PRACTICING FROM ANGLED LIES WILL GET YOUR SWING BACK ON TRACK
For most golfers, consistently making solid contact is more dream than reality. This doesn't mean, however, that it's an unattainable goal. Getting the
club to move along the correct plane is the key to a successful swing. Ideally, you should swing the club on a plane that is consistent to the shaft's angle at address.
Most golfers fight swings that are too flat or too vertical. When your swing is too flat (1st photo), the club usually approaches the ball from too far inside the target line (1st photo inset)
resulting in a hook, push or topped shot. If you're not sure where your problems lie, get off that flat practice tee and head for the sloped sides of the range that-depending
on your tendency-will provide a quick solution to refine your swing.
FLAT SWING, BALL BELOW FEET
If you're swing plane is too flat, practice with the ball below your feet (3rd photo). When the
ball is below your feet, your spine angle becomes more tilted to address the ball, forcing your shoulders to turn on a more vertical plane during the backswing.
Keep your balance equally on your feet-don't lean back into the slope. During the swing, concentrate on allowing your arms to stay more in front of your body throughout the swing.
This should help you deliver the clubhead on a straighter path (3rd photo inset) and more solid contact should result. If the hooks and blocked shots to the right disappear, then you know
that your path is correctly matched to the shaft angle at address.
UPRIGHT SWING, BALL ABOVE FEET
If your swing plane is too upright, hit balls well above your feet (4th photo). When the ball is above your feet, your spine
angle will become more vertical, forcing your shoulders to swing on a flatter plane. Remember, the key to a flatter plane is to let your arms rotate. During
the backswing, the left arm rotates over the right; in the downswing, the arms rotate back to their original position so the club approaches the ball from just inside the target line (4th photo inset).
In the follow-through, the right forearm will rotate over the left. When you do this correctly, you'll make solid contact with the back of the ball from
inside the target line and the result will be a longer-flying, right-to-left draw. |
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If your swing is too flat, the club approaches from too far inside.
If your swing is too upright, the club approaches from too far outside.
Bend from the waist to create a more upright swing. Club will return along the target line.
Bend less from the waist to create a flatter swing. Club will return along the target line.
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