This three-club workout will help you tone down your pace.
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Many amateur golfers make the fatal mistake of overswinging in an effort to generate more distance. But longer swings actually work against you because they reduce control and result in off-center shots that kill your power.
Fortunately, getting your swing under control is easier than you think. All you have to do is throttle back and focus on the rhythm.
Swing at 75 percent
I always say: Tempo isn’t how fast you swing, it’s how fast you move. And a great trick to developing a swing that is powerful and controlled is to hit about 75 percent.
It may sound counterintuitive, but reducing your swing strength improves your distribution and produces more efficient center shots, which means higher ball speeds and more distance.
Want to experience the benefits of a smooth rhythm swing? Increase your contact and consistency, and even add a few yards to your game with my three-club drill.
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My 3 Club Tempo Workout
For this drill, it is best to start with a target that is 100 yards away. Next, grab the club you would normally hit from this distance, as well as the next two clubs with the lowest height in your bag. For example, if you usually hit a 100-yard shot with a pitching wedge, grab that, plus your 9-iron and 8-iron.
Now, imagine a green around your target. Your goal is to make as many shots on this “green” as possible. You will get 10 tries with each club, hitting your highest option first. As you track your progress, pay attention to your ball flight and distance control for each club.
Once you’re done, count your total. You might be surprised to find that you were more consistent with the lower clubs. That’s because, unlike the top option, these clubs required a shift with less effort, which in turn, softened your pace.
And, you can use this drill from any distance. Try it with long irons and even woods to inject some pace into your game.
