One Swing for All?
Every so often I update and refresh my teaching manuals with new ways of making learning for my students simpler. I try, on most occasions, to have the golfer check their grip at chin level as part of their routine, look down the target line from
behind the ball, and then assume their stance, ready to go. This is all very professional, from the improving novice to current tour players. The golfer can see what a good grip looks like, and good shape (posture) is maintained with the club held at chin level.
Recently, a lady pupil of mine came to me for a lesson, and I noticed she adopted this routine. The lady was a right-hander, and every shot went straight right. Her grip was good, as was her posture. The problem was the setup. She was aiming 40 yards left of the target. As we all know, ladies are shaped a little differently from gents, in a nice way.
So, I asked her to assume her address position to the ball with her target hand only. I then asked her to take hold with the right hand (non-target hand), but put the right arm “under.” Then I asked her to swing, and the ball then flew right to centre. We repeated this for a few shots, and guess what? No more tree scurrying.
The problem was that when the lady was aiming 40 yards left, the right side was in the way, so she could not turn away from the ball. By introducing one of my “lady” set- ups, she was able to turn freely on both sides of the ball. A good result! This happened only because I was teaching the individual and knew what this pupil required to improve. The moral is that we must teach “different strokes for different folks.”
Here is a test to keep us all on our toes and keep us up to speed with our teaching methods. Highlight some of the most common faults you have encountered during your years of teaching. Pick one aspect or subject and write six drills to teach for all standards. Remember, top tour players can have the same problems as the average golfer. Here is an example which may help you understand the task in hand:
PROBLEM/FAULT: The golfer’s hips slide away from the target on the backswing. Drills: Place two umbrellas in the ground, one outside the target foot and one outside the non-target foot. We can also use canes, chairs, or such similar aids to ensure your student can feel the correct hip movement on the backswing.
- “Toe in” non-target foot (angle to suit ability/capability).
- Place a wooden/rubber wedge or an upturned iron under the outsideof the non-target foot.
- Pull non-target toe back in line with target heel.
- Have your student address the ball with their feet approximately 10inches apart and make half-swings.
- Have your student address the ball and take the non-target heel offthe ground where the ball of the foot is supporting the non-target side.All drills must be performed with no more than an 8-iron with the emphasis on half-swings only. All of the above can be used for golfers of all standards. It is up to us to decide which one is applicable depending on the standard of the golfer and their capabilities.Negative is not a word in my vocabulary. Many a time I have heard a teaching pro commenting on a student’s shot, “Not bad.” Not and bad – two negatives. I always explain to my pupil that I will not comment on all shots. The ones you didn’t like – forget them. Let’s work on the ones we like and develop the positive.
