Hitting a driver with both length and precision can feel like catching a Golden Goose at times. When a player’s swing is off from the tee box, it can cause frustration throughout the entire round — which messes with confidence and can lead to higher scores.
While it may seem impossible to find your swing when hitting a driver standing on two feet, GOLF Teacher to Watch Kelvin Kelley shares a unique drill that could improve your game — swinging your driver while kneeling.
Kelley says, “at first glance, it looks like a trick shot. However, it’s actually a great drill for multiple reasons.”
Why hitting a driver while kneeling is a good swing correction drill
To start, hitting a driver while kneeling forces a player to get their hands in the proper place (relative to their body) in the backswing. It also keeps the radius of the club from the body constant. For golfers who tend to lift the club too vertically in the backswing, or pull the club too flat around the body, it will be difficult to make good contact during this drill.
Another benefit of this drill? It forces the upper body to turn in the proper direction, maintaining the spine angle from the address position. If you tilt your upper body in the backswing (upper body moves down and towards the target), you will have almost no chance to make contact — since you don’t have your legs to help you recover in the swing. This is where having a good swing sequence is so important.
Finally, for players looking to make better contact while hitting a driver — isn’t that everyone? — this drill can help you focus on that area of the game as well. That’s because there’s added emphasis on both the shaft and clubhead.
Sure, swinging from this unusual position can be tricky. But many players are forced to narrow their focus and accomplish the task at hand.
Kelley suggests starting slowly and being patient and persistent until you see the results you’re looking for.
“I would start by practicing slowly into an impact bag. Once you are more comfortable with the drill, take a towel to the range for your knees and explore what this drill has to offer.”
