Tour winner shares nice drill for studying appropriate weight shift

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the perfect recommendation stands the take a look at of time. In GOLF.com’s new sequence, Timeless Suggestions, we’re highlighting a number of the best recommendation lecturers and gamers have allotted within the pages of GOLF Journal. As we speak we glance again at our July 1988 situation the place Peter Jacobsen shared a fantastic drill for correctly shifting your weight on tee pictures. For limitless entry to the total GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF at present; you’ll take pleasure in $140 of worth for less than $39.99/12 months.

Getting essentially the most out of your drives requires that you simply use your physique effectively. A part of that equation comes within the type of weight shift.

In case you watch the professionals hit their tee balls, you’ll discover they at all times end on their lead aspect. If you wish to hit the ball like them, you’d be smart to repeat this transfer — and all of it begins with a correct weight shift.

Again in 1988, GOLF Journal highlighted this transfer as Peter Jacobsen confirmed us a drill for correct weight shift. Over 30 years later and the drill can nonetheless do wonders on your sport. Test it out beneath.

Peter Jacobsen’s weight-shift drill

In case you are hitting weak “popcorn” drives, the issue may very well be your weight. I’m not suggesting that you simply go on a weight loss program however that you simply aren’t making the right shift to maneuver the total weight of your physique — and, subsequently, your energy — into the shot.

To understand the significance and the position my of the burden shift, take into consideration the way you throw a ball. You progress your weight in the identical course as your arm — to the again foot as you swing your arm again, to the entrance foot as you swing the arm ahead and launch the ball, pushing off the again foot for energy. The identical weight shift ought to occur in golf.

Gamers who don’t use their weight correctly make one in all two errors. One, they make a reverse shift, transferring the burden to the entrance foot (the left foot for right-handers) as they swing the membership again, then to the again foot through the downswing. Or two, they shift the burden correctly on the backswing however by no means shift it ahead coming down. In both case, by the point they attain the follow-through, they’re falling backward, away from the goal. And that’s the course their energy is transferring — away from the goal — leading to a weak, arms-only swing.

If these are your signs, there’s assist. Tee up a ball on the apply vary and swing at it along with your driver. As you progress into the follow-through, step ahead with the best foot, bringing it over the left as should you had been beginning to stroll down the green. Working this step into your swing will make you shift your weight correctly, and has been prompt by such educated folks as Gary Participant and educating skilled Peter Beames.

Taking an enormous step

At tackle, distribute your weight evenly between your toes and the balls and heels of your toes. Unfold them about shoulder-width and flex your knees barely till you’re feeling balanced.

On the backswing, your weight ought to circulate to the best aspect in order that on the prime about 90 p.c of it’s resting on the within of the best foot. If it doesn’t, and you’re feeling your self falling ahead on the backswing, redistribute your weight extra to the best aspect at tackle, and make sure your knees are flexed.

Swing down from the highest with out interested by a weight shift, then step ahead with the best foot within the follow-through. The step truly has little to do with the shot; the ball is gone by the point you’re taking it. However interested by the step to come back will encourage the right weight shift: You gained’t be capable of transfer the best leg with out transferring your weight to the left aspect on the downswing.

Maintain making apply swings with the best foot stepping over the left till you turn into accustomed to the sensation. Then strive a swing with out taking the step. The shift should be there, possibly not. If not, there’s nothing fallacious with incorporating the step into your common swing.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and enhancing. Previous to becoming a member of the staff at GOLF, he attended the College of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Affiliation, Group USA, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers newbie and ladies’s golf. He may be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.