Golf: Gate

To encourage the pupil to develop a feel for the correct balance following the posture drill Encourage the pupil to follow the Bow and bounce exercise, then without moving the club or body position excessively, encourage the pupil to rock between the heels (1) and toes (2) to ensure the weight is correctly balanced on the balls of the feet.

To encourage the pupil use their hand eye coordination to create the correct depth perception and confidence for good ball striking. Encourage the pupil to swing clipping a golf tee out of the ground during the forward swing (1). The tee can be pressed into the ground more as the pupil gains confidence and skill. The smaller target (than the ball) encourages focus and makes the skill seem easier when the larger ball is introduced.

Put two balls one behind the other, about 30cm apart. with taking the club back try and push the back ball straight back and lift upnthe club

To encourage the pupil to develop feel for the correct lower body action during the swing. Encourage the pupil to make their swing imagining that their feet are asleep and steady during the backswing (1) and the rear foot wakes up in the forward swing (2). This is a particularly useful feeling for pupils who have overacting lower body motion in the backswing and little weight shift in the forward swing.

To encourage the pupil to develop a feel for controlled rhythm with good balance. Encourage the pupil to set up ready to hit the ball with the feet together rather than apart at shoulder width (1) apart. Narrowing the base encourages the pupil to swing with control to maintain their balance (2).

To encourage the pupil to develop central club face contact Place 1 or 2 tees either side of the object tee or ball to create a ?gate? for the club to swing through at impact (1). Start with a fairly wide gate, gradually narrowing as the pupil improves their skill. A similar drill is achieved with just one tee on the outside of the ball (2).

To encourage the pupil to maintain good balance. Encourage the pupil to imagine they are standing on an island. A number of tees / cones etc could be used to mark the island (1). The pupil should swing and hold a balanced position for the count of at least two seconds or until the ball lands (2).

To encourage the pupil to perceive the intended target line and check clubface alignment Encourage the pupil to place a coin, a short distance in front of the ball (within the pupils peripheral vision) as an intermediate point between the ball and the target (1). The pupil can use this to check alignment during practice (2). On course the pupil can use a piece of grass or a divot to serve the same purpose.

To encourage the pupil to maintain correct alignment Encourage the pupil to regularly lay a club shaft or other straight line, parallel to the ball to target line to allow them to check both club face aim and parallel body alignment.

To encourage the pupil to maintain correct alignment Encourage the pupil to regularly lay a club shaft or other straight line, parallel to the ball to target line to allow them to check both club face aim and parallel body alignment.

To encourage the pupil to move into the correct positioning during the backswing (back to waist height) Encourage the pupil to imagine shaking hands with someone at the point where the club shaft reaches waist height and parallel to the ground in the backswing (1). The front leading edge of the blade should point vertically (similar to the lift up and check drill in preparation) (2).

To encourage the pupil to check for correct weight distribution in the forward swing. Encourage the pupil to make their normal swing, at first just clipping a tee and check that the sole of the shoe furthest from the target is pointing away from the target at the finish of that swing (1). Later the ball can be introduced (2).

To develop the pupil?s ability to feel and perceive the correct backswing position. Encourage the pupil make the backswing movement then hold the position at any point. The pupil should then try to guess what position they are in before looking to see if they are right. The pupil is then allowed to look at that position, make any adjustments necessary to correct any errors and then move to the correct position to feel the difference without looking at it.

To encourage the pupil to develop consistent central contact. Place a ball on the outside of the object ball, leaving enough space to gain central contact on the clubface.The player should chip or pitch the ball without hitting the 2nd ball promoting hand eye co-ordination.

To encourage the player to develop consistent central contact. Place 3 tees in a row. The player should try and hit away the middle tee without touching the outside

To encourage the pupil to extend the action to a 3/4 swing. Following ,Brush away, encourage the pupil to hinge or cock the wrists so the club shaft forms a 90 degree angle with the lead arm. (Left arm for a right handed golfer)

To encourage the pupil to adopt a correct hold for the long game and pitching. Pupils begin by taking their hold of the club (1). The pupil should be able to point the forefinger of the lower hand straight down (2) and then curl it up again (3) to the shaft as if pulling the trigger of a gun.

To encourage the pupil to rotate their body correctly in order to maintain the extension of the arms in the forward swing. Encourage the pupil to point their arm furthest from the target at the ball with the arm nearest to the target behind their back (1). Make a swing back and forwards holding the forward swing finish position for a few seconds to check that: the arm points at the target the weight is onto the forward leg and the body has turned to face the target (2).