Hitchhike Your Way to a Successful Swing
I think there are as many theories as to how to swing a golf club as there are instructors to teach them but one thing is certain – for a theory to work it has to follow the laws of motion. How these are taught are then the preferences of the teacher.
I prefer to keep instruction as simple as possible without getting all worried about angles and dangles so I will continue with basic drills to get the feel of the swing. These drills can also be used for all level of player.
Last month the motion of the full swing was discussed as being more of a sidearm pattern rather than underhand as some believe and putting is linear versus rotary. One of the best drills to gain understanding into the feel, sound, and look of the swing is the “Hitchhiker” drill.
1) Make a fist, thumb up, with the hand closest to the target and hold that wrist with you other hand in the same position as holding the grip
2) Get in your “ready” position, or posture, with arms hanging straight down.
3) Take your arm back so your thumb points towards your right ear (for right-handers), “hitchhiking” backward, then through to your left ear, “hitchhiking” forward. Make sure the knees touch and you are balancing on your right toe.
4) Do this 12 times holding your finish to the count of 3 – stay in balance!
5) Take a 7 iron and hold it by the neck with the toe of the club hanging down.
6) Hold your wrist again.
7) Swing back to your right ear – the club now points over your shoulder level to the ground and parallel to the target line.
8) Swing through to your left ear – the club now points behind you parallel to the target line.
9) Make a SWISH sound. The louder the sound, the farther the ball will go, assuming you make contact! Repeat 12 times
10) Still holding the neck, put your other hand on in the proper grip, and make the SWISH sound again all the while finishing in good form
This is such a great drill as it teaches you to swing through, instead of to, the ball while increasing club head speed as well as improving balance.
Relate this to the ball by holding the club by the grip and placing the ball on a tee. Forget the ball and focus on knocking the tee towards the third base position in baseball. Continue that great posed finish. Do this 60 times per day for 21 consecutive days and you will develop a consistent, repeatable swing – something all my students ask me for.
Good Golfing.
Kati Biszantz, LPGA Class A/Life Member, 30 years experience, Golf Magazine Top Regional Instructor.
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