Thanks to advanced measuring tools, there are very few mysteries to the swing anymore. Case in point: Big drives result from hitting up on the ball, not down. One way to get the right feel is to focus on your finish — a bit of reverse engineering for extra carry.
Make a swing, telling yourself, even before you start, to follow the ball with your eyes till it reaches its apex. Once the ball reaches its max height, relax and let the club fall down in front of you.
For even more help, feel like you’re “sinking” into your front side as you approach impact, then squeeze your glutes (3) as you strike the ball, pushing up. Hold the squeeze as you track the ball with your eyes. Automatically, you’ll get the “rise” you need to up your angle of attack.
One of the best at this was Hall-of-Famer Nick Price. Google his swing to see what squeezing, rising, tracking — and big-time yards — is supposed to look like with an apex finish.
Tim Cooke is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and is the director of instruction at the Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, S.C.
