Great presentation on covering the ball. The drill is one of my top 3 drills. Combine it with the L to L drill and it will take your ball striking to another level.
This is one of the best tips I ever got. A few teachers mentioned covering the ball and Patrick really explains this very well. I have added this to my warmup routine when I first start and it really has helped to to understand a new move for an old school player. Well done Patrick Damore and wish you were closer to get a few lessons.
Still doing this drill and will continue to use this drill forever. I recently took lessons from a very good senior golfer who, unbenknownst to me, tried to teach me the old swing he describes here. Messed me up big time. This drill enabled me to purge that swing immediately. I also alternate this drill by keeping the ball in the normal position, but trying to hit the ball that I imagine is 6 inches to the left. WOW! I'm glad I found this video. This is the best drill by a mile.
I attended the Butch Harmon golf school in Las Vegas a month ago and this is exactly what his coaches were trying to get me to do - cover the ball and get the chest over the ball and letting the head move forward. They had me hitting it pretty well and it seemed to give me more yardage as well. While playing yesterday I was driving the ball further than usual, even given the 45 degree weather in Michigan. I'll give this a try at the range and this makes a lot of sense to force the body to move instead of keeping my head back - which is what I learned when I started golfing 30 years ago. Thanks!
Patrick, absolutely brilliant! Working on this for a few weeks and it is just starting to work well now. Ready for the big time. Now all I have to do is relearn how to putt. Thanks.
I find that many times my mind requires different explanations in order to get the feel of what an instructor is trying to explain. In another "cover the ball" drill by Patrick he mentioned the swing thought "shoulder to toe." That's what made sense for me. Covering the ball and maintaining level shoulders will advance your game once you "get it." Great drills from Patrick on this. Came back to get video links to send to a flipper friend who just doesn't get it...
very excited to try this drill. I am a flipper and hope to get better impact. I actually strike the ball very well but see the limitations of my higher ball flight. I hope that covering the ball through impact will reduce my lower back pain. Thanks!
I spent the last month in my garage going from a covered swing to more of the old school swing you reference here because my dad (60 yrs old) tells me every time he watches me that I need to "come from behind the ball" more in order to get more distance, and that I swing "over the top". I should have been skeptical to listen because I don't need any extra yards, and my big misses curve left. The the old school swing definitely helps me release my driver better though, compared to what I was doing before. Golf is a crazy game, I actually let myself become convinced that hanging back and flipping my hands (my dad and other old geezers incorrectly call it releasing) would HELP my hooks with my irons. Now my swing looks like something out of a 1960s golf instruction video but my balls go way too high, too short and I live towards the heel of my club... Now I need to get back in the garage and unlearn everything I've been trying to work on haha. In reference to what +jay rode said below, the correct move feels way over the top for me as well, but I still can get a calm push draw if I get dialed in. The funny thing though, on video it looks sort of over the top, and my dad keeps telling me it's over the top, but we need to learn to not listen and just trust the process. As long as you can make the ball go where you want it to, it doesn't matter what the swing looks like. When I went from a total hacker to a struggling high capper, I came up with something like the forward ball position drill to teach myself to get ball first contact. I would encourage everyone to do that drill, it's incredible how solidly you will hit when you put the ball back to your normal position.
this move is for scratch to pro players, whos problems are the opposite of amateurs. scratch and pro players come way from the inside in the downswing, promoting blocked shots and hooks/left shoulder high (relying on hand timing to square the clubface). if your downswing isn't significantly inside to out already, I wouldn't recommend this drill.
Joseph is essentially correct. This drill is for a small population of golfers who as I classify them as... 'Under Spin Flippers'. Nonetheless...it is a very effective tool to improve impact for these golfers.
Correct... In my world..there are 2 kinds of golfers that I refer to at my instruction site... 'Over the Top' ers and the 'Under Spin Flippers'. You need to know which one you are and learn the correct move.
I also changed my grip to only using the edges of my fingers taking away all grip of my palm. Giving me complete control with my fingers I even make sure none of my palm is touching the club. Helped my control hundred percent!
