How to Improve Your Game With Golf Swing Drills

Practicing with swing drills may help you improve your game.

Swing drills are simple exercises that are used to help golfers visualize how to better execute the parts of the golf swing. Golf swings require coordinated and perfectly timed movement of the arms, hands, shoulders and legs. If one swing component is done incorrectly, the result is almost always a poor shot. Swing drills help golfers address problem areas in their swings that are holding them back from reaching their potential.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Rubber band
• Golf clubs
• Practice balls

Instructions

Towel Drill

1. Use a towel drill recommended by premier golf instructor David Leadbetter. Roll the towel lengthwise. Grasp the rolled towel with your hands about a foot apart. Start with some slack in the towel.

2. Simulate your normal backswing and downswing, stretching the towel tightly as you go. Repeat the movement several times until you get the feel of a wider swing arc.

3. Using the towel you carry on your golf bag, repeat the drill on the driving range as you warm up for your round or even out on the course.

4. Incorporate this isometric exercise in your regular fitness routine. It can help improve muscle tone as well as help you improve your golf swing.

The One-Piece Takeaway

1. Take a large rubber band and place it around the middle of both forearms.

2. Hit a half dozen short shots--half swing pitching wedges. If you feel irritation from the rubber band stretching, it means your arms are not working as a unit as you take the club back.

3. Concentrate on making a one-piece takeaway that is smooth and consistent. Instructor Randy Smith in “Breaking 100, 90, 80” recommends this drill to help you prevent letting the right elbow collapse and move toward your body as you swing back.

Choose a Target on Driving Range

1. Begin by picking an area on the right side of the driving range to aim for.

2. Set two clubs on the ground parallel to each other pointing at the target, one just above the ball and one behind the spot where your feet will be.

3. Take your stance and address the ball using the two clubs on the ground to check your alignment.

4. Hit five to 10 shots from this position, focusing on the target.

5. Line the two clubs up to point at a target on the left side of the range and practice hitting toward that target. This drill should help you improve your accuracy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you feel reluctant to swing a golf towel in front of your golf buddies, you can do much the same drill by taking a club and grasping it on opposite sides of the shaft, then making a simulated swing. This is also a good stretching exercise to warm up before a round.

• Never overdo any exercises or drills to the point you feel muscle fatigue.

References

• Golf Digest: Get Wide for Bigger Drives
• “Breaking 100, 90, 80”; Edited by Scott Smith and the Staff of Golf Digest; 2004