The way pros play golf is entirely different than the way weekend warriors do. Some of the shots they pull off are not even in the realm of possibility for recreational players. At times, it can appear they are playing an entirely different sport.
That doesn’t mean we can’t learn from them, though. In fact, there are lots of simple things the pros do that we as amateurs can mimic to make us better golfers. The key is knowing what to look for and how to interpret it.
Nick Dunlap gave us one such example at this week’s Sony Open.
While grinding on the range early in the week, the PGA Tour’s social accounts snagged video of the reigning Rookie of the Year working on a simple ball-striking drill. And while Dunlap might hit shots each week that we can only dream about, the drill he was using has plenty of application for the average Joe.
Not enough rotation in your swing?
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 6, 2025
Try this drill from Nick Dunlap.
He says it helps his back foot to raise at impact, keeping his hips and upper body moving forward through his swing. pic.twitter.com/Hp0vIkG0Hq
Dunlap’s ball-striking drill
As you can see in the video above, Dunlap has placed a ball underneath the outside portion of his trail foot. The setup might look odd, but it has a couple of key benefits.
First of all, by placing a ball under the outside part of his trail foot, it encourages the proper shift of pressure during the downswing.
One of the key moves we see great ball strikers make (especially with the irons) is the “rolling” of their trail foot toward the target during the downswing. When you begin your transition from the top, it’s important that you shift your pressure toward your lead side.
Where lots of amateurs go wrong is shifting that pressure toward their toes instead. This can cause early extension and send the swing path way to the outside, which we all know is not conducive to proper ball striking. By placing a ball underneath the outside portion of your foot, it encourages that initial pressure shift in the correct direction.
GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jason Baile shared a similar drill with GOLF Magazine a couple years ago, which you can read here. In that drill, he places a water bottle inside the trail foot and encourages his students to knock it over during transition.
“The gist is to turn and shift, getting the majority of your weight over your front foot by the time you strike the ball,” Baile said. “Your goal is to shift weight from the top by ‘banking’ your back foot inward.”
The same principle is at work in Dunlap’s drill. By “rolling” your trail foot toward the target during transition, it makes sure that your pressure and weight are getting to the correct place at impact.
If you’re struggling with your iron ball striking, give this drill a shot. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be hitting your irons as pure as ever.
