Instruction
5 drills that can ruin your golf swing
Let’s face it, struggling golfers will try any and every drill that’s ever existed; anything that’s ever been prescribed in magazines, on TV, or by their best golfing buddy. And while many of them are actually helpful, some are downright useless… and potentially harmful to your game.
In this article, I offer my take on the 5 drills that can ruin your golf swing.
5. The Feet Together Drill
I know this is probably the oldest golf drill in the world, but really, what does it do?
By putting your feet together, you can’t possibly use your pivot to move the club, thus you’re effectively grooving improper sequencing. I know the drill is supposed to work on your tempo and balance, but properly sequencing the way your body and club work throughout the swing is the only sure way to good balance. So don’t tear down sequencing when trying to fix your balance; it’s counterintuitive.
4. Left Foot Back Drill
This drill is often given to players working on “clearing their hips,” or “activating” their lower body. And while it can serve its purpose, it can also be extremely dangerous.
If you hit balls at a slower-than-normal speed, I will accept using this drill, but I never see anyone doing this drill at anything other than full speed. That’s detrimental because when you take a rip at it with your left foot back, you’re ensuring that your right shoulder fires forward first, causing you to come over the top almost instantly. Any golfer knows that engraining an over-the-top move is almost never ideal. So ditch this drill unless you have a special reason for using it, and keep your swing speed low.
3. The Pump Drill
How many people have you seen using this move to try and increase their lag or keep the right arm in front of the body? What people do not understand is this position is a by-product of a proper pivot motion, coupled with the proper external rotation of the rear shoulder. It’s not a position that can be manufactured, or trained in this manner whatsoever.
A better feeling would be to either lay the shaft down during the downswing — thus shallowing out your swing and getting the club to come from the inside — or rotating the bottom hand skyward on the downswing. If you want more information or drills on external rotation, I suggest checking out Joe Mayo a.k.a. @TrackmanMaestro.
2. Hook it with the Hands Drill
Before you cry foul and tell me that this drill has saved your life and stopped you from hitting slices forever, let me explain. Yes, we need to have the face left of the path in order to draw the ball. This drill trends to over-exaggerate this movement, though.
When people practice this movement without the proper understanding of the new ball-flight laws, they tend to over-rotate the face so it’s pointing left of the target at impact. This is not what we want, because that will cause the ball to start left and go farther left.
Remember, the club face is the main factor in determining starting direction. Therefore, to hit a draw, the club face needs to actually point right of the target line and left of the path, which creates the coveted push-draw.
1. The Split-Handed Drill
People tell me this drill helps them understand the feeling of “setting” the club, and how it “unloads” in the downswing. The feeling I get from swinging with a split grip, however, in no way mimics anything in the golf swing that’s normal, or in anyway useful. For hockey players, it could possibly help compare the golf swing to the slap shot, but that’s a stretch. To me, the split-handed drill teaches people how to use the left wrist as a fulcrum in the downswing, which is never a good thing.
Ben Hogan once said he “wished he had three right hands,” but that would be deadly for the average player. It would cause the right side to dominate the left side, leading to flipping in most golfers. That adds excessive loft during impact, creating higher than normal trajectories and reduced distances. Pass on this drill.
Have questions about your favorite drills? Ask me about them in the comments section, and I will do my best to answer as many questions as I can.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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David aceto
Mar 31, 2025 at 5:42 pm
I’m only familiar with the feet together drill pete Cowan said 90 percent of all golfers should play this way I agree I hit some of my best shots ever playing this way
Scott
Nov 22, 2016 at 10:53 am
Thanks Tom. The article says 5 drills that “can” ruin your game. Not “will” ruin your game.
I have swung with my feet together to slow my tempo down, but I agree, other than a few swings like that, the drill did nothing for me. Others seem to have benefited from the drills, which are great. I see a lot of people, including myself in the past, taking drills to an unnatural level, which can cause other problems.
stephenf
Nov 16, 2016 at 3:14 pm
Yeah. So ignore the drills that guys like Toski, Flick, and Leadbetter think might be good. Okay.
I mean, come on. Most drills are used to isolate certain aspects or elements of the swing, so that — for instance — the feet-together drill has nothing at all to do with pivot in the first place. And most aren’t intended to be full-speed or full-force. They’re for specific purposes, which some of the best teachers in the history of the game have identified.
Leftienige
Nov 13, 2016 at 6:01 am
Reminds me , next week sees the release of my new best-seller , the 3rd in the trilogy
“Another 5,000 things to remember during your Golf-swing”. Cheers all , Nige .
DaveT
Nov 11, 2016 at 8:52 pm
I expected to disagree with at least some of the examples. I was pleasantly surprised to find this article spot-on. At various times I have tried each of these drills. With the possible exception of #1 (feet together) I found it teaching the wrong thing overall for a good golf swing. And even #1 is only useful if you are working on balance pure and simple. If you’re working on anything else, it probably does more harm than good. Right on, Mr. Stickney.