Patrick, first off thank you for posting these videos ! Your instruction had restored my game and taken to a new level of ball striking . Covering the ball with level shoulders at impact was the key for me ! After 40 years of staying behind the ball and flipping at the ball I now cover it and hit it solid and straight ! Great stuff !!
awesome video! can't wait to try this at the range. almost every teacher kept teaching me the hips firing first arms lag sequence. I would end up in the reverse c position with head behind the ball. hands and arms played catch up resulting in lots of inconsistencies and lots of back pain early am. what are some pga pros that use this modern swing method?
Hi Patrick, You mention in your video that you teach 4 drills to work on this skill. Where can we see the three other "cover the golf ball drills"? thanks, John
I did this drill last night and finally go the feel of people have said about covering the ball. As a flipper/hip spinner it is a very strange sensation to hit this way. I used to play tennis so this feels more like a forehand than a golf swing to me. I had a stint that I tried to do a tennis golf swing but ended up reverting back. In order to do this correctly wouldnt it be a 2 plane swing? Arms have to drop to get the club on plane since shoulders are so flat? Keeping my right heel down at impact seems to help me swing this way too?
Hi. I'm a 51 yo with a 6.4 index and I've been struggling with early release/flipping the hands making my bad shots hook off the course. I ran across this video looking for ones on stopping the flip and I'm excited to give it a try. I'm mostly a one plane swing and keeping the shoulders level at impact is new to me as I've been told the right shoulder should be down and the left one up and back at impact.
'Level' again is a relative term. My idea of level is... 'Angle of shoulders' at address will be the same as 'angle of shoulders' at impact. That is what I mean by level. Of course the right shoulder will be lower than the left to some degree (right hand is below left on club) but it's the angle of address compared to the angle at impact (shoulders).
Great tip and great drill,, i am also in my 40’s and suffer from old school instruction that had me hanging my head too far back and hitting the ball too high, scooping and flipping. Thank you sir.
I like the idea of putting the golf ball two feet in front of direct path of ball also I have been putting a golf ball directly below my stomach it gives me a angle of where my stance is. Then I put a ball below my nose having three golf balls in different positions. Then I can have a point of reference allowing to see if stance is correct for ball positions.
When doing this drill do you want the face to be square when hitting the ball? I assume you would want to have it square where the correct ball position would be and closed when hitting the forward position ball resulting as you said, a hook
Tried this drill today. Excellent. Do you think it's okay to drive the hips too, or will this drill take care of the lower body? I found myself losing my balance forward (like the walk through drill) on almost every swing using this drill.
Patrick, I have read your web page and find your swing thoughts interesting. I have more of a S&T swing with shoulder down and hands in and have worked not to come over the top and I feel like this drill here makes me swing outside in and come over the top. So am I doing this drill wrong?
Not at all. What you 'feel' and what is 'real' will be different. If done correctly with a watchful eye...this will 'feel' like over the top, but, it helps tremendously with swing path more 'down the line'...which for you will 'feel' like over the top.
'Level' is relative. I guess a better way to describe it is... the angle of your shoulders at 'address' should be quite similar to the angle of your shoulders at 'impact'. That is my idea of level. With striking the ball from a 'non tee' position...I try to have the shoulder angles the same. The driver swing...will be a touch different...but don't confuse this with...'Head Way Behind Ball and hit UP'.
Hello Patrick, Quick question: Would you suggest doing this drill for 10 reps and then try a normal swing? When you are practicing you cover the ball drills what would you recommend if you had a hour each day to practice?
The more 'ingrained' muscle memory you have the more you need to repeat the drill. I've been playing golf for 37 years, I started this drill 10 years ago...and still do it today (not as much but still do it today).
