Golf Swing Mechanics: The Horizontal Drill with Release

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The Horizontal Drill with Release

By Ken Martin, PGA, Director of Instruction

I am going to start you off with one of the best Natural Golf drills to practice. We call it the Horizontal Drill with Release.

This drill is best done with a short iron or our Single Plane Practice Club

I think this is one of our best drills because it allows you to experience -

How to move your arms and club through impact on a Single Plane
Proper on plane club release
Trail arm extension and lead arm folding after the impact zone
How both elbows fold during your swing - first the trail, then the lead

Pay close attention to the swing length. You will only swing the club back until your lead arm is parallel to target line and then swing the club forward past impact until your trail arm is parallel to target line.

Be certain you allow your lead arm to fold as you extend your trail arm across your body to the point that it is parallel to the target line

Once you've completed your swing motion, hold your finish for a count of five and go over these checkpoints:

The clubshaft and trail arm are parallel to the ground
Your lead arm is folded
Your trail arm is extended and in line with the clubshaft
The leading edge of the clubface is parallel to the plane (horizontal to the ground)
Your body is square to the target line
Your spine tilt away from the target is maintained
Your lead arm has folded while your trail arm has straightened
Your weight is predominantly on the lead side
Both of your feet are still flat on the ground

Practice the variations noted at the end of the video as they will help you transfer the feelings to your actual swing motion while striking a golf ball

Done slowly, this drill shows the correct hand and wrist action through impact versus a rotational hand and wrist movement. This drill can also be done to the finish position of the full swing. Pay close attention to the sequence of clubhead release followed by a body turn to the balanced finish.

Happy Practice!

Ken

Ken Martin was certified in 1995 and has been Natural Golf's Director of Instruction since June 2006 as well as a PGA Member since 1988.
Ken teaches in Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Ken's personal motto on the golf course is: "Experience and Enjoy".

Send comments to kmartin@naturalgolf.com