Golf is a game of precision. Professional golfers and low-handicap amateurs hit with firm, stable left sides to produce plenty of power and low, piercing golf shots that penetrate the wind and either bound down the fairway or check up on the green. Hitting with a firm left side is an important element of a proper practice routine.
Ski Poles
One golf drill to teach the correct rotation -- and to force golfers to drive the ball with a firm left side and not slide through the ball -- is to place two ski poles just outside the golf stance. Golfers need to turn going back, creating tension and torque in the core, and drive through the ball by clearing your hips in the opposite direction. This drill prevents a slide forward and forces a firm left side.
Impact Bag
The impact bag is an essential instructional tool for firming up the left side. Impact bags are filled with sand or other heavy material. The object is to drive the club into the bag with the hands leading the clubface into the impact position. In order to achieve this position properly, the hips must rotate and the legs must drive through the ball. To complete this without sliding, the left side must be firm.
Golf Ball Heel
One easy drill to firm up the left side at impact is to place a golf ball underneath the outside of your right foot -- for right-handed golfers. This ensures that the weight stays inside throughout the swing. The goal of this drill is to transfer the weight efficiently from the back side to the front during the swing, while driving up and through the ball with a firm left side. Slide the weight out, or move the golf ball, and the left side will break down.
Full Extension
Simulating the positions of the golf swing can work wonders for firming up the left side at impact. Golfers need to extend the left arm fully down and out through the golf ball. One good drill is to simulate five swings with the arms fully extended and a straight left side -- exaggerated for the drill's sake so you can feel tension and stretch in the arms -- and then hit five golf balls trying to enter the same position at impact.
