Step up to the plate with your golf swing
There are quite a few similarities between the golf swing and
the baseball swing. Each has specific motions that result in solid
contact with the ball. Sometimes a certain motion from one can help
with the other. Since I don’t teach batting and do teach golf, I
have a good drill that can help you hit a golf ball straighter and
a little farther.
Step up to the plate with your golf swing
There are quite a few similarities between the golf swing and the baseball swing. Each has specific motions that result in solid contact with the ball. Sometimes a certain motion from one can help with the other. Since I don’t teach batting and do teach golf, I have a good drill that can help you hit a golf ball straighter and a little farther.
The shifting of weight during the forward or down swing is one thing that is a common problem with the average golfer. I see people who know that they have to shift their weight to the left side (for the right-handed golfer) address the ball with eighty per-cent of their weight all ready on the left side. They take their back swing keeping weight on the left and when they start forward their natural instincts take over.
In order to hit the ball solid your head needs to be behind the ball so top players shift their weight away from their target and end up hitting the ball standing on their back feet at or before impact. It would be like leaning back as you threw a ball.
Here is an effective drill to create the type of weight shift you need in golf thanks to a bit of baseball. Take a normal address position with a mid iron and tee up a golf ball. Slide your left foot up against your right foot as you begin your back swing. When your club reaches waist level step forward like a batter striding into a pitch.
Your club head will be moving backwards as your lower body is moving forward thus increasing wrist cocking and prevents your right shoulder from casting out and over the ball. This will create a complete weight shift to your left side. Most of us played baseball before we played golf so this should make it easier to do. I may not be able to help Barry Bonds hit a baseball (wish I could right now) but I bet I could help him hit a golf ball as far as Tiger Woods.
Just a reminder, any police officer, firefighter or active military personnel is invited to play Eagle Ridge GC Monday through Thursday for half price, so please come see us. Have any golf related questions? From rules to club fitting you can call me at 408-846-4531 or e-mail me at
sk*****@ea**********.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 instructor, we will help. Golf is more fun when you’re improving. Don’t be afraid to be good.
