This article was published this past week on Golf.com written by Morgan Hale, Zephyr Melton and me. I hope you enjoy. You can read it here. (Golf.com article)
A lot of players have the right instinct about what’s wrong with their swing. The problems stay around when you apply a superficial “solution” that doesn’t address the real issue.
Best example? Tons of amateurs scoop at the ball through impact. It translates into a weak hit with too much loft and (usually) an open face. It only takes a few of those before you start trying to do something to address it. Usually, that means shoving the handle toward the target in an effort to remove the scoop. You might be able to get away with that on a short pitch or chip, but when you add size and speed to the swing, that handle shove actually makes you scoop it more because your body responds by backing out of the shot. You have to dump the clubhead just to avoid hitting the ground six inches behind the ball.
The real cause of most scooping has nothing to do with your hands or your release. It happens because you aren’t rotating in a way that gets the club to the low point in front of the ball through impact.
Working with my teaching partner, Morgan Hale, we addressed this exact problem in the video you see here. Watch how to not Scoop! The student was stalling his rotation, standing up out of his posture and using his hands to try to create more hitting speed.
That doesn’t work!
We gave him a series of three easy drills to improve his rotation, create a real pivot and get his center turning to the left (for a right-handed player).
1. Turn And Stretch
Pull an exercise band tight against your chest by extending your arms completely, then make some slow backswings and through-swings as you keep the band fully stretch. If you stop rotating or make an over-the-top move, you’ll instantly lose the stretch on the band.
2. Push with Precision
Many people do a good job pushing with their trail foot during the downswing, but they do that and slide everything toward the target. Pushing is good, but you need to add in the feel of pushing your lead hip back. Have a friend stand to the side and hold a club shaft or an alignment stick in front of your lead hip. As you make practice swings with no club, make sure you’re turning through in a way that doesn’t bump your lead hip into the club.
3. Lawn Mower Stretch
Another way to feel that is to have somebody stand in front of you holding the stretch band on the ground with their foot where the ball would be. Hold the other end of the band in your lead hand, and when you make your downswing, pull that stretch band tight, like you’re starting a lawn mower. The effort it takes to create the tension will encourage you to rotate and push that lead hip back instead of sliding it toward the target.
Even 10 minutes with these three drills each time you practice will make an immediate change to the way your clubhead moves through impact. You’ll make better contact with less loft while still producing more height thanks to the increased speed you’re generating.
Who doesn’t want to hit it farther and straighter?
What we are watching
Here’s a video that a lot of golfers could benefit from. If you struggle sliding off the ball or with a reverse pivot this video most likely help you make a better backswing pivot! Watch this video and see how Morgan Hale and I help this student wind up in the backswing.
Stable lower body better backswing!
What I’m listening too
Kevin Sprecher and Connor Luke sit down with me for a Tour Coach Podcast that will resonate with a lot of you. We got on the topic of ‘why don’t people get better at golf?’ We ask some tough questions and find some answers for all of you. If you wonder why you work at the game but don’t get better this is worth a listen.
Why don’t people get better at golf?
Upcoming Retreat Schedule: Florida, Philly & Bay Point
March 21-22 featuring Tony Ruggiero, Wayne Flint, Morgan Hale and other special guests. This is a great Retreat for anyone wanting to get better. (Boca Raton, Fla.) Email or text for information and to reserve a spot.
April 18-19: We are going back to Bay Point in Panama City Beach. I am excited to be back for this Junior Retreat and Player Development Session with Jackson Koert, Morgan Hale and me along with some other special guests. We also have lodging available for juniors and can help with transportation.
VIP junior mark your calendars June 11-13 in South Florida. Details coming soon. Limited to 16 elite juniors. Our Annual VIP Camp will feature Tony Ruggiero, Wayne Flint, Kevin Kirk, Don Cooper, special guests and players.
July 18-19 VIP Retreat at Blue Bell G.C in Philadelphia! Staff and special guests TBA. Lodging on site available as well.
For information on any of these retreats please email or text Liz or me. Here is a look at my upcoming calendar if you would like a time slot to come see me please email liz@dewsweepersgolf.com or text 850.225.1631.
March
Old Palm 4-8, 12-15, 18-22 location TBA
Mobile and Preserve Dates:
Mobile 2-7 Mobile and the Preserve
Mobile 16-18th
Mobile 26-29th
Philly at Blue Bell
April 14-15
May 8-10
Click here for the full schedule, and we’ll get something on the books.
Now go knock it in the hole,
Tony
