Setting up for compression

[EdZ]

Impact Fix
Sustain the Line of Compression
Balance


Many people setup such that they can not make a proper swing, and hit a good shot. They begin from an out of position, unbalanced 'pose' - with incorrect alignments.

A little drill to help you learn hands leading, downward compression on a chip shot:

stand with your feet 'together' (feet touching at heels and ball of the feet)

grip a club in your left hand, setting the blade at 90 degrees to your target line, and aligned with the outside edge of your trail foot

while holding that alignment, ensure your left arm and club for a straight line and your left hand visually looks at the 'center' of your feet as you look down

this may appear 'hooded' to some (but not in your grip, let your hands hang), ensure those alignments as you let your right hand 'meet' your left, no disruption of those alignments of the left arm, I use interlock.

imagine the right (trail) forearm is on line with the shaft from wrist to elbow and the angle of your right wrist is 'set'

'see' the circle your hands, PP#1, travels on and extend your lead arm gently with your trail hand to meet that circle

'swing' the club, your hands, back and through above the ground, smooth and heavy and slow

change 'center' until the club hits the ground before the full extension, send your hands to a point well ahead of the ball, on the ground

put a ball just before that point on the ground where you take a divot

drive that ball into the ground

stay balanced, close your eyes

feel your hands and feet

This is acquired motion. Do it until you 'hear' the stone and turf sing to you like a shot being fired.

[PH17]

This is one I'm fighting through ... full extension to low point while maintaining a bent right wrist. Too many years playing baseball, basketball and racquet ball where a straightening right elbow is timed with a straightening right wrist. Consequently I've spent years timing a flip to play golf. I'd love to see a visual, pictures or video, of the drill you're suggesting.

My experience at the workshop in Destin reinforced the plain truth that my progress will be limited until this movement is mastered!

[EdZ]

In golf posture, swing your right hand just like you were going to toss a ball underhanded to your target.

basically a right handed 'slap'

Now make that exact same motion, but freeze the angle in your right wrist, and direct force 'down' in front of the ball until your right arm is straight

eventually you can learn to 'allow' the right wrist to 'flow', but until you 'know' the feeling of keeping it bent back and hitting 'crisp' shots, keep it frozen, like it is in a cast, and focus on the right forearm underhanded 'toss' motion, slap that inside back corner with a frozen right wrist

[Trig]

grip a club in your left hand, setting the blade at 90 degrees to your target line, and aligned with the outside edge of your trail foot

while holding that alignment, ensure your left arm and club for a straight line and your left hand visually looks at the 'center' of your feet as you look down

this may appear 'hooded' to some

Ed - this appears hooded to me. The part about lining up the outside edge of the iron with the trailing foot. When you say "outside edge", do you mean the top line of the iron? If I do that, then the bottom edge of the club will be closed to base plane line it seems. Is that correct?

I have always struggled with the appearence of the club at set up.

Thanks!

[EdZ]

The leading edge of the club actually on the same line to the outside edge of the right foot.

So if you were to stand with your right foot along a line on the floor perpendicular to your targetline, the leading edge of the clubface would be 'on' and matching that line.

To clarify, by outside edge of the right foot, think the 'ball' of the right foot (if you had the entire outside edge of your foot on that line your foot would be turned too 'closed').

Basically a drill to ensure that setup has 'built in' forward lean of the shaft when taking your grip.

[Trig]

Thanks for clarifying Ed. Sounds like a good drill!