Golf: Use your thumb to feel the club face

By Brian O'Neill, PGA Professional

Boyne USA Resorts - Boyne Golf Academy

The more time I spend teaching the golf swing, the more I realize how important it is to keep things simple. Simplicity is often linked with “feeling” as it relates to the golf swing.

I have had great success in creating that type of feeling for many students who struggle with getting the clubface in a square and supported position during the golf swing. Give this drill a try:

Start by holding the club in your lead arm alone (left for right handed, and right for lefty). Set your thumb on top of the shaft and swing back to the top so you can feel your thumb support the shaft on the underside at the top of your swing, and pause for a moment.

Then swing through to your finish position and feel the thumb support the shaft on the underside again at the top of your follow through.

Perform that motion a few times and you will begin to feel the role the thumb plays in the golf swing. It will really heighten your sensitivity to a square clubface and a great support system for a solid swing.

Now place both hands on and try to re-create the same sensation. This exercise will get the clubface in a more square position and allow the golfer to feel the clubface being applied to the golf ball more squarely. Have fun with golf and feel the clubface with your thumb!

Many Birdies.

Brian O’Neill is Director of Golf Instruction
at Boyne USA Resorts Boyne Golf Academy



 

This is part of the online edition of Northern Michigan Life.

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