Thanks...sounds good for a 7 iron. My biggest problem is hitting a 3 wood....sometimes a 5 wood. I don't believe you are supposed to compress the ball so how do I cover the ball and hit a wood.....also a driver....and most importantly, what are the ball positions for each of the clubs ? Thanks for any help. J
Some sort of compression is needed on every shot...a possible exception is the Driver (use of tee)...I still compress with my driver and the tour ave is -2 degrees down with the driver. All that being said... your 'compression' will be obviously more with a sand wedge than say a 3 wood. To impart 'backspin' on a ball (from a non teed position) , one must strike at most at 'zero impact angle' or more desirably a 'negative impact angle'....also assuming your club has some sort of loft to it. Ideally, I prefer to hit my fairway metals at 'zero impact angle'...which also is very hard to do. So, I error on the side of 'negative impact angle' (-1 or --2 degrees on the downswing) and if I catch it at zero...great, if not, I still have a quality strike. The amount of 'compression' and weight shift to aid compression will also be dependant on ball position. I prefer my ball position towards the left heel (just inside left heel with a fairway metals. My driver position is about left heel. I would suggest to place the ball an inch inside left heel (RH dexterity) and expect to compress/trap the fairway metal swing to a certain degree.
Patrick Damore Golf Instruction Thank you. I usually determine ball position off of my sternum except for Driver which is 1" inside left heel..... 7 iron to rescue Woods is 1 ball in front of sternum....3 & 5 woods 1 1/2 balls in front of sternum. I'll try you positions unless think this would work. My best, Jim
It's difficult for me to compress the ball and hit the ground and take divots. I sweep most shots as I had a bone taken out of my left wrist and rotator cuff surgery (Left)...Any thoughts to cover the ball swinging that way ? Thanks !
Patrick, great drill. My question on this drill is where to put the ball in relation to the original ball. I know you put it forward, but do you also keep it closer to the body? It seems like it needs to be put inside more to promote a "left exit". Is that correct, or do you just put it forward on the same line as the original ball would be? thanks!
I've been working on covering the ball for a little while now, but i'm consistently having trouble hitting fairway metals... driver is good. Every time I get to the top of my backswing I feel there is no way to ever get the club face square and the impact postion reflects that feeling. Any advice?
Hey Mr. Damore, Do you advocate the same ball position for the driver too? Always heard it was supposed to where you have it for this drill, but this doesn't seem to work for me. Just for giggles, I tried the ball position one ball left of center for my driver, and it seemed to fix everything. Unfortunately, I was down to my last four range rocks when I did this, so don't know if it was just a "wood" fix. What is your take on driver ball position? Thanks, Kurt
How about coming over the top this swing seems like it would promte it im a pull hooker and seems you would hit alot of left balls. Do you arms turn over on downswing?
On the backswing the shoulders are not level but at an angle. On the transition they start to level out and at impact are more or less level. So shoulders are tipped down on backswing but level out on downswing to impact and beyond.
Jay... It will DEFINITLEY feel like 'over the top'. Again...this drill is for the 'Under Spin Flippers. If you are a 'USF'...this drill will discourage the 'under' and encourage 'down the line' which will feel to an 'Under Spin Flipper' as a huge 20 hdcpr over the top swing. The drill will introduce a better shoulder rotation during the forward swing. The right shoulder won't drop vertically down as much on the forward swing arc (RH golfers)....The right shoulder will rotate towards the target more with enough repition of this drill instead of dropping down. I hope this helps. Good luck and thanks for the interest.
I'll continue to work on this. I'm a little steep on the down swing and my fault is getting under the plane with fast hips. Thanks for the response. I see you are in Warren, PA..I may come down to see you this summer.
Yes... an 'Aha' moment. After enough repetition, the drill work a student puts in (repetition) leads to new muscle memory and that is what we are trying to accomplish. Good luck to you.
The drill will promote an over the top move if in fact you are an over the topper. I suggest this drill to the under spin flippers of the world. My website dives into this in great detail. Your arms and hands will always turn over after impact, but this motion I describe will seem like the hands and arms are quite passive and you are utilizing the body core to square the club face through impact. Again, great drill for the under spin flippers. Over toppers.. use my 'stop the over the top' drill.
