Turning during the golf swing

During the golf swing we turn around our spine. On the back swing my chest turns away from the target. My left shoulder moves towards my right knee. On the down swing my chest turns through and faces my target at the finish of the golf swing. Remember the back swing we turn away and the down swing we turn through. This will promote a powerful move by the impact position.

With a little work and practice

Patricia a second year player I teach has worked very hard on her golf swing over the past year. The video shows a wonderful golf swing in a short period of time. The drill you see before the full golf swing is a lag drill designed to hold the angle of the club on the down swing which creates more club head speed by impact and of course something everyone wants more distance. Well done Patricia.

Pitching the golf ball

When hitting a pitch shot the ball position is in the centre of the stance. At address my weight is slightly on my left foot (right foot for a left handed player) and kept there during the shot. The shaft of the club leans slightly towards the target at the address position as well. Hitting the pitch shot my head stays centred and steady. I feel my chest turning through the shot carrying the club square down the target line. This helps you keep the loft of the club consistent during the swing as well providing you with a soft landing pitch shot. Remember turn your chest through.

When putting the putter needs to be square to the path of the stroke through the hitting area. To practice this I use a 3 foot steel ruler. Place a golf ball on the one end of the ruler and roll the golf ball down the steel ruler attempting to make the 3 foot putt. If done correctly you will keep the putter square to the path of the stroke through the hitting area and the golf ball rolls downs the ruler and in to the hole.

I taught a Ladies Clinic May 31. The video is a great example of a well executed chip shot. You will see the club passes the golf ball after impact for an instant. When chipping think of the following fundamentals:
Body weight slightly towards target at the address position.
Shaft leans slightly to target at address.
Head centered and steady during the shot.
Brush the grass with the golf club on the down swing.
Keep the club face square to the line of target on the follow through.
When looking at the video you will see a great launch to the golf ball which will land soft.

A very well hit chip shot.

Ball Position

Keep your ball position simple. 7 iron thru wedges played from the middle of your stance. Mid irons and hybrids played from just in front of centre. Fairway metals 1 inch inside your front foot. Driver directly off your front heel.

 Simple Alignment

The illustration left shows the feet, knees, hips and shoulders running on a parallel line to that of the golf club and golf ball. The line furthest away from the golfer in the illustration is a reference line to help with setting alignment. Think of a railway track as you look at the foot line and the golf club and golf ball line. Alignment gives you direction. Direction gives you feedback.