One of the biggest misconceptions in golf is where the club makes contact with the ball and the ground. Tony Ruggiero, a GOLF Top 100 Teachersexplains that the low point of your swing—or the bottom of your swing arc—actually occurs right in front of the ball, on the target side.
“To make the low point happen on the target side of the ball, we want your body and pressure to move towards the target,” says Ruggiero, “you actually want to try to get the center of your body moving towards the target and on the ball or in front of the ball.”
It sounds simple enough, but many amateurs still struggle to get their low point forward enough. Fortunately, Ruggiero has some clever drills that can help you practice body movement and pressure on the target.
Without a ball, put a slider –which you can buy here—Under your footprint and get into your normal setup. Take the club back and as you make the forward swing, Ruggiero says to think about sliding your trail foot back.
“(This movement) causes all the pressure or weight to go toward the lead leg,” he says, “and makes you learn to stay in position and rotate your trunk toward the (lead) leg.
If you’re doing it right, you should notice that the club sweeps the ground right in front of where the ball would be.
Resistance kick training
For the next exercise, you’ll need a light resistance band and something to anchor it to, or a partner to hold it. Loop it around your club grip, then back off just enough to take the slack out of the club. From there, move into your kicking position and hold it. As you repeat this position, you should begin to feel a slight resistance from the band.
Ruggiero explains that an optimal hitting position should feel like your chest is rolling over the ball as your hips begin to open up and move out of the way.
Once you are in the correct kicking position, continue to roll through the kick. As you roll, you should feel more resistance from the band – almost like it’s pulling you back. Ruggiero says the feel will help train you to push off the ground and move through the ball, instead of hanging back.
Early release training
This third and final workout is inspired by players like Annika Sorenstam and David Duval. Best practiced with small or slow swings, it’s all about letting go.
“In the old days, their (Sorenstam and Duval) eyes would drop down the range early, and they would almost look out of range before they hit the ball,” Ruggiero says.
To practice this drill, take small swings mimicking that early release, training your body to naturally let your eyes, nose, hands, and club all release together—pointing at the target.