Driver ball position: Left heel/just inside left heel (right hand golfer). This is necessary for the upper body dynamic transfer of weight during the forward swing arc and to still catch the ball at the bottom of the arc. Thanks.
The first time I tried this was on a Sunday in a tournament. Shot 69 and won. For me, the sensation is hitting the ball with the right side. Because the upper body is moving laterally as well as around, keeping the majority of the weight ahead of the club until impact. you never get over the top. A late hit with proper forward shaft lean are produced.
When covering the ball properly, the clubface remains square to the forward swing arc all the time (more of a path issue it seems). It sounds like your impact position is still too much from the inside. Get the clubface striking the ball at 3:00 and not 4:30.
Clubface is 'square to the forward swing arc' regardless of ball position.... always. Must realize that clubface is traveling left of target at impact position with this drill but it is still square to forward swing arc. Read more about this at my website.
Possible answer... You may be transferring your weight to the target on forward swing (as you should), but neglecting the 'turn to the target and beyond' as well. When you complete your forward swing... 2 checkpoints... 1. Right shoulder, right hip, and right foot toe (RH golfer) should be vertical straight line (dynamic transfer of weight). 2. Your hips should be pointing 'left' of target and your shoulders... further 'left' of target. I explain this in greater detail at my website.
I hesitate ALWAYS about the phrase..'drive the hips'. This inevitably leads to the 'head behind ball/fast spinning hips/flipping hands' position that this particular drill tries to eliminate. If you must think of something...think right leg/right side/right shoulder simultaneously transferring/turning through to the target (for right hand golfer) to a vertical finish. With this drill do expect to lose your balance 'to the target' when done properly. Look up dynamic weight transfer at my site.
I just watched a video on Golf.com about covering the ball. This was hosted by a top 100 teacher (I'll omit the name because I don't think it matter to my point). The aforementioned pro's description of covering the ball is terrible, and confusing, which will leave anyone clueless about what it means to cover the ball. Mr. Damore is the only pro that seems to really understand what it means - and more importantly, how to articulate it.
Do that drill for a day and you will be slicing for a month if it's not broke don't fix it.dont fire your hips plant your left foot first and the hips will follow
"Don't get caught-up in where the ball goes on the range folks". What if it's getting side-ways and almost hitting the guy in the next lane? Just kidding :) Good tips.
There is to much advice on the the golf swing that's conflicts with one to the next.Probably the biggest and worst advice is getting parallel at the top.Many great drivers of the golf ball get to 3/4 and don't lose distance.For some people getting parallel just isn't worth the effort.Look at Tommy Armour 3 for a good example.And there are many more.This instructor is dead right about impact position.That is the key impact position who cares how you get there.Spieth has a chicken wing and he hits as many or more than any pro.My point find an instructor that works with what you bring to the table
Lol..,that's like saying you want to learn basketball "just throw it in the hoop" or playing pool "hit the balls in the pockets" etc. Maybe golf isn't for you. Unless you like just "hitting the ball" everywhere.
Great presentation on covering the ball. The drill is one of my top 3 drills. Combine it with the L to L drill and it will take your ball striking to another level.
This is one of the best tips I ever got. A few teachers mentioned covering the ball and Patrick really explains this very well. I have added this to my warmup routine when I first start and it really has helped to to understand a new move for an old school player. Well done Patrick Damore and wish you were closer to get a few lessons.
Still doing this drill and will continue to use this drill forever. I recently took lessons from a very good senior golfer who, unbenknownst to me, tried to teach me the old swing he describes here. Messed me up big time. This drill enabled me to purge that swing immediately. I also alternate this drill by keeping the ball in the normal position, but trying to hit the ball that I imagine is 6 inches to the left. WOW! I'm glad I found this video. This is the best drill by a mile.
I am a 1 handicapper and have always struggled with this. Love your video and will be working on this.
The number one drill in golf!! Thank you.
