Are you an arm swinger? Does your swing sometimes feel as though you are chopping wood with a heavy axe in your hands? Do you ever feel like you are swatting at the ball? Do you want to hit the ball further? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then it sounds as though you need to learn how to use the big muscles of your body as the engine for your good golf swing, making it easier to repeat the movement and allowing you to create more clubhead speed.
I love this “Airplane Drill” because it helps you make a full shoulder turn and feel the rotation of both the upper and lower body both in the backswing and through impact to your finish.
FULL SHOULDER TURN
As you make your turn into your backswing, allow your gloved hand to turn down towards the ball with your shoulder turning under your chin. With your gloved hand pointing at the ball, and your other hand high behind you, you will have made a full shoulder turn (and your back will be facing the target). At the “top” you should feel pressure on the inside of your trail foot and perhaps a little in your glute. You are now “loaded” on your right side.
Gail Graham is an LPGA Teaching Professional at Esplanade Golf & Country Club in Naples, Florida. She is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame member, 17-year veteran of the LPGA Tour and and 1997 Australian Masters champion. Reach her at gailgrahamgolf@gmail.com
