Pay attention to the left side
You can probably find as many golf instruction books that will
tell you to push the club through the ball as to pull, or that the
right side dominates the left. The only arm that truly swings in
the golf swing is the left (for right-handed golfers), the right
arm drives towards the target. While some people are able to push
the club effectively towards their intended target, the right hand
when pushing is prone to turn clock-wise and increase the chances
of opening the face at impact.
Pay attention to the left side
You can probably find as many golf instruction books that will tell you to push the club through the ball as to pull, or that the right side dominates the left. The only arm that truly swings in the golf swing is the left (for right-handed golfers), the right arm drives towards the target. While some people are able to push the club effectively towards their intended target, the right hand when pushing is prone to turn clock-wise and increase the chances of opening the face at impact.
Most golfers are right handed and are more right side aware. In golf that is not always a good thing. There are a lot of opposites in golf; you hit down on the ball to make it go up, the lowest score wins, the harder you try and hit the ball, the shorter it goes. In golf there can be a real benefit to being more aware of our left side. Please keep this in mind; the things I talk about in these tips need to be worked on at the practice range before you try them under the gun on the course. You have to learn to drive a car five miles an hour so you can drive it at sixty-five. Five miles an hour is the practice range.
Just like all things in golf just to learn the mechanics won’t let this hold up on the course for long. The only way it will work consistently is when you make it a feeling and you will only learn this feeling by repetition. Here is how you begin to learn to pull through rather than push. Take your seven-iron, get into address position – no ball is required here. Now firm up your left side. You need to feel that your arm and club are one piece, firm but not like steel. Take your back swing and when you get to the top and begin the forward swing, let go of the club with your right hand and pull the club through to finish with your left. Let you body react to the swinging of the club and finish with your club behind your neck.
Do this until you can feel the tempo that lets you finish with your hip, knees and shoulders facing your target and in balance. Repetition is the key so don’t just do it once or twice. Hit fifty balls, balance out the swings and the ball striking. If you want to learn this, commit to it because, you can learn anything you want.
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.