I attended the Butch Harmon golf school in Las Vegas a month ago and this is exactly what his coaches were trying to get me to do - cover the ball and get the chest over the ball and letting the head move forward. They had me hitting it pretty well and it seemed to give me more yardage as well. While playing yesterday I was driving the ball further than usual, even given the 45 degree weather in Michigan. I'll give this a try at the range and this makes a lot of sense to force the body to move instead of keeping my head back - which is what I learned when I started golfing 30 years ago. Thanks!
Well...at the very least... Butch and I think alike. That's a compliment.
Excellent video helped me a lot. I would like to see other exercises to cover the ball you mention
Patrick, absolutely brilliant! Working on this for a few weeks and it is just starting to work well now. Ready for the big time. Now all I have to do is relearn how to putt. Thanks.
I find that many times my mind requires different explanations in order to get the feel of what an instructor is trying to explain. In another "cover the ball" drill by Patrick he mentioned the swing thought "shoulder to toe." That's what made sense for me. Covering the ball and maintaining level shoulders will advance your game once you "get it." Great drills from Patrick on this. Came back to get video links to send to a flipper friend who just doesn't get it...
Great Lesson
This is an amazing tip. The vast majority of golfers need this information.
very excited to try this drill. I am a flipper and hope to get better impact. I actually strike the ball very well but see the limitations of my higher ball flight. I hope that covering the ball through impact will reduce my lower back pain. Thanks!
I spent the last month in my garage going from a covered swing to more of the old school swing you reference here because my dad (60 yrs old) tells me every time he watches me that I need to "come from behind the ball" more in order to get more distance, and that I swing "over the top". I should have been skeptical to listen because I don't need any extra yards, and my big misses curve left.
The the old school swing definitely helps me release my driver better though, compared to what I was doing before.
Golf is a crazy game, I actually let myself become convinced that hanging back and flipping my hands (my dad and other old geezers incorrectly call it releasing) would HELP my hooks with my irons. Now my swing looks like something out of a 1960s golf instruction video but my balls go way too high, too short and I live towards the heel of my club...
Now I need to get back in the garage and unlearn everything I've been trying to work on haha.
In reference to what +jay rode said below, the correct move feels way over the top for me as well, but I still can get a calm push draw if I get dialed in. The funny thing though, on video it looks sort of over the top, and my dad keeps telling me it's over the top, but we need to learn to not listen and just trust the process. As long as you can make the ball go where you want it to, it doesn't matter what the swing looks like.
When I went from a total hacker to a struggling high capper, I came up with something like the forward ball position drill to teach myself to get ball first contact. I would encourage everyone to do that drill, it's incredible how solidly you will hit when you put the ball back to your normal position.
this move is for scratch to pro players, whos problems are the opposite of amateurs. scratch and pro players come way from the inside in the downswing, promoting blocked shots and hooks/left shoulder high (relying on hand timing to square the clubface). if your downswing isn't significantly inside to out already, I wouldn't recommend this drill.
Joseph is essentially correct. This drill is for a small population of golfers who as I classify them as... 'Under Spin Flippers'. Nonetheless...it is a very effective tool to improve impact for these golfers.
Correct... In my world..there are 2 kinds of golfers that I refer to at my instruction site... 'Over the Top' ers and the 'Under Spin Flippers'. You need to know which one you are and learn the correct move.
I also changed my grip to only using the edges of my fingers taking away all grip of my palm. Giving me complete control with my fingers I even make sure none of my palm is touching the club. Helped my control hundred percent!
Great drill Patrick...helped me a lot.
Patrick, first off thank you for posting these videos ! Your instruction had restored my game and taken to a new level of ball striking . Covering the ball with level shoulders at impact was the key for me ! After 40 years of staying behind the ball and flipping at the ball I now cover it and hit it solid and straight ! Great stuff !!
awesome video! can't wait to try this at the range. almost every teacher kept teaching me the hips firing first arms lag sequence. I would end up in the reverse c position with head behind the ball. hands and arms played catch up resulting in lots of inconsistencies and lots of back pain early am. what are some pga pros that use this modern swing method?
Excellent stuff. Best drill on the net!
