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10 simple drills to correct complex faults

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There is certainly no shortage of golf training aids on the market, and some are quite good. I have used a few over the years, but mostly I stick to drills that can be done anywhere with little or no equipment.

My reasoning? I like to get my students to feel what they need to do while holding their own clubs and swinging at real golf balls, and I like to use the natural setting of the range or golf course to re-train swings.

Below, I’ve listed 10 of my favorite drills that my goflers have used to get better over the years. Chances are, one of the drills below can help you get on the path to better golf. If you’re struggling, there’s no reason not to give one of them (or a few of them) a try. They can be done just about any time, anywhere and won’t cost you a dime.

The Release Drill

10 simple drills to correct complex faults

Golfers hear a lot about release, but it is still quite confusing to many of them. Basically, the release involves unhinging the wrists and rolling the forearms into the shot. It can be difficult to square the face when one is swinging on too steep of a vertical plane due to the fact that the forearms “reverse rotate,” which for a right-handed golfer involves a high left arm and a low right arm (the “held off” look in the finish). If you do that, you need to feel the proper rotation of the arms in the downswing.

So try this: Place your left hand (for righties) on the grip in its usual place. Then place your right hand down on the shaft and make some swings. Start about waist high, like you’re making a baseball swing. Then bend at the waist and try a few golf-looking swings. Take note of what your arms are doing. You will feel the right forearm rolling drastically over the left. Then do it less severely: both hands on grip but still split apart. Then ease into your regular grip and see if you can get that same feeling. In fact, you might even hit some balls with a slightly split grip!

The Back to the Target Drill

The myriad of players who come “over the top” and are working on swinging more from the inside might try this drill.

Set up square to the target. Now turn 45 degrees to your right (if you’re a righty) with your back basically turned facing the target. Now aim the club face slightly to the right of the target (about half the amount of your body) and try to make some swings along your body line. This, of course, will be well “inside-out” of the target line. You should start to see the ball draw a little. Once you’re able to do that consistently, work your swing direction back toward the target line. 

The Ball on a High Tee Drill

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I use this a lot for swings that start down too steeply with the butt end of the shaft pointed straight at the ground — not at the ball or outside it — and for people who have difficulty making a level backswing turn.  Learn to make some baseball-type swings; feel like you’re playing tee-ball (kids game) and you’ll develop a lower arm swing into impact.

Take note that this drill is similar to the sidehill drill listed below with the ball above your the feet.

The Swish Drill

The Swish Drill is as easy as it gets. Many golfers move their upper bodies OUT before they start their arms DOWN. If you’re one of them try this: Take a fairly aggressive practice swing and listen for the swish sound. Now, try to hear the swish well behind you!

The Swish Drill is a good way to learn to get your arms down a little earlier in the downswing, and more from the inside. For those of you with a release that is too early and casting from the inside, listen for the swish well out in front of you. This will keep you from releasing too early.

The Feet Together Drill

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I have seen just about every swing type imaginable over my many years on the lesson tee. Basically, they break down into two groups: Players with too much arm swing and those with too much body movement.

This drill is for the latter group: If the arms are too “locked up” to the body with insufficient swinging action, try this: Put your two feet together (touching each other) and hit some 6 irons or 7 irons. Do it off a low tee until you get a feel for it. You’ll notice that when you overuse the body (swaying, dipping, getting in front of the ball, etc.) you’ll lose your balance. Use this drill to get a FREE arm swing. You’ll also notice that you’re hitting the ball darn near as far as you do in a regular stance!

The Driver Off The Ground Drill

This is used mostly for the more advanced player, but effective in any case. For those of you who release too early and come too much from the inside, try this drill: Hit some drivers without a tee. You’ll find it necessary to move the golf ball well forward in your stance and slightly open the club face. Basically, you’ll be hitting out-to-in slices, but you will feel what swinging more left is like.

Moguls

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I am convinced that most every swing shape can be re-trained on a hill: a simple grass covered, dirt mound like a skiing mogul. The hill will create every uneven lie encountered in golf. Here’s the ones you may consider using:

  • If your swing is too upright, hit balls on the sidehill with the ball ABOVE your feet.
  • If your swing is too flat, hit balls on the sidehill with the golf ball BELOW your feet.
  • Do you tend to release too early or come from under the plane? The downhill lie is your drill.
  • Do you tend to come over the top or get in front of the golf ball? The uphill lie is perfect for that.

The Tee Drill

Having trouble shanking the ball or hitting shots off the toe of the club? Try this simple drill: For shanks or heel hits, place a tee INSIDE the ball and try to hit it! For toe hits, place a tee OUTSIDE the ball and try to hit it. It will give a sense of doing the opposite of what you are used to doing (which is what drills are for anyway)!

