Golf Digest Schools
Here's why most beginning golfers lack power—and here's how to fix it
When you hear that your swing is “all arms,” you might be confused. How else would you swing? Most of the time, it means that your arms are doing all the work and you need to get your body more involved. To learn how to incorporate proper body rotation into your swing and increase your power, try this quick drill from Erika Larkin, the No. 1 ranked teacher in Virginia and the newest member of Golf Digest’s teaching staff.
The video below is a great start to helping you drive the ball better.
To practice Larkin’s pivot drill, grab your driver and hold it out front to minimize your upper body movement. Then, turn back, allowing your lead heel to lift and release. As you pivot off your back foot and turn through, be sure your trail foot releases.
“I want you to make sure that your feet are working inwards so your hips are actually turning, as well as your torso,” Larkin instructs.
As you get comfortable, become more deliberate with your rehearsals. Focus on rotating your hips and lower body against your upper body. Feel the separation between the two, especially in your downswing. Once you’ve practiced that a few times, add your driver to the mix–starting slowly and gradually getting quicker. Then, put it on the golf ball. Before pulling the trigger, Larkin says a good swing thought is: right foot, left foot, pivot.
For more help shedding the big numbers you see on your scorecard, check out “Game Changers,” Erika Larkin’s newest series in Golf Digest Schools. Her game improvement guide will help you understand what’s going wrong and give you the tools you need to fix your faults and escape your scoring rut.