Instruction

Stop Hitting Foul Balls

By Matt Every Photos by J.D. Cuban
November 10, 2015
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If there's one thing I've learned from my swing coach, Sean Foley, it's that your full swing should change depending on the club you're using. Different clubs require different swing directions because of how you want to hit the ball. (I'll explain below.) Rather than attempting to make adjustments on the fly while you're swinging—good luck with that—you can do it when you address the ball.

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DRIVER
▶ You want to hit the ball on the upswing. That's how you maximize carry distance. Assuming the swing is on plane, this upward angle of attack puts the clubhead on an out-to-in path in relation to the target line—it's just physics. You'll pull or slice the shot unless you make an adjustment to your swing direction. You need to swing to the right of the target to counteract the pull/slice tendency. Align your feet so the toe line is pointing a little right of where you want the ball to go (above). You'll have an easier time swinging to the right and driving it in the fairway.

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SHORT IRONS
▶ You want to hit the ball on the downswing. Again, assuming the swing is on plane, this downward attack angle puts the clubhead on an in-to-out path in relation to the target line. You'll either push or hook the shot unless you make an adjustment to your swing direction. You need to swing to the left of the target to counteract the push/hook. Align your feet so the toe line is pointing well left (above). You'll find it easier to swing left and hit your short irons at the pin.

– With Ron Kaspriske


BIO
Matt Every has won in each of the past two seasons on the PGA Tour.