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Rip One Golf- Golf Instruction, Golf Coaching, Golf Classes and Golf Lessons in Austin, TX

Garry Rippy Golf offers golf lessons, golf coaching, golf instruction, golf classes and golf schools in Austin, TX. This blog contains golf instruction articles, golf tips and golf instruction videos by Garry Rippy, PGA.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Drill to Improve your Path

This drill will help you improve the path of your golf swing and in particular it will help the golfer that tends to take the club "outside" on the backswing or comes "over the top" on the downswing.  I use three alignment rods;  one is on the ground representing the target line, one is positioned about an inch or two outside the golf ball, parallel to the target line and at a 45 degree angle and one is positioned about six inches in front of the ball and about four inches to the left of it, aimed slightly left of the target and at 30 degree angle.  When setting up this configuration always tee the ball so you won't have to move the rods after each shot.   You may use any short or mid iron for this drill.


When using alignment rods for any drill you want to start with slow practice swings.  The goal of this drill is to not strike the rod on the right in the backswing nor strike the rod on the left in the downswing.



If the top of the yellow rod was 12:00 and the bottom of the rod 6:00, you would want to feel that you are swinging from 7:00 to 1:00 on the downswing.  In addition, the release of the wrists is very important.  You should feel a sense of rehinging the wrists on the follow through.  In the sequence below note how I have a hinge, rehinge of the wrists from the backswing to follow through.



After some reps on the practice tee you will develop a great path and straighter shots!


Path Drill Video



Body Awareness Drill for Proper Impact Position

I have found it best to sometimes feel correct golf swing positions without the use of a club or the intimidation of the golf ball.  

The following pictures demonstrate early release of the wrists, breakdown of the lead wrist (scooping) and loss of arm structure which causes the dreaded chicken wing.  Any of these positions will cause a variety of poor shots.


The following drill will help alleviate these positions and all you need is a wall, fence or a high back chair.

Set up with your target side of your torso an inch or two from the wall.  Let your arms hang freely and separate your hands a few inches apart.   As you swing your arms to the top of the backswing allow your hips to rotate.  As you swing the arms slowly to impact with the wall you will feel your hips rotating more to the target than your shoulders.  You will have most of your weight on the lead leg and it will be extended slightly.  Your trail foot will be positioned mostly on the tip toe and your trail knee will be close to the lead knee.  As your lead hand makes contact with the wall the lead wrist will be flat the the trail wrist bent.



You may also add a club to enhance the visual just be sure and grip it on the opposite end and swing slowly.  The club and lead wrist will be flat on the wall at impact.


Repeat this drill everyday and you will be ready to take this new feel to the practice tee.  I recommend 
making practice swings between each ball you hit and this will help you engrain the correct impact position.