You wrong
Jul 30, 2023 at 4:51 pm
Wrong. Split hand teaches rotation, weight shift, and in to out swing while staying in posture.
Ray Bennett
Nov 11, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Great stuff. Unfortunately the wisdom of this article will be lost on the multitude of golfers who will never understand or get to feel the real swing as a direct result of popular golf instruction . if it was that easy everybody would be able to do it.
Ronnie
Nov 10, 2016 at 8:37 pm
This article is not a complete shank, but I do have some issues with it. Every drill has a purpose when it is used correctly and explained. #1 is my favorite drill for multiple reasons, but if used incorrectly I can see how it can mess up your swing. That is the point of having a good golf professional. It is our job to simplify the drill and explain what the desired goal of that drill is. Not a single drill listed in this article will ruin your swing if used correctly and for the right purpose. I always instruct my students to not take any drill I give them to extreme measures.
Steven
Nov 10, 2016 at 2:20 pm
Wow, this seems to be one of the more contentious articles. I tend to agree with Tom. There are a few drills that are common that may help with 1 aspect of the swing but will cause a different problem. Some golfers, myself included, are good at over exaggerating parts of the swing, so a drastic drill like these cause me different problems. I think the key is to find drills that teach fundamental parts of the swing in a proper swing motion. I could be wrong though because each golfer does need slightly different instruction because we all learn differently.
pepperwhiteknight
Nov 10, 2016 at 10:50 am
My buddy has been using a few of the drills listed especially the feet together. He over swings, crosses the line at the top, has a loop in his swing, and sets up with his feet so close together. But the real problem is not the drill. It is the lack of knowledge and understanding of what he is doing. He doesn’t stick to one thing and is constantly changing because he wants instant results. Like he is fishing for the solution and hoping it works. If he goes and gets lessons from a pro they might give him a drill but chances are they will also make some tweaks to his setup and ask him to stop trying to smash the ball to the moon.
Ronald Montesano
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:14 pm
I use the feet-together drill to cure my high school golfers of excessive stack-and-tilt that was taught to them by underinformed golf teachers. I find it to be effective in this specific case.
Looper
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:52 pm
I guess you are the stack and tilt whisperer??? Every teacher good or bad has whatever knowledge they’ve learned, not one contains every piece of the puzzle. Tough to judge with such a broad stroke… I guess all your students are on tour???
Jack
Nov 10, 2016 at 4:51 am
Huh? He is more advising against stack and tilt rather than for it. Not sure where all that pent up hate is coming from. Not to mention he’s a contributor here, so someone with decent knowledge.
Smokin' Gun
Nov 10, 2016 at 5:49 pm
It’s called an opinion, that hate word gets thrown around way to much now… Who cares if he’s a contributor, or has decent knowledge… Wow, way to sensitive man…
justin case
Nov 11, 2016 at 10:05 am
too much
…and
too sensitive.
You wrong
Jul 30, 2023 at 4:52 pm
Wrong. Split hand teaches rotation, weight shift, and in to out swing while staying in posture.
Ronald Montesano
Nov 11, 2016 at 5:21 am
I believe that Stack and Tilt requires a fair amount of muscular strength, as you are working without the load-back and shift-forward of a traditional swing. One particular golfer is neither tall nor strong, so his stack and tilt was absolutely killing his chances at distance. I put him into the feet-together position and he started to understand how to shift weight a bit back, then forward (odd as that sounds.) It’s up to him to keep at it, but I would certainly opt for the adjacent-feet technique in similar situations, as a point of departure.
Smokin' Gun
Nov 12, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Agree completely, the one most important facet that stack and tilt reveals in bodi trak is that there still is a shift to right but COP remains centered. As a drill with the feet together, it will stimulate a steady head, plus a centered point of pressure…
Robert
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:10 pm
Rated Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, well Golf Magazine you just lost my subscription. wow
Grizz01
Nov 11, 2016 at 9:43 am
hahahahaahha… well put.
Rich
Nov 9, 2016 at 8:39 pm
Tell Rory McIlroy the feet together drill doesn’t work. He swears by it for his balance and I’m pretty sure he’s doing OK. To each their own.
John Yacobellis
Nov 9, 2016 at 8:19 pm
Tom,
Please stop using the term “new ball flight laws.” The laws of physics have not changed, even for top golf teachers. What has changed is that many teachers are finally admitting their past ignorance, and it took Trackman to do it. Ball flight laws are immutable, and consulting a basics physics book, if the PGA and all the gurus had taken the time or made the effort, could have set them straight and helped instead of hindered countless students the last 150 years.
Philip
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:12 pm
They are no different than scientists or doctors – fact is, no one likes to admit they were wrong as many see admitting mistakes as a weakness. But yeah, last I checked the laws of physics haven’t changed since I came into being.
