3 Keys To...
Driving the ball straight
SHOULDERS SQUARE? Swing your right hand back, then slap your left. Your hands should meet in front of you.
Photo: Dom Furore
1. Most golfers lose the ball to the right because they leave the clubface open at impact. I was having the same problem last summer, so I strengthened my grip, rotating my left hand clockwise on the handle. The key feel for me was the thumb pad on my left hand covering the top of the grip.
2. Another change I've made on tee shots is a wider stance. This gives me a more stable base and discourages side-to-side movement of the hips. If your hips slide back as you swing to the top, your upper body will tip toward the target. Then, as you swing down, your body will reverse direction, causing an out-to-in path and a slice. Try a wider stance.
3. I use the drill above to get a feel for square impact. Hold out your left hand, swing your right hand back, then slap your left. Your hands should meet directly in front of you. If your shoulders are open—a slice position—your hands will meet too far forward. Strive for the feeling of square shoulders at impact.
Annika Sorenstam writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest Publications.
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