Hi Patrick,
You mention in your video that you teach 4 drills to work on this skill. Where can we see the three other "cover the golf ball drills"?
thanks,
John
Agreed. Helping me a ton. It’s a game of opposites.
Thanks for the video Patrick. This tip is only for irons correct? Driver I would want to keep my head behind the ball.
I did this drill last night and finally go the feel of people have said about covering the ball. As a flipper/hip spinner it is a very strange sensation to hit this way. I used to play tennis so this feels more like a forehand than a golf swing to me. I had a stint that I tried to do a tennis golf swing but ended up reverting back. In order to do this correctly wouldnt it be a 2 plane swing? Arms have to drop to get the club on plane since shoulders are so flat? Keeping my right heel down at impact seems to help me swing this way too?
Hi.
I'm a 51 yo with a 6.4 index and I've been struggling with early release/flipping the hands making my bad shots hook off the course. I ran across this video looking for ones on stopping the flip and I'm excited to give it a try. I'm mostly a one plane swing and keeping the shoulders level at impact is new to me as I've been told the right shoulder should be down and the left one up and back at impact.
'Level' again is a relative term. My idea of level is... 'Angle of shoulders' at address will be the same as 'angle of shoulders' at impact. That is what I mean by level. Of course the right shoulder will be lower than the left to some degree (right hand is below left on club) but it's the angle of address compared to the angle at impact (shoulders).
Great tip and great drill,, i am also in my 40’s and suffer from old school instruction that had me hanging my head too far back and hitting the ball too high, scooping and flipping. Thank you sir.
I like the idea of putting the golf ball two feet in front of direct path of ball also I have been putting a golf ball directly below my stomach it gives me a angle of where my stance is. Then I put a ball below my nose having three golf balls in different positions. Then I can have a point of reference allowing to see if stance is correct for ball positions.
This drill was the key for me too - and I've tried them all with nothing even coming close to this one.
When doing this drill do you want the face to be square when hitting the ball? I assume you would want to have it square where the correct ball position would be and closed when hitting the forward position ball resulting as you said, a hook
Tried this drill today. Excellent. Do you think it's okay to drive the hips too, or will this drill take care of the lower body? I found myself losing my balance forward (like the walk through drill) on almost every swing using this drill.
Patrick, I have read your web page and find your swing thoughts interesting. I have more of a S&T swing with shoulder down and hands in and have worked not to come over the top and I feel like this drill here makes me swing outside in and come over the top. So am I doing this drill wrong?
Not at all. What you 'feel' and what is 'real' will be different. If done correctly with a watchful eye...this will 'feel' like over the top, but, it helps tremendously with swing path more 'down the line'...which for you will 'feel' like over the top.
Patrick, do you have any shoulder tilt with your driver or are you trying to keep your shoulders level with this club as well? Thanks.
'Level' is relative. I guess a better way to describe it is... the angle of your shoulders at 'address' should be quite similar to the angle of your shoulders at 'impact'. That is my idea of level. With striking the ball from a 'non tee' position...I try to have the shoulder angles the same. The driver swing...will be a touch different...but don't confuse this with...'Head Way Behind Ball and hit UP'.
Hello Patrick,
Quick question: Would you suggest doing this drill for 10 reps and then try a normal swing? When you are practicing you cover the ball drills what would you recommend if you had a hour each day to practice?
The more 'ingrained' muscle memory you have the more you need to repeat the drill. I've been playing golf for 37 years, I started this drill 10 years ago...and still do it today (not as much but still do it today).
