Tip of the Month

May 2004

By John Pallot
Director of Instruction

With purses on the PGA Tour growing larger and competition more intense,seeking the secrets of swings producing longer,straighter shots becomes ever more important. Incredibly, 300 yard drives on narrow fairways are not uncommon. Terms such as strong grip, neutral grip, on plane, under plane, body release, hand release, trap it, and nuke it have become a big part of the jargon of players, teachers, and analysts. Swinging "on plane" is the number one objective for tour players, low handicappers, and even high handicappers. Vijay Singh was practicing at Doral with a club-shart at 45 degrees stuck in the ground. Tiger takes 45 degree practice swings above the ground. All video systems have a line superimposed on the club-shaft at address.

Here's two suggestions designed to get you swinging "on plane":

1. Use the pre-set drill. This gives you a feel for the wrists setting early, then arms finish swinging to the top of the backswing. The swing has two steps:set the angle, arms to the top, hit the ball.. Look at the pictures. This drill trains you to swing on plane
2. Hold a soccer ball between your hands. Assume your golf posture. Let your arms swing back and throw the ball over your right shoulder. This keeps your left wrist flat and your right arm perpendicular to the ground at the top.

These are key components in an "on plane" backswing. Practicing these drills will allow you to "nuke it" like the pros.