Golfers call impact the moment of truth. There are countless backswing and downswing styles, but all great players utilize similar impact fundamentals. An otherwise good swing can produce a poor shot if impact is off. However, an otherwise flawed swing can produce a quality shot with good impact dynamics. Training impact requires a systematic process beginning with fitness and progressing to swing drills.
Wrist Training
For a right-handed player, impact requires left wrist flexion and right wrist extension. While holding one arm parallel to the ground, make a fist with your palm down. Point your fist to the ground. That position is flexion. Now point your fist to the sky. That position is extension. You can practice flexion and extension with light weights.
Lower Body Training
The lower body supports the wrists at impact. An effective drill for impact posture is the goblet squat. Set up with feet shoulder-width apart, and cradle the bottom of a kettlebell at mid-chest level. Perform the squat by lowering until the thighs are parallel to the ground. The feet should remain in the starting position and should not turn out to accommodate the downward movement.
Dress Rehearsal
In his book "Faults and Fixes," instructor David Leadbetter offers a drill to practice impact at home. Take your setup position in a doorway perpendicular to the frame. Set your club against one of the walls. Now push your hands forward and slightly open your body to your imagined target line. Consider this drill a dress rehearsal. The resistance of the wall against the clubhead mimics proper impact against the golf ball.
Impact Bag
The classic drill for impact involves the Impact Bag created by PGA instructor Dr. Gary Wiren. The drill is simple: Swing the club and hit the bag with the loudest strike possible. Note the feeling in your wrists when you strike the bag. To avoid injury, start with half swings and build to full swings.
Range Drills
Dave Phillips of the Titleist Performance Institute offers two drills for use at the range. First, set up with your driver with its headcover on. Drag the club along the ground through the hitting zone with your hands leading the clubhead. Second, reverse your hands on your grip. Practice swinging the club through the impact zone.
References
- "Positive Practice"; David Leadbetter; 1997
- "Great Golf Drills"; Dr. Gary Wiren; 2007
- "Early Release"; Dave Phillips; 2007
- "Faults and Fixes"; David Leadbetter; 1996
Member Comments