Hand-Eye Coordination Part 1
Throughout the 2013 newsletters I will attempt to mix up stretches, core strengthening, mental training and swing drills that do not necessarily involve going to the practice range. Hopefully between a garage, a back porch, a back yard, or a spare room, you will be able to carve out enough space to be creative when trying to execute the monthly tip.
In the drill for this month we will be learning how to throw a ball at a ball--and understanding why!
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| Picture 1 |
Twenty-five years ago I was introduced to Homer Kelley's book, The Golfing Machine by a gentlemen named Tom Tomasello. In the first hour I knew him, Dr. Tomasello explained how the golf swing could be as simple as learning how to throw a ball at a ball. Picture 1 shows the set up for this drill; notice how it emulates a golfer's set up.
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| Picture 2 |
You will see in Picture 2 that the right arm folds no more than 90 degrees and that my right elbow is under the hand at this point. This shows a good alignment of the right arm at the top of a completed backswing.
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| Picture 3 |
And then bam! From the top of the backswing simply straighten the arm so that the ball you are holding hits the ball on the ground. In Picture 3 notice how my right forearm is pointing directly at the ball that I am trying to hit. When the right forearm is pointing at the ball on the ground as I am releasing the ball from my hand, this means my right forearm is on plane and this is a good alignment in golf!
Chances are it will take more than one attempt to get this right. When you learn to the hit ball consistently you are enhancing your hand-eye coordination and training your right, or trailing, arm to swing more effectively.
Create enough space, don't hurt anyone, and have fun with this all-important right arm swinging drill.
P.S. A ping pong paddle and ball will help for next month.
Ted Frick
Owner/Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
TPI Level 1 Certified Golf Fitness Instructor
G.S.E.D., The Golfing Machine
tfrick@classicswing.com
