The Change Of Direction

To attack the ball with efficiency and effortless power we must utilise our relationship with the ground and the strongest muscles in the body. Therefore, we utilise the legs, the glutes and the core of the body.

In any great swing you will see very active footwork, even before we get to the impact with the ball. However, in 99% of ALL swings you will see the ball being struck with both feet flat on the ground.

As the lower body attacks towards the target from the top of the back swing it is also important that we are patient in the upper part of the body. In the split second when the downswing starts there should be a very slight lag where the lower body engages and the arms and the club are left behind.

This creates a separation between the alignment of the hips and the alignment of the shoulders meaning the the hips are now in front and leading the way. This allows the lower body to get to the target first so that when the club is released forwards it can be released as far as possible down the line of the target and extend forwards, avoiding the club overtaking the lower body.

This also creates a sling shot, whip like action where the club is released through the ball last with the maximum velocity.

It is so tempting to engage the muscles in the shoulders and arms to hit at the ball from the top of the swing but this is not efficient or terribly powerful. It also tends to pull the upper part of the spine out of position.

As the lower body engages and powers towards the target the upper spine and head MUST stay back and stay in position.

THERE IS A TRANSFERENCE OF BODY WEIGHT INTO THE LEFT SIDE, BUT THE HEAD AND UPPER SPINE MUST NOT MOVE DOWN AND TO THE LEFT TO ACHIEVE THIS.

Keep the head back as you compress into your left foot, this will maintain the agility in your left hip and allow you to rotate it behind you more effectively.

A great drill is to stand adjacent to a wall. Turn into your back swing and reach your arms up the wall with your right hand above your left hand. Then keeping your hands on the wall and keeping your head back and in position, try to turn your hips back to a square position. Practise pulsing your hips around towards the ball and then back into your back swing and try to feel how your feet are behaving. Then try to exaggerate what your feet are doing so that you feel you are utilising the floor.

This perfectly mimics the muscle activity we are looking for from the top of the back swing.