Here are 7 at-home drills from Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington
Padraig Harrington has been busy lately. With the implementation of social distancing around the world, the European Ryder Cup captain has stayed home and taken to posting drills every day to help his followers with their games.
From chipping drills to drills that help get you into proper impact position, Harrington has plenty of knowledge to share to help you improve your game. Here’s the full library of Padraig Harrington instructionals:
Chipping drill
Harrington recommends putting an alignment stick several inches behind the ball to promote ball-first contact. If you hit the alignment stick, you’ll know you’re dipping your back shoulder as you come into the ball.
A little bit of a chipping lesson. Thanks to my son for video work. More to follow but limited to 220 seconds on Twitter here. @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/uzoTyGdn0i
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 16, 2020
Bunker drill
This is a similar drill to the chipping drill. Just place an alignment stick several inches behind the ball and try to make contact with the sand between the stick and the ball. He also offers up some alternate bunker advice that is contrary to conventional wisdom.
Bunker lesson @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/31MrWgQKuv
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 17, 2020
Impact position drill
This is an indoor drill that helps promote proper impact position. All you need is a tennis ball and a wall. Take a swing and throw the ball at the ground in front of you at impact to see where you swing path is headed. Just try not to wake the neighbors!
Indoor swing drill(be nice to your neighbors and don’t do it at night).Filmed yesterday,I swear I washed and changed my clothes today.I lose height at the start of the downswing to create pressure down which then pushes left hip up and open @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/CaknIrAxi7
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 18, 2020
Clean contact drill
Harrington recommends hitting a few balls off a hard surface when warming up to “dial in your strike.” If you are making ball-first contact, you’ll know it when hitting off your deck or other hard surfaces.
An advanced level chipping drill I use to get my strike dialed in. @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/dAj9XVXUNY
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 19, 2020
Tips for beginners
Get a grip on the first three letters of school with this drill. Harrington gives tips for beginning golfers and ties it together with this fun phrase.
This is what I would tell a beginner taking up the game of golf. “Get a Grip on the first 3 letters of SCHool”. Here’s the first two points out of the 4 points. @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/kfw7PxpcSv
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 20, 2020
Here’s the last part of the lesson “Get a Grip on the first 3 letters of SCHool” @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/OUXvCCBxTl
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 22, 2020
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Use your arms to drive your body
Conventional wisdom says to use your body to drive the power in your golf swing, but Harrington argues otherwise. Use your arms and hands to get the most out of your swing if you’re an amateur golfer.
An extra lesson today to recognize “World Down Syndrome Day”. I hope it helps you “sockit”.#sockit @DownSyndromeIRL @Downsyndromecen @EuropeanTour @PGATOUR pic.twitter.com/XRWgO4lPxw
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) March 21, 2020
How to stop hitting a slice or cut
If you’re plagued with a monster slice, just try exaggerating the opposite action. Take some practice swings that are so drastic that you’re hitting your right thigh on the downswing. When you come back to your normal swing, you’re sure to have less of a slice.
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