The Upswing Drill

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This is one of my favorites. If done correctly, it is VERY effective. If out-to-in is your swing flaw, try this: Take a normal stance with a driver and place the club on the ground in line with your right heel (for righties) about 3 feet away. Now make some swings SHARPLY UP to right field (or well to the right or where you’re aiming.

Note: The swings must be very acutely UP! Do several of these and you’ll feel a new path, and a new shallow angle of attack for those too steep. Remember UP and IN-TO-OUT!

The Anti-Yip Drill

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Some golfers get a condition we call the chipping yips, which are a sudden flip of the wrists that causes the club head to get well ahead of the hands. It results in chilly dips, double hits, etc. Try this: Chip a bag of balls with your eyes closed. Chip another bag with a cross-handed grip (also known as a left-hand low grip). Heck, chip a bag doing both if you want. See if this helps your problem.

There are hundreds of drills, these are just some of the most common I use. When doing any drill, you CANNOT do too much of it. In fact, you cannot overdo any swing change at first, so EXAGGERATE AWAY!

One last thought: If you find that one of these drills helps you, stay with it. But don’t pass it on to a friends unless they have the same swing problem as you.

As always, feel free to send a swing video to my Facebook page and I will do my best to give you my feedback.

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Dennis Clark is a PGA Master Professional. Clark has taught the game of golf for more than 30 years to golfers all across the country, and is recognized as one of the leading teachers in the country by all the major golf publications. He is also is a seven-time PGA award winner who has earned the following distinctions: -- Teacher of the Year, Philadelphia Section PGA -- Teacher of the Year, Golfers Journal -- Top Teacher in Pennsylvania, Golf Magazine -- Top Teacher in Mid Atlantic Region, Golf Digest -- Earned PGA Advanced Specialty certification in Teaching/Coaching Golf -- Achieved Master Professional Status (held by less than 2 percent of PGA members) -- PGA Merchandiser of the Year, Tri State Section PGA -- Golf Professional of the Year, Tri State Section PGA -- Presidents Plaque Award for Promotion and Growth of the Game of Golf -- Junior Golf Leader, Tri State section PGA -- Served on Tri State PGA Board of Directors. Clark is also former Director of Golf and Instruction at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Dennis now teaches at Bobby Clampett's Impact Zone Golf Indoor Performance Center in Naples, FL. .

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Martin

    Mar 15, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Thanks for the great article Dennis. I spent a few evenings doing the “back to the target” drill in my den and I can now draw the ball. I’ve been a serial slicer in the past, but now I finally feel like I have some control over the curvature of my shots. I think after about fifteen more buckets of range balls I should be good to go. Thanks again!

    • Dennis Clark

      Mar 18, 2014 at 5:11 pm

      You’re welcome; that drill, done correctly, is the BEST anti-slice drill there is.

  2. Mike

    Mar 1, 2014 at 6:04 pm

    I really need the “Back to target” drill. I reread it four times and I just didn’t get it. I got back to target, no problem. But then aim the club face just right of that target Behring you? Totally lost. Is it just me?

    • Dennis Clark

      Mar 1, 2014 at 6:13 pm

      It doesn’t read just right of the target behind you…it reads “just right of the target” Meaning this: let’s say the target is 12 o’clock. Aim your body line at 2 or 3, and your club face at 1. If the body is aimed right of the face and you swing along your body, it will be in to out relative to the face. And produce a draw/hook. Got it?

  3. RG

    Mar 1, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Always a pleasure to read your articles, Dennis. All killer, no filler.

    • Dennis Clark

      Mar 1, 2014 at 6:04 pm

      Just like my lessons :). Come on by if you’re in FL. Thx.

  4. Andy

    Feb 27, 2014 at 10:18 pm

    Dennis, you are my favourite GolfWRX contributor. Every single one of your posts are matter-of-fact, no beating around the bush information. Your drills are effective and most importantly, applicable. Your articles inspire me to become a better golfer.

    Thanks and keep up the good work.

    • Dennis Clark

      Feb 28, 2014 at 7:37 am

      Thx Andy. That’s why I write them!!

  5. mark

    Feb 27, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    As a teacher also excellent and simple

    • Dennis Clark

      Feb 27, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      Thx. A teacher should know the subject in all it’s complexity and teach it in all it’s simplicity.

      • Andy

        Feb 27, 2014 at 11:28 pm

        Einstein was talking about golf when he was talking about that.

        • Dennis Clark

          Feb 28, 2014 at 9:31 pm

          Now there would be a fun lesson! He gets to ask about golf and I get to ask about everything else. I loved his pacifist ideals..

  6. Tristan Stijn

    Feb 27, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    Thanks for the drills! For some golfers this is much better than theory.

    Just don’t quite get the upswing drill, can someone explain this in other words. Do I just place the club like in the picture and start a swing from there? A push in this case?

