The SECRET MOVE to SMASH your drives!

Summary

In this golf instructional video, the focus is on improving driver distance and accuracy by mastering the shallow swing path. The instructor emphasizes the importance of striking the ball with an upward angle, which is facilitated by shifting weight into the ball of the left foot during the downswing. By allowing the left arm to drop and maintaining a shallow swing path, golfers can maximize spin loft and ball speed. The video also offers a drill using two irons to simulate the feeling of a shallow impact. This technique helps golfers avoid a steep downswing, achieving smoother, longer drives.

Takeaways

• 😀 The driver has less loft compared to other clubs, leading to quicker ball speeds and longer distances.
• 😀 To hit the ball far with a driver, the golfer needs to strike the ball with a shallow, upward angle of attack.
• 😀 A shallow swing path is essential to achieve maximum distance with a driver and to avoid steep downswing angles.
• 😀 A steep downswing will hinder the ability to hit the ball with an upward angle, which is key for maximizing launch and spin loft.
• 😀 The ideal downswing for a driver involves a shallow motion, where the clubhead drops slightly behind the body.
• 😀 Avoid excessively shallow swings as it can make it harder to square the clubface and lead to poor shots.
• 😀 The lead arm (left arm for right-handed golfers) should drop during the downswing to allow for a shallower angle of attack.
• 😀 A helpful drill for feeling a shallow swing is to grip two irons like baseball bats and focus on the weight of the clubs dragging the shaft down.
• 😀 Shifting weight into the ball of the left foot (for right-handed golfers) during the downswing helps with the shallow club path and generates more speed.
• 😀 A proper weight shift, moving from the right glute to the ball of the left foot, naturally assists in creating a shallow swing path and a powerful hit.

Q & A

Why is the loft of the driver important for ball speed?

The driver has relatively little loft compared to other clubs, which helps generate higher ball speeds. The lower loft reduces the angle at which the ball is struck, allowing for a longer and faster flight.

What is the recommended impact position for hitting a driver?

For optimal ball flight with a driver, the club should approach the ball at a shallow angle of attack and ideally move upwards at impact. This helps in maximizing spin loft, which in turn leads to longer, straighter drives.

How should the downswing be different when hitting a driver versus an iron?

When hitting a driver, the downswing should be shallower compared to an iron. Irons benefit from a downward strike, while a driver requires a more horizontal and upward strike to optimize launch angle and distance.

What does it mean to 'shallow' the club on the downswing?

Shallowing the club refers to the action of the clubhead moving on a flatter, more horizontal path into the ball. This allows the golfer to strike the ball with an upward angle of attack, which is key for maximizing distance with the driver.

What role does the left arm play in achieving a shallow downswing?

The left arm, when properly positioned during the downswing, helps guide the club into a shallow approach. A common sign of a shallow downswing is the left arm dropping into position as the golfer turns through the ball.

Why is it problematic if the clubhead drops too far behind the body?

If the clubhead drops too far behind the body, the golfer will need to exert excessive force to square the clubface at impact. This can lead to inconsistent strikes and loss of control, resulting in poor shot accuracy.

What is the 'secret move' mentioned in the video for achieving a shallow downswing?

The secret move involves shifting pressure onto the ball of the left foot during the backswing and downswing. This shift naturally encourages the left arm to drop, helping to shallow the clubhead and allowing for a more efficient upward strike at impact.

How does shifting pressure to the ball of the left foot help improve the swing?

Shifting pressure to the ball of the left foot helps to drop the left arm naturally, which in turn shallows the club. This movement also facilitates a proper body turn, making it easier to achieve the desired upward attack angle with the driver.

Why does the body turn after shifting weight to the left foot?

The body turns as a reaction to the shift in pressure. As the pressure moves to the left foot, the left side of the body opens up naturally, assisting in the release of the club and helping to deliver the clubhead at the correct angle for maximum ball speed and control.

What is the purpose of the two-iron drill demonstrated in the video?

The two-iron drill helps golfers feel the proper sensation of a shallow downswing. By gripping two irons like a baseball bat, golfers can simulate the sensation of the club dropping down the shaft, helping to ingrain the correct shallow motion during the actual swing.