Take Some Turf

By David Leadbetter Illustrations by Todd Detwiler Photos by Dom Furore

June 15, 2014

Shop This Look

Why a good divot means a good shot

1. FAVOR YOUR FRONT FOOT

Set up with the ball in the middle of your stance, and place a little more weight on your front foot. This forward lean will help you catch the ball on the downswing.

2. TURN YOUR UPPER BODY

Make a three-quarter backswing, and allow your body pivot to drive the action. A big, handsy swing makes it a lot more difficult to hit down on the ball correctly.

3. LEAD WITH YOUR HANDS

Rotate your chest toward the target, and make sure your hands lead the clubhead down. Your chest and hands should be in front of the ball when the club makes contact. This allows you to swing down and through and hit the ball first.

4. EXTEND YOUR ARMS

Stay down on the shot, and extend your arms toward the target, resisting the temptation to scoop the ball into the air. Picture yourself driving a tent stake into the ground at the same angle the clubhead is descending on. You'll hit it flush.David Leadbetter is a Golf Digest Teaching Professional.

RBC Heritage

COMPETE IN THE GOLF DIGEST OPEN

TWO-PERSON BEST BALL

COMPETE IN THE GOLF DIGEST OPEN

TWO-PERSON BEST BALL

Take Some Turf

Shop This Look

1. FAVOR YOUR FRONT FOOT

2. TURN YOUR UPPER BODY

3. LEAD WITH YOUR HANDS

4. EXTEND YOUR ARMS

Next Up

The Greatest Show On Turf 20 Photos

Double Take 18 Photos

Take It Deep 5 Photos

Tiger Takes Manhattan 14 Photos

The EWGA Takes Ireland 9 Photos

Take Our Arnold Palmer Invitational Quiz 20 Photos

Take the bite out of frosty days 3 Photos

Take the Golf Digest Memorial Tournament Quiz 20 Photos

Take the bite out of frosty days 3 Photos

Trails Mix: Take your game on the road 7 Photos

We Recommend

How To Take Advantage Of A Birdie Hole

How To Take A Little Off An Iron

How To Take It From The Range To The Course

How To Take Down Flags With Your Short Irons

Podcast: How to take your driving range game to the course

Take some time to savor the delicious collapse of the Brooklyn Nets

Sections

Support

Services

Magazine

Newsletter

Social

Sections

Support

Services

Social

Magazine