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Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however the perfect recommendation stands the check of time. In GOLF.com’s new collection, Timeless Ideas, we’re highlighting among the biggest recommendation academics and gamers have disbursed within the pages of GOLF Journal. Immediately we glance again at our July 1988 situation the place Peter Jacobsen shared an excellent drill for correctly shifting your weight on tee pictures. For limitless entry to the complete GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF right now; you’ll get pleasure from $140 of worth for under $39.99/12 months.
Getting essentially the most out of your drives requires that you simply use your physique effectively. A part of that equation comes within the type of weight shift.
If you happen to watch the professionals hit their tee balls, you’ll discover they at all times end on their lead aspect. If you wish to hit the ball like them, you’d be clever to repeat this transfer — and all of it begins with a correct weight shift.
Again in 1988, GOLF Journal highlighted this transfer as Peter Jacobsen confirmed us a drill for correct weight shift. Over 30 years later and the drill can nonetheless do wonders on your sport. Test it out beneath.
Peter Jacobsen’s weight-shift drill
If you’re hitting weak “popcorn” drives, the issue could possibly be your weight. I’m not suggesting that you simply go on a weight-reduction plan however that you simply aren’t making the correct shift to maneuver the complete weight of your physique — and, subsequently, your energy — into the shot.
To understand the significance and the function my of the burden shift, take into consideration the way you throw a ball. You progress your weight in the identical course as your arm — to the again foot as you swing your arm again, to the entrance foot as you swing the arm ahead and launch the ball, pushing off the again foot for energy. The identical weight shift ought to occur in golf.
Gamers who don’t use their weight correctly make one in all two errors. One, they make a reverse shift, transferring the burden to the entrance foot (the left foot for right-handers) as they swing the membership again, then to the again foot in the course of the downswing. Or two, they shift the burden correctly on the backswing however by no means shift it ahead coming down. In both case, by the point they attain the follow-through, they’re falling backward, away from the goal. And that’s the course their energy is transferring — away from the goal — leading to a weak, arms-only swing.
If these are your signs, there may be assist. Tee up a ball on the follow vary and swing at it along with your driver. As you progress into the follow-through, step ahead with the correct foot, bringing it over the left as when you had been beginning to stroll down the green. Working this step into your swing will make you shift your weight correctly, and has been steered by such educated folks as Gary Participant and instructing skilled Peter Beames.
Taking an enormous step
At deal with, distribute your weight evenly between your toes and the balls and heels of your toes. Unfold them about shoulder-width and flex your knees barely till you are feeling balanced.
On the backswing, your weight ought to move to the correct aspect in order that on the prime about 90 p.c of it’s resting on the within of the correct foot. If it doesn’t, and you’re feeling your self falling ahead on the backswing, redistribute your weight extra to the correct aspect at deal with, and be certain your knees are flexed.
Swing down from the highest with out desirous about a weight shift, then step ahead with the correct foot within the follow-through. The step truly has little to do with the shot; the ball is gone by the point you’re taking it. However desirous about the step to return will encourage the right weight shift: You gained’t be capable to transfer the correct leg with out transferring your weight to the left aspect on the downswing.
Preserve making follow swings with the correct foot stepping over the left till you turn into accustomed to the sensation. Then attempt a swing with out taking the step. The shift should still be there, possibly not. If not, there’s nothing improper with incorporating the step into your common swing.