On driving ranges around the world and on the PGA Tour’s driving ranges, everyone is hard at work. Makes sense: It’s crucial to have the club in the right position when the shaft is parallel to the ground. It helps you avoid mistakes such as swinging the club too far inside and setting it down (shaft pointed left) or out of line (shaft pointed right) when you reach the top.
Simple fix: A great way to make a great gain – and by that I mean, hold the club in front of you and the clubhead in line with your hands once the shaft is parallel to the ground – is to create a little upward pressure on the handle as you start to back away.
Practice by placing just your gloved hand on the club and applying a little upward pressure to the grip with the index finger of your other hand. Even just a little bit of upward momentum makes a world of difference when you start over.
Brian Manzella is a top 100 golf instructor who teaches at English Turn Golf & CC in New Orleans, Louisiana.
