For the visual learner, seeing the path a golf club takes before, during and after impact could be a great way to identify swing mistakes. The proper path is slightly inside the target line before hitting the ball and slightly to the left of the target line after impact as the forearms rotate on the follow-through. If you're between golf seasons and looking to practice, take a club out in the snow and try a few swings to see if your swing path needs work.
Step 1
Use an old club. Grips on golf clubs can take some moisture, but too much can ruin the tape underneath the grip, so don't try this with a club you plan to use in the spring.
Step 2
Make adjustments depending on the snowfall. Choke down on the club an inch or two if your feet are sinking a slight amount in snow. You can also adjust by finding a slight sidehill slope where the ball would sit lower than your feet.
Step 3
Use your snow shovel to smooth and pack the snow down where the ball would sit. Place the ball on the snow or get set up to take swings at an imaginary ball.
Step 4
Swing at about 70 percent of your full power. You're standing on slippery stuff, so don't overswing and lose your balance. An off-balance swing is a poor swing in any weather.
Step 5
Look down after your stroke and see the path the club made in the snow. Repack the snow for another test.
Tips and Warnings
- A path that starts outside the target line and cuts across the ball and finishes inside the target line would cause a fade or a slice, with the ball moving left to right (for right-handed golfers). A draw, where the ball moves right to left, is caused by an inside-to-outside swing path.
- It's cold outside in the snow, so don't swing too hard and pull a muscle that's not properly warmed up.
Member Comments