| I ran a golf school in my home town for a number of | | | | There are many players out there that don't turn |
| years. It was a small town of about 4000 people, | | | | their shoulders to their full capability, and that causes |
| with larger towns surrounding ours. One of the major | | | | them to lose power and consistency. |
| roads that led to my town went right past the | | | | The drill is simple in nature, but often the simplest |
| driving range. There were many people who would | | | | drills are the most effective. |
| drive by and see me with a player, or a group of | | | | The Basketball Back Swing Drill |
| players, throwing basketballs back and forth. When I | | | | 1.Hold your basketball between your hands and get |
| went down to the grocery store, the number one | | | | into your golf stance. |
| question I would get was 'Kris, how in the world | | | | 2.Start your back swing. |
| does a basketball make you a better golfer?' This | | | | 3.Stop and hold your backswing position when your |
| article is dedicated to answering that very question. | | | | left arm is parallel to the ground. |
| For an understanding of the fundamentals of the golf | | | | 4.Turn and look at your basketball. If you are in great |
| swing, visit my website | | | | position your ball should be in front of your chest. |
| As we all know it is a difficult game that we are | | | | 5.Repeat as many times as you can. |
| passionate about. It is also not easy to improve. Not | | | | If you have made a proper turn you hands will stay |
| because of ability, but more often because of time | | | | in front of your chest. If you see any still photos of |
| and not knowing what to practice during that time. It | | | | the best players in the world, they all get to this |
| is hard to get to the driving range enough to groove | | | | position. This position is the key to an effective |
| a new move. The reason I bring the ball on the range | | | | backswing. If you can keep your hands in front of |
| is to demonstrate how each player can improve at | | | | your chest, you will keep your club on the proper line |
| home. It helps if you can hit balls for hours and hours. | | | | (swing plane), create more power, and use less |
| However, if you can put in a few minutes a day of | | | | energy to hit better shots. |
| well focused repetitions at home, you would be | | | | If you follow the steps in the drill, and when you get |
| amazed what that will do to your game. | | | | to step 4 and you find that your ball is not in front |
| Now, you can use any type of ball, pillow, or pot to | | | | of your chest it means you are out of position. This |
| work on your swing. I recommend a basketball | | | | will make it much harder to hit great shots. If your |
| because it is big and when properly inflated weighs | | | | ball swings out around your body and ends up behind |
| between 7-9 pounds. This means that it will help | | | | you it means you did not turn your shoulders enough |
| develop some of your core golf muscles at the same | | | | during your backswing. This will make your swing |
| time as you develop your swing. Since the ball has | | | | very flat and lack power. |
| some weight to it, it will help develop some golf | | | | Please use this drill on a daily basis, as I know it can |
| muscle endurance. | | | | only positively benefit your game. If you would like |
| The great part of practicing this way is that you | | | | to see this swing tip in picture format please visit |
| really see what a strong backswing position looks and | | | | Good luck with your practicing and playing. May you |
| feels like. We are going to focus on the shoulder turn. | | | | 'Play Your Golf Dreams' sooner. |