Lesson #2

Walking Drill

Getting into a good balanced finish with all the weight on the left (front) foot is the goal for every swing. At impact, the weight should already be 80% on the left. There is a potential error in shifting your weight to the left side: pushing your leading hip toward the target for power. This is what causes the "sliding" affect; your hips not turning but moving latterly toward the target in a "Bump" dance move (Remember the 70's?). The proper weight transfer method is done by using the "Walking" drill:

Find an open area where you can walk for about 10 yards and have about 3 yards on both sides. (The driving range is not a good place, too many people and too much liability). Your backyard is better. But you make the call if no one is around.

With a wedge (or something short - drivers can kill), address the club well above the ground. You are not going to hit anything, just swing. Take a short step with the right leg and turn to the right with the shoulders. This will load all your weight to your right side at the top of the swing. Keep looking down and straight ahead.

Take a step forward with your left leg. As the weight begins to be placed on that left leg, start to turn your shoulders. Notice that you "Step" first, then turn. This is the most important part of the drill. If you turn then step, you will not "whip" the club, the club will "whip" you and cause an unbalanced, wobbly walk. If you do this "Step then Turn" move, the club will swing it's self. A beautiful and effortless thing to achieve - what makes pro's look like they know what they are doing and amateurs look that they don't.

As you turn through impact, all the weight should be on the left leg. That leg should be locked and used to balance all your weight. Let your arms swing high.

Don't stop there! Take a step with the right and swing back to the top. You are ready to rinse and repeat. You should be able to walk straight and smooth in a nice tempo that looks like those old farmers with sickles did cutting grass before lawn mowers.

To translate this back to the normal golf swing, you need to think of the weight transfer as a simple walk to the left side. Here is the beauty of this drill: the faster you walk, the harder you are going to hit the ball. There are good ways to hit the ball harder and there are bad ways. Turning faster is the good way. Swatting your arms and hands harder is the bad way. There are two reasons. 1) You can time the turn better then you can your arms and hands and 2) You are stronger with the legs and stomach then the arms and hands. Use the bigger muscles for the power and the smaller muscles for control.