Golf Tips: Find YOUR Percentage To More Consistent Golf

One of the most over used reasons for hitting a bad shot I hear from students is that they “swung too fast.” The fact is, we as teachers, actually want you to swing faster! When you feel that you have swung too fast, in fact, it’s not the increase in speed that you are feeling; it is the lack of timing. So if one part of the body out races another part, you will feel uncoordinated and out of balance, which immediately tells your brain that it was too fast.

I have actually tested some students’ swing speeds of the “too fast” motion versus the “slowed down” version. And the “slowed down” version is actually faster 99% of the time. What the student is really feeling is correct timing when all of the parts are moving together, which feels smoother and “slower.” Folks, it’s physics. You can’t swing a club slower and make it go farther. I teach my students to swing as aggressively as they can, as long as the shot is still efficient. Efficient simply means that it has as much power that can be generated while not losing accuracy. Try this drill to find your efficient swing.

When you go to the range, tee up a ball using your driver. Hit five balls with a full swing at 10% of your power; hit five more with 20% of your power; hit five more with 30% of your power, etc.

Remember, you need to be taking a full swing while doing this. As you are climbing the “ladder” during the drill, there will be a percentage that you feel that the efficiency is slipping away. Let’s say at 50% you are making very solid contact, you can’t believe how far the ball is going, and it is straight. But when you kick it up to 60%, the ball is not hit in the middle of the clubface as often, the ball is not going as far, and low and behold it is more crooked. Well, you now know a barometer for you. You need to swing at 50% of your power. In reality, this is really your 100% power now because at that percentage the ball acts the best and most consistent.

Go out and give this drill a try, I think you’ll be surprised at what percentage you play your best golf!!

Steven Whidden is a PGA Master Professional and the Director of Instruction at Rosedale Golf & Country Club and the owner of the Steve Whidden Golf Academy. He can be reached at [email protected] or 756-0004.