Three simple ball-striking tips

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A simple sheet of card – preferably laminated for durability – is an ideal prop if you tend to hit the ball heavy. Set it in the ground behind the ball, as here, and focus on keeping the club close to it on your takeaway. This encourages a low, wide move away from the ball (inset). You must then miss the sheet at impact (main photo). You can vary how far behind the ball you place the sheet as your striking improves.

Another simple exercise for heavy strikers is to think about shifting your right knee across towards the left at the top of the backswing. This will improve your weight transfer and help to shift the low point of your swing arc forward, which will boost your ball-striking. Practise this move first, as in the top photo, then try to incorporate it into your swing (bottom photo). It will feel very different if poor weight transfer has been holding your ball-striking back.

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This drill using two alignment sticks is another great way to hone the wide, low takeaway and steeper angle of attack you need to strike the ball well. Set the sticks as I have them here. Your clubhead should follow the wider red stick more closely on the backswing and the closer green one as you come back into the ball. See how distinct the two positions are. This drill highlights how different the backswing and downswing arcs should look and feel.

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