    • Dennis Clark

      Feb 27, 2014 at 7:05 pm

      Yes, it is hard to describe but easy to do; maybe I’ll do a video to illustrate it better. Place the club as I’ve show, then swing sharply up to say, 2 o’clock if your target is 12. Does that help? Or swing UP at the first baseman if you’re at home plate…I hope you get the picture

      • Tristan Stijn

        Feb 28, 2014 at 3:32 pm

        Thanks Dennis! Went to the range today and it really works. From the position on your picture I take the club straight up to the normal top of the backswing and than swing in to out. Somehow it changes your path for the better. Thanks again, great drill!

  7. David Smith

    Feb 27, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Very good, thank you for these drills!

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Instruction

Clement: Stop ripping off your swing with this drill!

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Not the dreaded headcover under the armpit drill! As if your body is defective and can’t function by itself! Have you seen how incredible the human machine is with all the incredible feats of agility all kinds of athletes are accomplishing? You think your body is so defective (the good Lord is laughing his head off at you) that it needs a headcover tucked under the armpit so you can swing like T-Rex?

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How a towel can fix your golf swing

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This is a classic drill that has been used for decades. However, the world of marketed training aids has grown so much during that time that this simple practice has been virtually forgotten. Because why teach people how to play golf using everyday items when you can create and sell a product that reinforces the same thing? Nevertheless, I am here to give you helpful advice without running to the nearest Edwin Watts or adding something to your Amazon cart.

For the “scoring clubs,” having a solid connection between the arms and body during the swing, especially through impact, is paramount to creating long-lasting consistency. And keeping that connection throughout the swing helps rotate the shoulders more to generate more power to help you hit it farther. So, how does this drill work, and what will your game benefit from it? Well, let’s get into it.

Setup

You can use this for basic chip shots up to complete swings. I use this with every club in my bag, up to a 9 or 8-iron. It’s natural to create incrementally more separation between the arms and body as you progress up the set. So doing this with a high iron or a wood is not recommended.

While you set up to hit a ball, simply tuck the towel underneath both armpits. The length of the towel will determine how tight it will be across your chest but don’t make it so loose that it gets in the way of your vision. After both sides are tucked, make some focused swings, keeping both arms firmly connected to the body during the backswing and follow through. (Note: It’s normal to lose connection on your lead arm during your finishing pose.) When you’re ready, put a ball in the way of those swings and get to work.

Get a Better Shoulder Turn

Many of us struggle to have proper shoulder rotation in our golf swing, especially during long layoffs. Making a swing that is all arms and no shoulders is a surefire way to have less control with wedges and less distance with full swings. Notice how I can get in a similar-looking position in both 60° wedge photos. However, one is weak and uncontrollable, while the other is strong and connected. One allows me to use my larger muscles to create my swing, and one doesn’t. The follow-through is another critical point where having a good connection, as well as solid shoulder rotation, is a must. This drill is great for those who tend to have a “chicken wing” form in their lead arm, which happens when it becomes separated from the body through impact.

In full swings, getting your shoulders to rotate in your golf swing is a great way to reinforce proper weight distribution. If your swing is all arms, it’s much harder to get your weight to naturally shift to the inside part of your trail foot in the backswing. Sure, you could make the mistake of “sliding” to get weight on your back foot, but that doesn’t fix the issue. You must turn into your trial leg to generate power. Additionally, look at the difference in separation between my hands and my head in the 8-iron examples. The green picture has more separation and has my hands lower. This will help me lessen my angle of attack and make it easier to hit the inside part of the golf ball, rather than the over-the-top move that the other picture produces.

Stay Better Connected in the Backswing

When you don’t keep everything in your upper body working as one, getting to a good spot at the top of your swing is very hard to do. It would take impeccable timing along with great hand-eye coordination to hit quality shots with any sort of regularity if the arms are working separately from the body.

Notice in the red pictures of both my 60-degree wedge and 8-iron how high my hands are and the fact you can clearly see my shoulder through the gap in my arms. That has happened because the right arm, just above my elbow, has become totally disconnected from my body. That separation causes me to lift my hands as well as lose some of the extension in my left arm. This has been corrected in the green pictures by using this drill to reinforce that connection. It will also make you focus on keeping the lead arm close to your body as well. Because the moment either one loses that relationship, the towel falls.

Conclusion

I have been diligent this year in finding a few drills that target some of the issues that plague my golf game; either by simply forgetting fundamental things or by coming to terms with the faults that have bitten me my whole career. I have found that having a few drills to fall back on to reinforce certain feelings helps me find my game a little easier, and the “towel drill” is most definitely one of them.

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Instruction

Clement: Why your practice swing never sucks

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You hear that one all the time; I wish I could put my practice swing on the ball! We explain the huge importance of what to focus on to allow the ball to be perfectly in the way of your practice swing. Enjoy!

 

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