Drills for Skills: From Address to Impact – and Back

Drills for Skills: From Address to Impact – and Back

Drills for Skills: From Address to Impact – and Back
By Dr. T. J. Tomasi
Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty and Director of Research

Many golfers try to duplicate their address position at impact, but inefficient swings, address, and impact are very different. To build a good swing, you must know the difference and be able to feel it. This impact drill can help. The object of this drill is to go back and forth directly from address to impact, without taking a backswing or downswing and without hitting the ball. As you go back and forth, stop and check your positions in a mirror and compare them.

The impact drill impresses on your brain the vast differences between these two swing stations. After a while, you should be able to place yourself immediately into the proper impact position, the so-called “moment of truth,” that is only true if you can feel it before you swing.

ADDRESS:

1. The weight is distributed top to bottom through slightly flexed legs with both feet on the ground.
2. The lead wrist is slightly cupped.
3. The trail knee is pointing behind the ball.
4. The hands are over the ball. (An imaginary line extending from the butt end of the club points just left of the belt buckle.)
5. The stance is adjusted depending on the club and the ball flight you’ve chosen.
6. The spine is bent toward the ball +/- 30 degrees and slightly away from the target (about 5 degrees). This varies with different clubs.
7. The shoulders are slightly tilted (right is lower).
8. The overall look is static and solid.

IMPACT:

1. The weight is predominantly on the front foot (pressure on the front heel), front leg braced with the back heel slightly off the ground.
2. The lead wrist is flat; the back of the lead hand and the back of the lead forearm form a straight line.
3. The back knee is kicked in toward the target so that it points at the ball.
4. The hands are slightly in front of the ball with an iron, and even or slightly behind the ball with a driver. This variance depends on shot shape desired, body type and, of course, ball position.
5. The hips are more open than the shoulders, and this differential tightens the abdomen muscles. This is a key feel to acquire for proper impact.
6. The spine is still bent over toward the ground but is now leaning farther away from the target than at address – a slight tilt away from the target due to spine rebound.
7. The trail shoulder is lower than it was at address – the lead shoulder higher.
8. The overall look is dynamic.

If you’d like to study with Dr. Tomasi and other PGA Master Professionals, contact The College of Golf today.