Stop struggling with your backswing and balance by using this easy 2-club drill for the proper swing width.
GOLF.com
Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a GOLF.com series in which we’re sharing improvements, learnings and takeaways from amateur golfers just like you — including some of the speed bumps and challenges they faced along the way.
If there’s one thing that I routinely struggle with in my golf swing, it’s my rotation.
Maybe it’s the former baseball player in me — where I needed to use quick motions in the batter’s box to hit a moving object — but anytime I stand over the ball, I’m too fast in my transition as I come to impact. This often results in my hands trailing, the clubface dragging and opening, leading to many of my shots spraying to the right (as a right-handed player).
My golf swing sequence is out of whack. Here’s how I’m fixing it
Sure, some of the issues can be cured by simply slowing down and focusing on my sequencing, but after taking a lesson with GOLF Top 100 Teacher Joe Plecker, there was an even easier fix: my feet positioning.
In the video below, Plecker analyzes where my feet are at address, and demonstrates how a 2-club cross drill can determine their proper width — creating more depth in the rotation and backswing for better shot results. Check it out and try it for yourself.
Use 2 clubs to determine the proper feet position in the golf swing
Until I took this lesson from Plecker, I never really thought twice about where my feet should be in the swing. I just sort of setup over the ball, kept them about shoulder-width apart and swung.
But Plecker gave me the cold hard truth after witnessing just one tee shot from me.
“I see something in how your feet are positioned here,” he said. “[How you currently are] is too narrow, and your toes are pointed in front.”
Many amateurs use their lead foot wrong in the golf swing. Here’s how to fix it
My first thought? How the hell have I played golf for nearly 30 years and this simple issue has never been fixed? After getting over that reality, Plecker continued — and finally helped cure the problem.
“I’m going to take two golf clubs and I’m going to cross them. Now put your left foot there, and then your right foot on the other side,” he told me. “Put the shaft [of the club you’re holding] across your thighs, and try to turn back till that shaft matches the one [on the ground].”
The image below shows how this should look.
GOLF.com
During my first attempt, it was a struggle to line up the shafts because the position of my feet were too narrow. This is where Plecker made some adjustments to widen my stance to create more depth in my backswing.
“Make your stance a little wider, flare your right knee and foot out, and now turn again into the backswing,” he said. “It [has to feel] a little easier, and your right foot [the trail foot] stays on the ground.”
Plecker then asked me to take the new stance and hit another drive, which produced an incredible result, with me bombing it 260 yards down the middle.
“That is how you’re supposed to pivot,” he said. “Anytime your feet get into a different position, you’ll feel sways or less turn or out of sorts. But this is a great drill to check your stance and check your pivot.”
So if you’re like me and often struggle with your rotation, try this 2-club cross drill before your next round to shore things up and feel how your pivot should be. Better shots should soon follow.
Rukket Sports Standing Turf Mat
$109.99
This 2′ by 4′ standing mat nests perfectly with either the Tri-Turf or XL Tri-Turf hitting mats to create a level hitting surface. Can also be used lengthwise as a combined hitting and standing mat.
Features
PRACTICE FROM HOME: The perfect addition to your home practice arsenal is here. The new Rukket Sports Level Up Mat Expander will make sure you’re hitting from a level plane while giving you a graphic for your feet placement. The Level Up Mat Expander fits all existing Rukket turf hitting mats.
HIT FROM A LEVEL SURFACE: When your practicing at home you want to feel as though your on the course hitting your approach shots to the green. Practicing from a level surface increases your consistency in your ball striking and transfers perfectly over to the course.
PERFECT YOUR STANCE: The alignment graphic allows you to set your feet up for practicing any type of shot. Whether it’s a high fade, low draw, stinger, or standard approach you’ll have everything you need right at your feet.
FITS ALL RUKKET TURFS: Cutouts on either side of the mat fit all existing Rukket Turf Mats securely for extended practice sessions. No more having to adjust the mat after each hit which means more time practicing.
Product Specs
24 in x 48 in
What’s in the Box
(1) Rukket Level Up Standing Mat with an alignment graphic
RUKKET FAIR PLAY GUARANTEE & LIFETIME WARRANTY: At Rukket Sports we know you came to win. We also understand that in order to win you need to train hard, so that’s why we’re proud to offer the Rukket Fair Play Guarantee & Lifetime Warranty for no-risk purchasing plus outstanding USA-based customer service!
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