DRILLS THAT WORK
WALK-THROUGH DRILL
This drill is for golfers who tend to fall back on their back foot through impact and follow-through. Some teachers call it the “Gary Player drill.” As impact is made, the student steps forward towards the target with the back foot, “walking through” the shot.
STEP DRILL
This is helpful for golfers who need help with the timing of their transition. The golfer takes a normal set up, and before swinging back, places his front foot against the rear foot. As the club is nearing the top of the backswing, the front foot steps forward to its original position. This gives the player the feeling of when the lower body starts the downswing, which is just before the upper body has completed the backswing.
BASEBALL DRILL
This is similar to the step drill, but for a different purpose. This helps golfers who tend to reverse pivot by keeping their weight on the front foot during the backswing. Unlike the step drill, where the front foot is moved against the back foot prior to the swing, the baseball drill features the player moving the front foot against the back foot during the backswing, and then steps forward during the downswing. This actively gets the weight moving back during the backswing and forward during the forward swing. Please note: This is not a transition drill (see step drill).
SPLIT HANDS DRILL
Some players have tension and do not release the club properly. The player separates his hands on the grip a couple of inches (5 cm) and then swings. The player should rotate the hands and clubhead over during impact, producing a proper release.
STOP-SWING DRILL
This gets the lower body moving more quickly through the forward swing. The player takes a normal swing, and just after impact, stops the club so it goes no further than hip high, pointed to the target. It also serves as a transition drill.
FEET TOGETHER DRILL
The player hits balls with the feet together. This promotes good balance, and also lessens the tendency for the player to come over the top.
IMPACT BAG DRILL
The player swings full force into an impact bag. This drill can be used for a number of swing ills, as it basically forces the player to make a proper swing.
WEIGHT ON FRONT FOOT DRILL
Ideally, for chip shots, the weight stays on the front foot throughout the stroke. This drill is used when the player shifts his weight back during the backswing. Have the player assume a stance where they place most of the weight on the forward foot, and then move the back foot perpendicularly away from the target line behind them, with only the toe on the ground. This forces most of the player’s weight to stay on the front foot throughout the entire stroke.