Thanks...sounds good for a 7 iron. My biggest problem is hitting a 3 wood....sometimes a 5 wood. I don't believe you are supposed to compress the ball so how do I cover the ball and hit a wood.....also a driver....and most importantly, what are the ball positions for each of the clubs ? Thanks for any help. J
Some sort of compression is needed on every shot...a possible exception is the Driver (use of tee)...I still compress with my driver and the tour ave is -2 degrees down with the driver. All that being said... your 'compression' will be obviously more with a sand wedge than say a 3 wood. To impart 'backspin' on a ball (from a non teed position) , one must strike at most at 'zero impact angle' or more desirably a 'negative impact angle'....also assuming your club has some sort of loft to it. Ideally, I prefer to hit my fairway metals at 'zero impact angle'...which also is very hard to do. So, I error on the side of 'negative impact angle' (-1 or --2 degrees on the downswing) and if I catch it at zero...great, if not, I still have a quality strike. The amount of 'compression' and weight shift to aid compression will also be dependant on ball position. I prefer my ball position towards the left heel (just inside left heel with a fairway metals. My driver position is about left heel. I would suggest to place the ball an inch inside left heel (RH dexterity) and expect to compress/trap the fairway metal swing to a certain degree.
Patrick Damore Golf Instruction Thank you. I usually determine ball position off of my sternum except for Driver which is 1" inside left heel..... 7 iron to rescue Woods is 1 ball in front of sternum....3 & 5 woods 1 1/2 balls in front of sternum. I'll try you positions unless think this would work. My best,
Jim
It's difficult for me to compress the ball and hit the ground and take divots. I sweep most shots as I had a bone taken out of my left wrist and rotator cuff surgery (Left)...Any thoughts to cover the ball swinging that way ? Thanks !
Hi Patrick, do you think this drill will help me, I am flipping a little bit (I have a tendency to release too early)
Patrick, great drill. My question on this drill is where to put the ball in relation to the original ball. I know you put it forward, but do you also keep it closer to the body? It seems like it needs to be put inside more to promote a "left exit". Is that correct, or do you just put it forward on the same line as the original ball would be? thanks!
Great Explanation and drill. I learned old school. It stops working at a certain age and your left wondering. Good Stuff!
I've been working on covering the ball for a little while now, but i'm consistently having trouble hitting fairway metals... driver is good. Every time I get to the top of my backswing I feel there is no way to ever get the club face square and the impact postion reflects that feeling. Any advice?
Patience. Good things come to those who wait.
Hey Mr. Damore, Do you advocate the same ball position for the driver too? Always heard it was supposed to where you have it for this drill, but this doesn't seem to work for me. Just for giggles, I tried the ball position one ball left of center for my driver, and it seemed to fix everything. Unfortunately, I was down to my last four range rocks when I did this, so don't know if it was just a "wood" fix. What is your take on driver ball position? Thanks, Kurt
How about coming over the top this swing seems like it would promte it im a pull hooker and seems you would hit alot of left balls. Do you arms turn over on downswing?
On the backswing the shoulders are not level but at an angle. On the transition they start to level out and at impact are more or less level. So shoulders are tipped down on backswing but level out on downswing to impact and beyond.
Patrick,
I have tried to do this drill, but always feel I'm coming over the top with it. Is this due to the ball position? Thanks.
Jay...
It will DEFINITLEY feel like 'over the top'. Again...this drill is for the 'Under Spin Flippers. If you are a 'USF'...this drill will discourage the 'under' and encourage 'down the line' which will feel to an 'Under Spin Flipper' as a huge 20 hdcpr over the top swing. The drill will introduce a better shoulder rotation during the forward swing. The right shoulder won't drop vertically down as much on the forward swing arc (RH golfers)....The right shoulder will rotate towards the target more with enough repition of this drill instead of dropping down.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and thanks for the interest.
I'll continue to work on this. I'm a little steep on the down swing and my fault is getting under the plane with fast hips. Thanks for the response. I see you are in Warren, PA..I may come down to see you this summer.
Yes... an 'Aha' moment. After enough repetition, the drill work a student puts in (repetition) leads to new muscle memory and that is what we are trying to accomplish. Good luck to you.
Solved more of my confusion in 10 minutes than many hours of (old school) video.
The drill will promote an over the top move if in fact you are an over the topper. I suggest this drill to the under spin flippers of the world. My website dives into this in great detail. Your arms and hands will always turn over after impact, but this motion I describe will seem like the hands and arms are quite passive and you are utilizing the body core to square the club face through impact. Again, great drill for the under spin flippers. Over toppers.. use my 'stop the over the top' drill.
