What You Feel is Almost Never Real
Golf is a funny game in that many probably most things are counter-intuitive. One of the things most people think about when playing or practicing golf is hitting the ball. Trying to hit the ball, in my opinion, is a detrimental flaw in thinking. Of course, you must strike the ball, but bad things begin to happen when that becomes your focus. Let me explain.
Problem and Solution
Many of my students are beginners having difficulty getting the ball airborne. They swing and miss completely, top the ball, or hit the ground 6 inches behind it. These poor “hits” repeat over and over. When this happens, I remove the ball. I put a tee in the ground and ask them to clip the tee. Just cut the tee in half. Within one or two swings, they shear the tee perfectly. Why? I don’t claim to be a psychologist, but something non-physical is going on. The same person having trouble hitting a 1.68-inch diameter golfball can immediately cut a .25-inch tee in half. It’s not physical; it’s mental.
Harvey Penick had it Right
I wish I could say I came up with this drill, but I didn’t. Clipping the tee is something the great teacher Harvey Penick did with many of his students. The idea is to promote a swinging action with the club, not a hitting motion. Harvey Penick coached some of the greatest golfers to come out of Texas. Listen to him!
Summing Up
Remember that in golf, the ball is not your target. Your target is that distant place you want the ball to end up.
The next time you practice, sacrifice a few tees with this drill. Clip a few tees and then step to the ball and make that same swinging motion.
Swing through that ball, not at the ball. Your chances of hitting that distant target will improve dramatically.
Most importantly, have fun out there!