Steal My Feel

When I won the Masters last April, I drove the ball very well, and a simple swing thought really helped. I thought to myself: Take the club back smooth.

From time to time, I find myself snatching the club back too quickly -- my hands take over, so the club goes out and up (right). As soon as I do that, I know the club will get stuck behind my body on the downswing unless I do something drastic to save the shot. When I drive it too far right, it's because my arm swing didn't match up with my body rotation -- and that often starts in the takeaway.

When I take the club back, I try to feel a longer, slower, smoother motion -- more of a sweeping action (left). If I do that, it sets up the rest of the swing. The feeling you want is that everything is working together as you move the club back. This will give you the great start you need.

CHARL SCHWARTZEL, 27, has won seven times worldwide.