PATH DRILL #2 TRY BASEBALL

For so many slicers, the out-to-in path stems from the start of the downswing. Typically, the slicer pulls the club down with the hands, arms and shoulders, taking the club outside the ideal plane and promoting a heave across the ball. The curious thing about this swing trait is that we already know and use the more effective, ground-up movement pattern… and sometimes we just need to be reminded of how it works. To do that, hit a few baseballs…

1 FACE THE PITCH

Start by flipping the driver around in your hands, gripping up near the head. Adopt the pose of a baseball player about to receive a pitch. Feel how issues like wrist cock, posture and balance instantly take care of themselves when you focus on the more instinctive and natural action of hitting a ball.

2 INSTINCTIVE MOTION

Picture a ball thrown towards you… and move as if to bash it back over the pitcher’s head. Be aggressive with your action. Repeat this a few times and you will begin to sense how your body prepares you to hit the imaginary ball.

3 POWER RELEASE

Carry on through the hit and you will appreciate how the release of the club – or the bat – is the last thing to happen in the sequence. You’ll also gain a genuine sensation of how powerful this release is, and how much easier it feels to hit from in to out. Make several baseball swings before gripping the club normally and trying to repeat this instinctive hitting sequence.

LOWER BODY LEADS

You’ll start to feel how your lower body “sets” you into position, lead foot flared and knee pointing almost towards your target. The big muscles in your thighs and backside fire, driving you forwards. But your hands and arms initially do very little while your lower half establishes this powerful hitting platform.