Drew's Tip of the Month
The start of new golf season always seems to bring a feeling of renewed optimism. The anticipation of a well struck drive, an iron shot that never leaves the flagstick, a curling 20-foot putt that finds the bottom of the cup for a birdie…hope springs eternal.
Unfortunately, the hibernation of winter can often hinder our progress. Finding our form and tuning up can seem like a bit of a chore. We have to reintroduce ourselves to our golfing muscles, the ones that we were so friendly in the past when the weather was warm now seem so distant at the moment.
A medically approved stretching routine is always helpful. Even if you have lost a little strength over time, you can always get your flexibility back to make that big backswing and prevent future injuries. Going for a daily walk will help your endurance. Golf is meant for walking.
The best way to get your golf muscles ready for the season is to start swinging a golf club now in slow motion. Legendary Golf Instructor Harvey Penick prescribed the following indoor drill (so there is no excuse not to do it). Slow motion means really slow, slow motion. When you think you are doing it slow, do it even slower.
Swing the club very slowly to the top of your backswing keeping your eye on a spot on the carpet where your ball would likely be. Get your back to the target and the club over your right shoulder. Feel pressure in your right heel.
As you reach the top of your backswing, replace your left heel on the ground and at the same time bring your folded right elbow down to your right hip while keeping the cock in your left wrist. Remember to do it in slow-motion.
As the right elbow comes into the side of the body which brings the club down from the top one third of the way towards the ball, stop, hold it, and feel it. Now, starting from here, swing back to the top and repeat this same motion slowly four times.
On the fifth repetition, go ahead and make a full swing, still in slow motion. Finish with your weight on your left heel, your tummy facing the target, up on the tip of your right toe for balance, standing tall with your club shaft finishing over your left shoulder. Hold your finish and feel it.
Repeat the sequence over and over. Your brain is training your muscles in how to properly start the club down from the top without making any mistakes because there is no ball present.
The more often you can perform this motion, the sooner those distant golf muscles will return to greet you, and wouldn’t that be nice when you tee it up your first shot of 2024?
Keep Swinging!
