Learning to Draw
If you have been around golf long enough you know that if you
want to draw the ball, the path down should be from inside the
target line to outside. This produces a draw, which means the
ball’s spin is pulling it towards your target, not away. To learn
to draw the ball is what most people who slice the ball are trying
to do with little or no success. You have to swing on that path
hundreds of times to train yourself so that it happens on its
own.
Learning to Draw
If you have been around golf long enough you know that if you want to draw the ball, the path down should be from inside the target line to outside. This produces a draw, which means the ball’s spin is pulling it towards your target, not away. To learn to draw the ball is what most people who slice the ball are trying to do with little or no success. You have to swing on that path hundreds of times to train yourself so that it happens on its own.
I’ll give you a simple practice drill that can get you started on the right path. I want you to do this until you can do it five times in a row before you actually hit a ball. Get a bucket of range balls and a handful of tees. Lay a club down at your feet so you will always line up the same way each swing. Get into an address position, but instead of a ball lay a tee on the ground and make it point right of your target (for a right handed golfer).
Do this very slow at first: Swing and try and hit the back of the tee in the direction it is pointed. To do this you will need an inside-out swing path. If you start out swinging fast, you are just making it tougher to do. (Walk before you run, grasshopper.) The object is to do it correctly, then pick up the pace. Make sure your hands are rolling over through impact and not pushing the tee left. Your golf ball will do the same thing. Once you have done this five times, hit 10 balls and see if you have started to improve your path. If you just improve your path into the ball, you will gain distance, and hitting a six iron in is better than a five any day.
Just a reminder – any police officer, firefighter or active military personnel can play Eagle Ridge GC Monday – Thursday for half price, so please come see us. Eagle Ridge’s Mini Course is open every Sunday at 2 p.m. for kids 12 and under. $5 for all the holes you want to play and we provide clubs, balls and tees. Have any golf-related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at sk*****@**********gc.com. If you would like to read some of my past tips, you can do so at www.pinnaclenews.com. And don’t forget, if you’re not having fun playing golf call your local PGA or LPGA instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
