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Hi Scott,
What is the correct swing path?
Thanks,
Bill
Dear Bill,
Because you stand on one side of the ball, and the shaft of the club is
parallel down the line you will have an inside path to the ball. In the
photos you'll see that the plastic trainer is pointed about 15 degrees right
of the target. | 
Click for larger image. |
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This position is perfect for straightening the right arm and hand to the
ball. One of the major components of my golf swing is the ability to trap
the club in this position. With a traditional golf swing, and all
traditional swings have this problem, you will have the tendency to get the
club too much to the inside and this leads to pushes and push hooks or
slices. Even Tiger Woods has had this problem and you all know how much
talent he has. You cannot get the club to the inside with my grip and first
move down. | 
Click for larger image. |
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In this photo you see the butt end of the club pointing back to the
camera with the shaft still parallel down the line. This is again inside the
target line, and indicates a full release. I've achieved a full release by
straightening my right arm and by flexing my right wrist, not by pronation of
my right arm or by rotation of my forearms.
The left wrist has extended and the left elbow has folded in front of the
hip. | 
Click for larger image. |
To illustrate this stand facing a wall with your feet eight to ten inches
apart, with your elbows in front of your body, and on your belly. Keep your
arms horizontal to the ground at the same height at your elbows. Place your
hands flat against the wall with your palms forward, thumbs up and fingers
pointed at 9 and 3 o'clock.
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Now, holding the arm position move back away from the wall. You are now in a
parallel down the line position on both sides. Next slap your left hand palm
with the palm of your right hand just moving the right arm, e.g, by
straightening the right arm across to the left. Do not move move your left
arm or hand. Notice that this involves no rotation of the forearm. When you
have an anatomical certainty as you've experienced in this drill, you can see
that timing and talent are not (as) necessary for balls to go straight.
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Click for larger image. |
Notice how straight and square the divot is. The path is much more important
than alignment. Develop a swing path that will trap you down the line on
both sides. In my swing the path is always inside to square.
You can use head covers to align your path for instant feedback. Place a
head cover behind and in front of the ball and do a club head blur over the
ball down the target line. Then hit the ball and if your path is correct you
won't hit either of the head covers.
