Fix Finish And Swing

By Tiger Woods
With Pete McDaniel and Mark Soltau
Photo By Dom Furore April 2009

I can tell a lot about a player's swing, diagnose the faults and advise how to fix them all from checking out the finish position. The neat thing is, you can do the same with your swing.

For example, at the finish your hips should have turned so that they are at least perpendicular to the target line. Your shoulders should also be perpendicular to the target line. Your elbows should be bent, wrists recocked, belt buckle facing the target and weight over your left foot (right).

Now for reading faults by looking at the finish. If your hips are less than perpendicular to the target line when your arms and hands are all the way through and the clubshaft is more vertical, you've likely made a hook swing.

If your hips have turned past perpendicular to the target line at the finish, with the clubshaft more horizontal, and your wrists aren't recocked nearly as much as they should be, you've likely made a slice swing.

Check out your finish in a mirror, and try to ingrain the right positions in your real swing.

ASK TIGER

INAUGURATION

Q: What was it like meeting President Barack Obama at the pre-Inauguration event?
--Martha Jensen, Sacramento, Calif.

A: Well, first of all, it was such an honor to be a part of history and get invited to speak about the military. It was very impressive to see the way President Obama carried himself—he has great leadership qualities. He was very busy, so we didn't get to talk much. I didn't want to get in his way. I did ask him if he wanted to play golf, and he said, "I'd love to." So we'll make it happen

CALENDAR

Q: What kind of schedule do you envision playing this year?
--Gerry Matsick, Manayunk, Pa.

A: The perfect scenario is, I come back without a hitch and play the same number of events I usually do. But at this point, I'm taking it tournament to tournament. With our second child coming, it's going to be a hectic spring.

TECHNIQUE

Q: Has your golf swing changed because of the knee surgery?
--Bob Criscuolo, Brooklyn, N.Y.

A: Surprisingly, no. I'm now doing all the things I tried to do for a long time but couldn't. The big thing is, I can hit into my left leg without pain, or my bones moving. It's a nice feeling. It's so much better than it ever has been because my bones aren't grinding against each other. As for my length, I can't tell if I'm hitting it longer.

Tiger Woods writes instruction articles only for Golf Digest. Ask Tiger a question.