Delo’s Divots: At a point right after impact, the right arm and
shaft of the club should be a straight line pointing at the target.
This extension down the line adds power and improves accuracy to
the shot.
Many good players hold the club differently, have different posture and even longer or shorter back swings. But the key fundamental to striking the ball straight, long and consistent is extending the swing down the target line after impact.
Watch the hammer throw at a track and field meet; the athlete will fully extend his arms to get the maximum velocity out of his throw. Watch a home-run swing and see the arms and bat at a straight line through impact with the ball.
The golf swing is the same. At a point right after impact, the right arm and shaft of the club should be a straight line pointing at the target. This extension down the line adds power and improves accuracy to the shot.
Most of us “cut off” the finish of the swing, ending way to the left of the target line and, for righties, often in front of the left hip. This move crowds your arms against your body and seriously diminishes your power.
Extending down the line gets a little tougher the older we get. However, if you practice extending and pointing the club at the target, you will hit the ball longer and straighter.
Don DeLorenzo is a PGA-certified instructor at Gilroy Golf Course. To schedule a lesson with Don, call Gilroy GC at (408) 848-0490.
