Henry Picard, known to many as “Pic,” is a Hall of Famer whose legacy is defined by his performance on the course and the lesson tee. At the height of his playing career, Picard won two of the game’s most prestigious titles — the 1938 Masters and the 1939 PGA Championship. He also established himself as a highly respected instructor.
Credited with shaping the swings of legends like Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, Picard often relied on a signature drill designed to help players produce a controlled, reliable draw — one that’s just as useful for today’s golfers.
Pic’s “head-turner” drill
According to Coleman Plecker, who served as Picard’s assistant professional at Seminole Golf Club, this drill is especially effective for helping players move their pressure and improving their swing path.
The key to nailing Picard’s drill is something most golfers instinctively avoid: head movement.
To complete it, all you have to do is turn your head and chin to your trail side as you take the club to the top. This small move naturally shifts your pressure into the lead hip, while simultaneously allowing the shoulders to rotate back completely, Plecker explains.
From here, Plecker says to swing as you maintain that position, holding it until the trail shoulder touches your chin. The result should be a controlled, repeatable draw.
Decades later, this drill continues to prove its value. When tested using both Swing Catalyst dual force plates — to measure pressure — and TrackMan to analyze club path, the data confirms what Picard already knew: this drill helps produce measurable improvements in both pressure shift and swing path.
Picard’s drill is a lasting example of how timeless instruction, grounded in feel, can align seamlessly with modern performance insights.
