WHEN WORKING ON
THE GOLF SWING, I like to begin
with small swings first.
In doing things this way, I find that golfers
are more likely to understand the change, feel
the change and get into more effective impact
alignments.
This approach is similar to the way we have learned
just about everything in our lives. Crawl first,
then dare to walk and in no time you are running.
I enjoy this method of teaching because it allows
for change to happen and leads to better long-term
results. Let’s face it, if we can’t
chip the ball properly, then we will have a difficult
time pitching it and no doubt struggle with a
full-swing 6-iron, fairway wood or driver. Here
are some things to look for through this progression.
SMALL
Small swings consist of chipping and shorter impact-zone
swings. These smaller motions educate the hands,
arms and body alignment at impact.
When chipping the ball, make sure your right
wrist is bent at impact. This will keep the clubshaft
forward at impact and result in a descending clubhead
motion in support of the right wrist being bent,
allowing the body to turn toward the target and
secure more weight into the lead foot.
After chipping, try some impact-zone swings.
These consist of a frame in which the backswing
only travels back to waist-high and then through
to an abbreviated post impact in which both arms
are straight.
When performing impact-zone swings, take your
normal full-swing setup. These types of swings
will allow for a bit more backswing and a little
more wrist hinge.
The importance of the impact zone is to feel
and have success with good impact alignment. This
alignment will consist of a bent right wrist resulting
in a descending clubhead motion, as well as a
supportive body weight that has shifted and rotated
to the left side. Much like what you when chipping,
try holding the finish down low similar to a punch
shot in order to secure that the clubhead is moving
down.
MEDIUM
After conquering the small swings, you are ready
to move into some medium swings, taking the swing
a little higher and adding more speed. To do this,
we must introduce the sequence of motion concerning
the body. We call this the “pivot.”
The sequence of motion is defined by three simple
terms — load, shift and rotate. The first
step is called the “loading phase.”
This takes place during the backswing through
the turning of the shoulders around a stable lower
body. As this motion happens, you will feel more
weight load up onto the right side.
Next, the downswing occurs by shifting the weight
through the lower body toward the target. The
downswing does not start by turning the body but
rather by the weight shift onto the left foot.
As this happens, you will feel the trailing shoulder
drop lower to pre-impact. Once the weight has
shifted onto the left foot, you are ready to rotate
the body through impact and all the way to a full
finish.
By adding the full pivot of the body, you will
be making medium swings in which the body has
increased the overall frame, propelling the clubhead
faster. Work on medium swings with short to mid
irons. As you add the sequence of motion, be sure
you still achieve the forward lean of the clubshaft
at impact through the bent right wrist trained
from the small swing.
LARGE
You are now ready for the big swing with the driver.
The only difference with the driver swing lies
in the setup. With the driver, you want to play
the ball forward in the stance with the clubshaft
more in line with the clubhead, rather than being
forward at address. This change in the clubshaft
will allow the clubhead to strike the ball on
a more level impact point and not with a descending
blow.
The reality is if you take the time to work on
the pivot with the iron first, then it will be
much easier to achieve the sequence of the pivot
and solid contact with the driver.
I am a big believer in starting small and working
your way up. Try it for yourself and I’m
sure you’ll be pleased with the results.
