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IMPROPER SHOULDER TURN PROPER SHOULDER TURN
ALIGNMENT
Thumb pushing is one of the top reasons average golfers are short off the tee .
joint . Lighter hands allow for better clubhead speed and better clubface control through impact .
FAULT 2 : ROTATING HANDS TOO EARLY IN THE START OF THE BACKSWING In our minds , we perceive the need to lift the club in order to get it to the top of the swing . That causes our lead hand to rotate , causing the club to go too far inside in the backswing . Once that happens , the arms and shoulders will feel a need to open early to start the downswing , leading to an over-the-top swing . This is referred to as , “ over-thetop downward plane ,” causing golfers to slice or hook the ball , making it difficult to hit most of their longer clubs . It basically means that your club , when in the downswing , is coming down from outside in .
A simple correction is to stop rotating the lead hand in the backswing . Unfortunately , that ’ s easier said than done . One thing I suggest to my students is to feel as if you are using a putter to take the club back . Envisioning the club as a putter will make it very difficult to rotate the hands in the takeaway of the club . Once you stop rotating the hands in the backswing ,
your club will have a better backswing plane , leading to a better downward plane , making it easier for you to hit your longer clubs .
FAULT 3 : CASTING THE GOLF CLUB Casting is largely misunderstood , because people are not aware they are doing it . Take a moment to grab your golf glove . Now inspect the thumb . If you have black grips and a white glove , the problem will be evident . The wear and darkness on the thumb will surprise you . Here is my question to you : When in the swing process , are you marking up your glove ? For most , it ’ s at the start of the downswing .
The shaft is resting on top of the thumb . For a regular golfer , the hands and arms start the swing , and the thumb pushes the club to get the swing started . The more a golfer pushes with the thumb , the more power they feel they are generating — false . The more a golfer pushes , the more the power is reduced in the swing . In my opinion , thumb pushing is one of the top reasons the average golfer is so short off the tee . Awareness is key : Once you realize you are pushing you can begin to make a change .
FAULT 4 : ALIGNMENT Golfers tend to aim by looking over the
shoulder , and for a right-handed golfer , that means the player is aiming 20 to 30 yards right at address . Aiming right will promote an outside-to-in swing plane and lead to massive internal confusion as to why the player cannot consistently hit the target at which they are aiming .
Proper alignment involves the clubhead aiming at the target and the feet aiming left of the target . Set up a station with two alignment sticks or club shafts . One shaft aims at the target while the feet aim left of the target . This correction may look awkward at first , but it will soon prove to be the proper answer .
Now that you have identified your primary fault , it ’ s time to put a whole movement together .
Start with proper alignment . Second , start the takeaway without rotating your lead hand . Once you are at the top of the swing , do not initiate the motion with the thumb pushing on the club . Instead , use the lower body to pull the club down as you turn toward the target .
Lastly , keep your hands relaxed on the way down and through the ball for more power and speed .
Fernando Martinez , PGA , is a senior staff instructor at the Raspberry Golf Academy .
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