If there’s one piece of golf “wisdom” that needs to retire, it’s “keep your head down.” Usually delivered by a well-meaning parent or the guy slicing shots in the next stall at the range, this myth might be the most persistent swing-killer in golf instruction.
While many players know how detrimental this advice can be, few realize it can also wreck your short game — and some are even guilty of making this mistake around the greens.
But, don’t worry, it’s an easy mistake to fix, and as Parker McLachlin, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher to Watch, explains in the clip below, learning to release your head will not only free up your pitching motion but also boost your contact and spin on these key scoring shots.
How to practice releasing your head
If you want to start releasing your head to the target, McLachlin says to try this simple drill next time you’re practicing: Go to the top of your swing, then turn (or release) your head toward the target.
“I want you to really let your head start moving a little bit earlier than you’ve ever felt it,” McLachlin says.
With this adjustment, you should feel an improvement in your rotation and more free in your pitching motion.
“This [releasing your head] is going to really help you shallow out,” McLachlin says. “It’s going to help engage that upper body, especially rotationally.”
“That’s what we want. We want to be shallow. We want to rotate. This is really key — it’s going to bring some freedom back to your pitching motion. It’s going to put the speed in the right spot so that you can start spinning it again.”
You’ll find much more of McLachlin’s advice at ShortGameChef.com, which provides golfers with a comprehensive resource to improve their short games. Through personalized tips, drills and expert insights, McLachlin helps players of all levels gain more confidence and a deeper understanding of their short game to lower their scores. You can browse membership options here.
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