I used to do this drill with my coach for hrs, and still do.
is this drill for driver too?
sounds like Dan Akroyd
Driver ball position: Left heel/just inside left heel (right hand golfer). This is necessary for the upper body dynamic transfer of weight during the forward swing arc and to still catch the ball at the bottom of the arc. Thanks.
That is correct Jim. The ball will be 'inside' the target line and way out in front of your front foot.
Yes... Cover the ball with every club in the bag. The driver swing will have less 'cover', but the motion will remain relatively the same.
Yes. Ball is foward and closer (inside target line) to body.
The first time I tried this was on a Sunday in a tournament. Shot 69 and won.
For me, the sensation is hitting the ball with the right side. Because the upper body is moving laterally as well as around, keeping the majority of the weight ahead of the club until impact. you never get over the top. A late hit with proper forward shaft lean are produced.
My 'bill' is in the mail.
When covering the ball properly, the clubface remains square to the forward swing arc all the time (more of a path issue it seems). It sounds like your impact position is still too much from the inside. Get the clubface striking the ball at 3:00 and not 4:30.
Clubface is 'square to the forward swing arc' regardless of ball position.... always. Must realize that clubface is traveling left of target at impact position with this drill but it is still square to forward swing arc. Read more about this at my website.
Possible answer... You may be transferring your weight to the target on forward swing (as you should), but neglecting the 'turn to the target and beyond' as well. When you complete your forward swing... 2 checkpoints... 1. Right shoulder, right hip, and right foot toe (RH golfer) should be vertical straight line (dynamic transfer of weight). 2. Your hips should be pointing 'left' of target and your shoulders... further 'left' of target. I explain this in greater detail at my website.
Thanks.
I hesitate ALWAYS about the phrase..'drive the hips'. This inevitably leads to the 'head behind ball/fast spinning hips/flipping hands' position that this particular drill tries to eliminate. If you must think of something...think right leg/right side/right shoulder simultaneously transferring/turning through to the target (for right hand golfer) to a vertical finish. With this drill do expect to lose your balance 'to the target' when done properly. Look up dynamic weight transfer at my site.
Nice drill, good advice. Could have been said in 3 minutes, not ten.
I just watched a video on Golf.com about covering the ball. This was hosted by a top 100 teacher (I'll omit the name because I don't think it matter to my point). The aforementioned pro's description of covering the ball is terrible, and confusing, which will leave anyone clueless about what it means to cover the ball. Mr. Damore is the only pro that seems to really understand what it means - and more importantly, how to articulate it.
Do that drill for a day and you will be slicing for a month if it's not broke don't fix it.dont fire your hips plant your left foot first and the hips will follow
dont be silly if you come over the top with this drill you would miss the ball
"Don't get caught-up in where the ball goes on the range folks". What if it's getting side-ways and almost hitting the guy in the next lane? Just kidding :) Good tips.
There is to much advice on the the golf swing that's conflicts with one to the next.Probably the biggest and worst advice is getting parallel at the top.Many great drivers of the golf ball get to 3/4 and don't lose distance.For some people getting parallel just isn't worth the effort.Look at Tommy Armour 3 for a good example.And there are many more.This instructor is dead right about impact position.That is the key impact position who cares how you get there.Spieth has a chicken wing and he hits as many or more than any pro.My point find an instructor that works with what you bring to the table
LOL. patience
One good thing he doesn't repeat himself. Just hit the damn ball for christ sake.
Hahahaha
wow. is this a joke?!
blah blah blah, all these golf tips are a dime a dozen. just hit the damn ball!
***** Patience...my young Jedi!
stackleft of course
Lol..,that's like saying you want to learn basketball "just throw it in the hoop" or playing pool "hit the balls in the pockets" etc.
Maybe golf isn't for you. Unless you like just "hitting the ball" everywhere.
Great teacher. Bad language. Not necessary!