| Tiger Woods hits his irons straighter and more | | | | weight is over the right foot and you feel resistance |
| accurately than most pros. By swinging the club | | | | in your right knee and right thigh. |
| exactly the same way, he's able to repeat his golf | | | | Retain the force of the swing |
| swing again and again and again. The more he | | | | Settle your weight smoothly back on your left side |
| repeats his swing, the more often he generates | | | | and start to unwind the upper body, as you move |
| predictable results. For Tiger, predictable results mean | | | | into the downswing. Also, drop your right elbow (for |
| more tournament wins and higher earnings. For the | | | | right handers) down to your side. This flattens the |
| rest of us, it means better scores and lower golf | | | | swing slightly. (This is Herb Pennick's "Magic Move," |
| handicaps. | | | | which I've previously covered in my golf tips.). As |
| Building a repeatable swing is ultimately the goal of all | | | | you shift your weight to the left side, your right heel |
| golf instruction. The secret to producing a repeatable | | | | comes off the ground slightly. Try retaining the 90 |
| swing with your irons is keeping the clubface square | | | | degree angle between your left wrist and the club's |
| to the swing path. Failing to do so forces you to | | | | shaft as long as possible. Your hands lead the club |
| make compensatory moves to return the clubface | | | | into the ball at impact. |
| square to the ball. | | | | Open your shoulders at impact |
| Five other keys to building a repeatable swing are | | | | It's a common belief that your shoulders should |
| Staying connected: | | | | return to a square position at impact. I always |
| One common factor among good players, in addition | | | | address this point when giving golf lessons. In fact, |
| to low golf handicaps, is "staying connected" during | | | | your shoulders should occupy a slightly open position |
| the swing. In other words, good players feature a | | | | at impact, ensuring that the club has the room |
| one-piece takeaway from the ball, which I often | | | | needed to travel on the correct path through the ball. |
| stress in my golf tips and golf lessons. Staying | | | | In short, your body has to "get out of the way" for |
| connected means that everything-your club hands, | | | | consistent ball striking with your irons. Finish with a |
| arms, and shoulders-moves away from the ball in | | | | balanced follow-through. |
| unison as you start your backswing, ensuring that the | | | | Also, important in building a repeatable swing is |
| clubhead travels on a wide arc away from the ball. | | | | striking the ball cleanly and crisply. Work on this drill to |
| Set the club on the correct plane | | | | improve your ballstriking. It's a staple of my golf |
| A repeatable swing sets the club on the correct | | | | instruction. |
| plane. To do so, hinge or cock your wrists as you | | | | • Start by assuming the ideal impact position |
| move into the backswing. As your arms continue to | | | | at address with one of your irons. Start by shifting |
| swing upward and your body to turn, the wrists | | | | your weight onto the left side (for right-handers) and |
| point the clubhead skyward while your left shoulder | | | | lift the right heel off the ground a fraction. The hips |
| replaces the right shoulder at address. The angle of | | | | and shoulders are slightly open with the head over |
| the shaft to the ball stays the same and the | | | | the ball, creating the feeling of a good impact |
| clubhead remains square to the swing's path. | | | | position. Now, move into the back swing, shifting |
| Swing into the top slot | | | | your weight to the right side. Return your weight to |
| As the top of the backswing, your club moves into | | | | the left side, swinging the club down and through at |
| "the slot" position, where the club's shaft is horizontal | | | | impact. Move through the swing to a balanced |
| to the ground and parallel to the target line. Also, the | | | | position, with your weight on your front foot. |
| clubface's angle matches your arm angle. Known as | | | | Practice this drill again and again and again until you |
| square or neutral, this is the ideal position to aim for | | | | feel yourself swinging the club the same way. Building |
| at the top of the backswing. In addition, your original | | | | that repeatable swing produces accuracy, |
| spine angle and your head position remain the same | | | | consistency, and a lower golf handicap. Yours may |
| as at address. Your shoulders are turned 90 degrees, | | | | not look like Tiger's but it can produce more |
| while your hips are turned 45 degrees. Most of your | | | | consistent and better results. |