Jim
Nov 11, 2016 at 12:52 pm
The ‘ancient’ ball flight laws still apply in a primordial sense. We knew about ‘face override’ before Trackman, and new golfers need to understand path & face. Unless someone has a significant lack or loss of mobility, I’m not teaching them an outside in or ‘pull swing’. You can replicate the “9 possible ball flights” faithfully by the described paths & face angles… and to move the club into impact with continued acceleration and power people need to at least ‘THINK’ it’s going inside out even if it ends up just square…I think it’s the “laws” part that leads to the conflicts…also, someone forgot to include “straight up in the air” as one 😉 if it’s on a tee
Rors
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:54 pm
Amen…
Jack
Nov 10, 2016 at 4:53 am
It’s not like humanity changes, but the laws governing them could change. That’s all he means. How else would you call it?
devilsadvocate
Nov 10, 2016 at 7:07 am
Really? Guess what there are NEW ball flight laws because what used to be taught has been PROVED incorrect by New technology. The term NEW ball flight laws could not be more applicable. Maybe do a little research before you decide to question a professional. It’s students like you that go take a lesson, listen to NOTHING the teacher says and disagree constantly. Then you go play 9 holes and play like (removed) and tell all your buddies that instructor doesn’t know what he’s talking about.
tom stickney
Nov 10, 2016 at 11:36 am
John–
It would have helped us all if you had published your ball flight law findings much earlier…
I'm Ron Burgundy???
Nov 11, 2016 at 11:13 pm
Gotta love keyboard Cowboys like “Big John”!
TonyK
Nov 9, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Feet together to me is the best drill that instantly works even during a round.
David M
Nov 11, 2016 at 9:57 am
Agreed 1000% – this article is crapola
Mitch Young
Nov 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm
i would say the pump drill is by far the worst drill you can do in golf. anytime a drill that focuses on establishing a static position from a dynamic movement is doomed for failure. it would be equivalent to teaching a quarterback through a foot ball by putting his throwing elbow in front of his head and have him throw it from that position. total nonsense.
GMatt
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:56 am
To each his own…..
Tim Schoch
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:32 am
I’m a sponge for exaggerated swinging. It always works its way into my golf swing, which is not a good thing. I wish I could soak up the feeling and movements of the real golf swing as readily. Ergo, I’m not a fan of swinging drills. I am a fan of position drills, hitting drills, and drills designed to focus on specific things, like keeping your arms close together. I think you need to find the drill that works for you, then don’t overdo it. Use it to get a feeling back, then focus on the whole swing and where your ball is going. So although this article is too all-inclusive for me, I think it is a good reminder that some drills, sometimes, could actually hurt your swing–especially if you do them incorrectly (which is probably a bigger problem).
Jim
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:25 am
All drills, like any exercise need to be done corrctly to produce the desired results. There’s a book of 1000. Some people have WAY too much time on their hands to even think up some of this crap. I use maybe 6, and only 3 of them on all students at some point.
The feet together – With the left foot 1/2 way back – DONE PROPERLY, with the least amount of body movement possible and literally ‘dropping the hands’ from chest high and learning to ‘steer with the lead hand’ while teaching the power hand to wait is incredibly successful, and 90% of the time it’s the “closer” on a first lesson that signs people up for packages. Gravity fed, NO ‘downswing’ hip turn, just learn to hit & release, then learn to speed up the hands – seperate from the hitting muscles…It will produce 70% of your total distance with any club 🙂
Christian Gau
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:07 am
The feet together drill allows you to work on your balance while swinging a club. In order to counterbalance the weight of the arm/club unit (actually it’s the gravitational force pulling on your shoulder sockets once you start swinging the club), you use your posterior. Sure you can train that with feet apart but some of us tend to sway and resist proper hip movement (that includes me). So this drill is very far away from being useless. Refer to Shawn Clement for further details.
Harold Bolzagna
Nov 9, 2016 at 11:06 am
The feet together drill is one of the greats for establishing rotation within the swing. Try swaying and make a swing with your feet together.
Sorry, you couldn’t be more wrong with that start to your brilliant article.
Matt
Nov 9, 2016 at 10:58 am
Feet together drill helps me a lot. I tend to slide my hips at the target instead of rotating around my body, and I’ve yet to find a better drill for that problem.
Pete
Nov 9, 2016 at 10:07 am
Shank. lol
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Alex Jackson
Nov 9, 2016 at 9:14 am
Feet together drill is great for players who have excess lower body action (too much hip slide, etc.). It’s a drill to get unstuck.
I wouldn’t say it’s a bad drill, rather a drill for the minority of golfers that have this problem.
steve kemlo
Nov 9, 2016 at 10:15 am
this drill worked for me as i had to much hip movement,starting striking my irons much more solid and knocked 2 shots of my handicap
Donald Quiote
Nov 9, 2016 at 10:18 am
I have a bad habit of at times my lower body gets way ahead of my upper body…there is one result for this every time…shank or you could call it the hosel rocket. The feet together drill is always a go to for me just to get things back under control. I definitely think this drill has a use.