GGA May Instructional Etip - Callaway Driver Winner, Position # 3 Etip, Congrats Rick, Callaway "Gas" Giveaway, and more!

Whatever you want to call it, many asked the question: Why is it so hard to hit position that position (position #3)?

(Click HERE for reference photo)

First, we must discuss face vs. path vs. speed. And break these three areas down to discuss why it is difficult to hit position # 3.

These are the only 3 characteristics in the golf swing that matter - whether you are hitting a 1 foot putt or a 250+ yard drive - face of golf club, path of golf club and speed. Everything you do in your swing/putt/chip/pitch, etc.. effects path, face and speed and is affected by path, face and speed.

You need to have all these areas correct / maximized for you to hit your best shot. Now let's focus on each area and ultimately determine how we can get to position # 3.

First:

If you want to put a percentage on the affect - you could estimate face angle will account for 75%+ of the golf shot, whereas path would account for 25% or less. Please read that closely - as so many are tied into path - you MUST first account for a square face at impact, and then account for the path. If you don't, you will be literally "fighting a loosing battle" as you can get a perfect path, and if you face angle is off by only a few degrees at impact, you will never see improvement. In other words, read this closely - you can have a perfect on plane swing (perfect path) and hit it TERRIBLE if you face angle is off by only a few degrees at impact. In fact, your plane could be perfect and you will think you are shanking the ball if your face is too open at impact...

Face is grip - grip is face, face is grip, grip is face, etc.. Think you get my point...

Everyone who creates even minimal speed with have a flat lead wrist at impact as the body "wants" the back of the hand to face the target when making impact -

(Click HERE for reference photo)

The "kicker" is which way is the back of your hand pointing at impact?

You can prove this very easy for yourself.... set up like you are going to hit a golf shot next to something soft (like the arm of a "soft" handled couch, or a pillow on the bed..") without a golf club in your hand. Like you are imitating a golf swing without the club. Now drop your trail hand/arm against your trail side and leave your lead hand in the set up position. Now swing your lead arm/hand like you are hitting a golf shot. Go back and through until you hit the arm of the couch/pillow, etc.. Do about 1/4 speed, then if it doesn't hurt... a little faster. Hold the finish position when your hand meets the pillow/arm... Look at your lead wrist. It will naturally flatten and your will hit with the back of your lead hand (not the side, not the thumb, etc..) As you create more speed, the more the back of the hand will "slap" into the target.

Now, put your hand on the club with the understanding that you want a flat lead wrist at impact. If your hands are not on the club correctly, as your wrist flattens at impact, your face angle will be shut or open. Yes, don't even worry about the path of the club... I know you want to and I know you are thinking single axis, one plane swing, Moe's path, etc.. but don't worry about it, because to be honest, it really isn't going to matter to you. If you don't have a good grip on the club, there is absolutely no way you will hit position # 3 consistently or maybe ever. You might get the club in the position, but the face will be open or closed, and with the results that will occur, you won't want to do it again... It is like driving a car with only 3 wheels, car looks good, sounds great, good luck when you want to create some speed....

How do you master the grip - check it often. Look at our instructional pictures and training video(s) to learn what a good/perfect grip (hands on the club) is. Check it before and AFTER you swing. You can (many do) change the grip when they are swinging the club. GET OUR TRAINING GRIP CLUB in your hands... I used to "beat around the bush" about this - but I am done with that.... I have had SO MANY students tell me they could have saved so much time if they just got the club in their hands earlier... done being "wishy/washy" about this, Todd, Brent, Scott, myself and all my teachers practice with this club all the time.. you won't find one of our bags without one.... would bet 95%+ of our alumni have one in their bags (ask them on our forum...) not going to talk about it more here - you can see detail HERE. To be honest, I believe for many the single BEST investment they will ever make for their golf game besides our instructional material!!!!

Here is a quick testimonial about the Training Club:

From Dan O.

Need some more advice---had decided time to get new clubs but have hit the ball better than ever-more consistent, longer 1 less iron now 7 to 155--straighter and I tribute that to your practice club i bought last fall. My trail hand thumb and index are now closer to the right spot doing the right thing and I had tried every position possible . Wedge both--56 and 48 are on the money 115 and in -- Hail to the practice grip club!!! What a difference it has made 83--77-82 tied my all time low at 77 with a 36 on the back side which I had never done.

Next is Path (and Speed) as they work together...

With a proper grip, now you can work on your path. The kicker here is you MUST (not need) to work on path without a club in your hands. You have created habits with the golf club in your hand - some of the habits are good, some not so good. But they are habits.

Work with something like our PVC drill, a broom handle, something that doesn't register as a golf club in your head.

Now work VERY SLOWLY on your back swing and down swing - working on dropping your trail shoulder into position # 3. Yes, it will feel like you are dropping your trail shoulder down. Some describe it as driving the grip end of the club straight down, vertically dropping the arms (Moe's description), putting your trail elbow in your back pocket, etc. All these are feelings, but they might help you with your mental picture of getting to position # 3. Make sure as you are "dropping" your trail shoulder the club stays on plane. Does not get outside. To do this, do it VERY SLOWLY - I can emphasize this enough... it you think it is slow now, go slower. I remember Ken describing working with Sandy Lyle and making him take a "one minute" golf swing.... in other words, take one minute to swing the club in super slow motion.... feel and see the positions, the more you see and feel the more you can repeat.

Also understand, as you start to swing faster, you body will "naturally" want to open or pull the lead shoulder out. It is a "natural" type move to pull the lead shoulder out when you want to create more speed. This is EXACTLY what we don't want to do. As you speed up, the trail shoulder still needs to drop under... all the more reason to only speed up very little at a time.... start very SMALL and work up VERY slow.

Next hint to help with path and speed. As you reach position # 3, your lead knee MUST be flexed (will actually still be flexed at impact). If you lead knee isn't flexed, the straightening of the knee will pull the lead shoulder out and cause you to come outside in (club outside path and position # 3). A straight lead knee makes it almost impossible to hit position # 3.

Next hint - drill. Seems very easy, but it might be the most effective drill we "preach" working on position # 3.

If your mind/body senses you can't square the face of the club at impact when you go through position # 3, chances are you won't hit position # 3 in the downswing.

So - start by learning how to square the club at impact from position # 3. Yes, first you must have a good grip (as described above). Then, take the club only to parallel to the ground in the backswing. With a leverage bag to stop impact (and will show you immediately by feel and look if face of club is square at impact), swing to the bag. KEEP your knees flexed and feet down at impact. Go to position # 3 do it again and again and again, etc... Convince the mind/body you can square the face of the club at impact from the proper position # 3. The leverage bag (used by ALL professionals) it one of the best tools to show and feel face angle at impact.

You can see this drill HERE, Pay attention to pictures # 6 - # 9.