Left Handed Version of "The Best in Golf" Page 3 -- Golf Swing Training

by Steve Fontaine
Valley Golf
Saginaw, MI
copyright 2003
All rights reserved
FREE Full Printable Version of Left-handed "The Best in Golf" Golf Tips
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Developing golfing skills through training: Impact Drills for Improving Your Golf Swing

Swing training
Impact drills were once a very popular building block for developing a good swing. Impact drills have stood the test of time. The old school training technique should not be left out of any training program. In general, an impact drill is a short stroke, in which, the main objective is to produce firm, crisp, square strikes on the ball. If done regularly, good ball striking becomes more and more instinctive. When you take a longer stroke, the body tends to make automatic adjustments that put you in proper position to strike the ball. In theory, you can take your club back to just about anywhere and potentially hit good shots on a consistent basis.

Impact training is most effective when balls are available. The impact drill itself does not require balls, however, it's purpose is for improving ball striking abilities. Having balls to strike between your impact drills will give you the feedback you need to get the most from what impact drills have to offer.

To do impact drills, you need to have something firm to use as an impact bag. Something that will stop the club without the potential to cause injury. A rolled up piece of remnant carpet (preferably foam backed) will work in place of a real impact bag. The back edge of the impact bag takes the place of the golf ball. With a short stroke, strike the bag. If your wrists buckle or you feel a little out of balance, you did not get in a good striking position. The left hip, left shoulder and hands should feel like they are a team, all striking the bag at the same time. You don't want to see how hard you can hit the bag. Only strike it hard enough for you to feel that you achieved a good striking position. Alternate between impact drills and striking the balls with the same stroke. It only takes minor adjustments to change your ball flight. To keep your drills a matched set, the backstroke of the impact drill should feel like a smaller version of the turning drill.

 

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