Maintaining connection is really important in the golf swing for better ball striking. When I’m teaching I see many players with swings that are really disconnected, either at set-up, during the takeaway or at the top of their backswing.
Three Disconnections That Will Affect Your Ball Striking
The Set-up Culprit
Elbows flared out and away from your body at address. This could promote a disconnected takeaway. Instead, focus on your elbows at set-up. Point them in toward your body, not outward. This will set the stage for a connected takeaway.
The Takeaway Culprit
Hands go out and away from the body. Players tend to lose their lead-arm-to-chest connection. Instead, keep this lead arm to chest connection as you take the club back. This will help to keep you on your swing plane. Plus, the connection makes it easier to turn into your backswing.
The Backswing Culprit
I see a lot of flared or flying elbows, which again can take you off your swing plane. If you take your hands out or high (above the plane), you’ll most likely get disconnected and stay off-plane. Getting off plane will prevent solid ball striking.
Improve Your Ball Striking with this ‘Feel the Connection’ Drill
If you struggle with connection and poor ball striking, grab a band, belt or even a bungee… and place the band around your arms. I like it above my elbows. The band really makes you feel that connection from set-up, all the way to your backswing. The band (or bungee) keeps everything in nicely.
When you turn, maintain that lead arm to chest connection. A great indicator that you’ve made a connected turn is to ensure that your lead shoulder gets over your back foot and points slightly down, yet your lead arm is just at parallel.
That’s compact and powerful..and that’s what we want in the golf swing.
Remember, from your address position, you’re turning around your spine.. and that means maintaining this angle all the way to the top and through the downswing.
So, if you want better ball striking and more pars, let’s get you connected at setup… takeaway.. and all the way to the top of your backswing.
Christina
