Balance is key

When you watch people on the PGA and LPGA tours play, one thing they all have in common is great balance. It doesn’t matter if they are short or tall, skinny or stout, the entirety of their swing is balanced.

A great way to improve your balance is to practice hitting balls with your feet together. Start out by putting your feet so close together they are touching each other. Then hit a few short 10-15-yard wedge shots. Slowly begin to increase the length of your swing while maintaining your balance, especially during the follow through. If you cannot maintain your balance, shorten your swing and slow down until it is possible to do so.

Once you are able to do a full length swing while maintaining balance with the wedge, change clubs to a 7 iron and do the same thing. Work yourself all the way to the driver. It will take time and probably hitting a lot of balls to achieve proper balance on every swing. The ultimate test is to actually go out and play a practice round and hit every shot with your feet together! It’s tough to do, but a great and rewarding challenge.

Once you have it down, and it may take a while, go ahead and hit balls and play with your feet at shoulder width while employing the same tempo, swing length, and balance as you did while hitting with your feet together, you will be amazed at how much more solid your shots will be!