GOLF TIP OF THE MONTH
By: Bob Schade

Last month I explained the importance of stability of the lower body during the golf swing. This month I want to discuss the upper body. The upper body helps achieve distance and maintain accuracy. There are many drills that can be done to help make the upper body behave.

Drill #1 Feet Together Drill

1. Address the golf ball in your normal stance.
2. Move both feet together so that the ball is opposite your left toe.

Swing the club back and through, starting with a short swing. You can lengthen your swing as long as you can maintain balance during the motion.

The Feet Together Drill helps train the upper body. It teaches the upper body to move in a rotary manner, not back and forth like a windshield wiper. The drill also helps you to understand your limits. Swing too fast and you will lose your balance and might fall. Swing too slow and the club will hit the ground before the ball. This is a very important drill!

Drill #2 Closed Shoulder Drill

The shoulders should be closed at impact during a full swing. Most of you have open shoulders at impact and that is why the two biggest misses are a slice or a pull. To counteract this, you must first align your shoulders parallel with the target line at address. Second you must teach your shoulders to wait until they rotate open.

1. Begin this drill from a normal address position. Tee the ball and use a high lofted club like a 7 iron or hybrid.
2. Slide your right foot back so that the toe of your right foot is in line with the heel of your left foot.
3. Pick up your right foot and place just the toe of your right foot on the ground.
4. Position most of your weight into your left hip. This will balance your swing.

This drill is very difficult, but very effective. Start this drill by not hitting a golf ball and begin this drill by swinging at half speed.

The alignment of the shoulders is very important to the golf swing. It completely influences the beginning direction of the golf ball. Any questions please email me at cypresswoodcc@gmail.com. Thanks and good golfing.