Photographs by way of Mike Malizia
Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com collection by which we’re sharing enhancements, learnings and takeaways from newbie golfers identical to you — together with among the pace bumps and challenges they confronted alongside the best way.
For those who’re a mid-to-high handicapper like I’m, there’s an excellent probability you’re continuously attempting to enhance your golf swing. Whether or not that’s watching movies on-line, studying ideas right here on GOLF.com, or truly going by a lesson with a instructor every week, the grind definitely by no means stops.
In my expertise, the identical kind of swing flaws rear their ugly head again and again, which solely add frustration (and loads of strokes) to my golf recreation.
Simply after I suppose I’ve acquired issues discovered, I am going per week between hitting golf balls and, increase, I revert again to mishits and poor type. As I work in the direction of breaking 80 for the primary time, this sort of stuff halts any progress.
If solely there was a straightforward technique to repair these flaws as soon as and for all.
Whereas describing this very state of affairs to GOLF Prime 100 Instructor Mike Malizia, he didn’t simply remind me that “it’s a part of golf” to undergo such ebbs and flows; he additionally gave me a golf swing drill that ought to assist enhance my ball-striking. He was sort sufficient to share the small print under — so examine them out in case you’re battling some inconsistency like I’m.
An final golf swing drill to repair 2 widespread flaws
“All nice golf swings have a mix of physique pivot and arm swing, however the secret is mixing them collectively,” Malizia says. “For those who use all physique with no arm elevation, your swing turns into too shallow or flat. Conversely, in case you elevate and elevate your arms with out the rotation of the physique, your swing might be too steep and upright.
“Once they’re not used collectively, each of those flaws will trigger you to make compensating strikes to get well from errors within the golf swing.”
Malizia explains what tempo and timing within the golf swing ought to appear like — reminding newbie gamers that they really don’t imply the identical factor.
“Oftentimes, individuals make the error that tempo and timing imply the identical factor, however they’re utterly totally different,” he provides. “Tempo is the pace and tempo at which you swing. Timing is the synchronization of actions of the physique and arms.”
So what’s the distinction between physique pivot and arm swing? Malizia breaks issues down that can assist you perceive how one can mix them collectively into one fluid golf swing movement.
“On the subject of the physique, you might want to first obtain the right posture at deal with,” he says. “Keep in mind, the position of the physique is to rotate and tilt within the backswing, then shift your weight, and rotate and tilt on the downswing.”
Malizia explains the right position of the arms within the golf swing.
“The position of the arms is to remain passive early within the takeaway, then the lead arm stays pretty straight whereas the path arm begins to regularly fold — with each lifting and elevating to the highest of your backswing,” he explains. “As you shift your weight to your lead leg within the downswing, the arms have to decrease and get again down in entrance of the physique within the right supply place — which in the end determines your influence place.”
So how will you discover the proper stability of arm swing and physique pivot? Malizia exhibits off his final golf swing drill, which may be practiced from almost anyplace you could have area to swing a membership.
1. Because the picture under demonstrates, take your setup whereas inserting your lead foot towards a wall. Progressively choke down on the golf membership till the butt finish of the membership contacts your stomach.
2. Subsequent, make certain to rotate your physique, protecting the butt finish of the membership in touch along with your stomach till your lead hand will get simply previous your path leg.
3. On the prime of your backswing, permit the butt of the golf membership to disconnect out of your physique, whereas letting your path arm fold as you begin your downswing.
4. Lastly, the important thing within the downswing is to hit the wall along with your lead hip and the butt of the membership at the very same time. This teaches you how one can shift your weight, shallow the membership, and get your arm within the good supply place for influence.
So in case you’re scuffling with making constant contact and wish to break some widespread flaws, strive the above golf swing drill from Malizia. It’s certain to construct your confidence and assist practice your physique to do the correct factor when it’s go time.
Rukket Sports activities Pathfinder Impression Mat™
$69.99
Are you in search of a golf coaching mat to assist your golf recreation? The Rukket Pathfinder Impression Mat™ was designed with enter from skilled golfers and golf lecturers to assist gamers of all talents enhance their recreation. The strike mat tracks membership face alignment and helps guarantee clear contact with the ball whereas the froth pylons can be utilized to maintain your swing on airplane. Use all 4 pylons to apply hitting straighter pictures or take away pylons to apply hitting draw or fade pictures. It’s essentially the most versatile golf swing apply mat accessible and works with each membership in your bag!
Options
2-in-1 golf swing coaching mat combining the options of an influence mat / strike mat and a swing path coach to assist golfers shortly establish and proper widespread swing issues like hooks and slices.
It’s a golf swing influence / strike mat to assist establish and proper membership face alignment. Use the “velvet” turf to make sure you’re making clear contact with the ball.
It’s additionally a golf swing coaching help to assist with swing airplane alignment. Use it to repair a slice or a hook, and to apply hitting draw and fade pictures.
What’s within the Field
(1) Rukket Pathfinder Impression Mat™
(4) Foam Pylons
(1) Instruction Booklet
Product Specs
25in x 13in x 0.8in
RUKKET FAIR PLAY GUARANTEE & LIFETIME WARRANTY: At Rukket Sports activities we all know you got here to win. We additionally perceive that so as to win you might want to practice onerous, in order that’s why we’re proud to supply the Rukket Truthful Play Assure & Lifetime Guarantee for no-risk buying plus excellent USA-based customer support!
View Product