How to Train Your Golf Swing With 1 Simple Tool

Use this simple tool to train your golf swing.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A properly fitted golf club, the long (EMPTY!) cardboard box that your new clubs came in, and some range balls.

1. This assumes that you play golf already. Start by warming up on the driving range and hit about 15 balls with your custom-fitted 7-iron or 7-wood. A 5-iron or 5-wood are ok too. Don't worry about where they go, just warm up.

2. If you're not sure how to set up the box, ask a pro how to do it. If you have any injuries or aches, or unconventional golf positions, consult a doctor and a pro first.

3. Your goal will be to hit a ball lying fairly close to the box without hitting the box.

4. Place the cardboard golf club box -- EMPTY! -- on the ground and aimed length-wise at your target. Make sure you're on a driving range hitting from grass-covered ground or an artificial grass range mat.

5. Without hitting the box, make a few soft practice swings and let the club softly brush the ground about 5 or 6 inches from the box. Make sure when you set up that the box isn't between you and the ball -- it should be 5 - 6 inches outside of the ball.

6. Place a ball about 5 or 6 inches from the box, relatively centered along the length of the box. A little farther forward (toward the target) is fine, but don't place the ball behind the center of the box.

7. Start by hitting a few SOFT shots from this ball position. You should be able to hit the ball without hitting the box. If you just touch the box it's ok, just re-set and do it again. If you hit the box you may just make a hole in it.

8. Your goal is to hit the ball and not hit the box, so on successive shots move the ball about 1/2 inch closer to the box until there is about 1 to 2 inches of space between the toe of your club and the box. With each successive shot, slowly begin to increase your swing speed to near your normal speed.

9. The effect of the box is to keep your club from getting 'outside' of the ball either before or after impact. You should see straighter shots. If you're not, then you need to consult a pro. Either your grip is causing bad shots, your clubface isn't aimed properly, or your club doesn't fit this swing.

10. Now take the box away. Your shots should be flying straighter. If not, put the box back.

11. If you hit the box often it means your swing path is incorrect, and usually means your balance is off. Slow down your movements until you can hit soft shots without hitting the box, then slowly increase your speed.

Tips & Warnings

• The box acts as a guide or outside parameter to train your swing path.
• Use the box often and you'll train your swing faster. It's one of the best and least expensive training devices available.
• A long, soft, circular foam pool toy is a good substitute for the box as well.
• If you know someone who has the 'shanks' this is a great training device. If they still shank it, check with a pro for the proper fit of the club.
• A biomechanically correct golf swing path isn't inside-to-out, or outside-to-in, nor is it straight down the line, but is slightly inside-to-inside, so as to miss the box.
• Start slowly. If you do hit the box either the box will bounce away or the club will make a hole in the box. If your hand positions are correct it shouldn't hurt to touch the box.

Resources

• Click Here for Clubfitting Info