Winter Practice Fun - James Martin - CGA Qualified CoachWinter Practise Fun
Just because the summer has drifted away, doesn’t mean the clubs must be tucked into the cupboard under the stairs. This time of year is one of the most exciting for preparing for your best ever year next year.
I am going to look with you at the roll of the clubface and how you can influence the flight and direction of the ball on purpose!!
We have all hooked and sliced and wondered how and why?
The answer - The Clubface.
Commit to the following exercise, which whilst at first may appear a bit ‘whacky’, will really have you developing enhanced feel for your swing which will lead to greater confidence in the future.
To begin, go to the driving range and once warmed up, open the clubface up and swing as normal. Then close the clubface and do the same. Note what happens to the flight of the ball?
Then take your set up with the clubface in its normal position and try to open or close the clubface during the swing. This should only be a subtle movement to feel the change. DO NOT alter the grip during the swing. Allow yourself a little time to get the hang of this.
For those of you lucky enough to have a practise buddy, you can now begin to play the game. Whilst you are making your backswing, it is you buddies job to call out the shot they want you to hit. They have three choices – Hook, Slice or Straight.
You now only have a tiny amount of time to make the adjustments and ‘feel’ the changes required. You might be amazed how good you can get.
Now you should be seeing some very different results. Try to “feel” the differences in your hands and also your balance so you can call upon these shots on the course if a stray tree appears in your path and you are required to manoeuvre the ball around it.
It is not only hooks and slices that can be hit with this practise drill. You can also master the high and low shots.
Go through the same process as you did for the open and closed but this time starting with your hands ahead of the clubface at address (taking some loft off) and also with them sitting slightly behind (adding some loft)
Run through each step and you should be hitting it high or low to order.
For those who want to stretch themselves a little more – combine the highs and lows with the hooks and slices and try the game with this. I think you will be amazed at what you can achieve by just spending some time and focus on one thing.
Good luck.
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