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In my last column, I mentioned that you need to gather power on the right side starting from the top of the backswing. Today, I will show you three drills to help you physically learn how to actually gather that power in your right hip. We will start with movements that can be done without a club.
01Drill 1 — Skate Steps
Let's start with the most basic stance. Stand comfortably and slightly raise only your arms. Move only your right foot to the right, and bring your left foot behind it. It should feel like you are skating. Place your hand on the rounded part of your right hip and try to feel your weight shifting to that side. If you try to find stability at this point, you won't be able to generate power—you need to move lightly and quickly.
Once you get used to this movement, try developing it into a side jump. If you feel a sudden surge of power in your right hip hinge when you land, that is exactly the feeling you should be experiencing at the top of the backswing.
02Drill 2 — Club Throw
Now, let's try this with a club. From your address position, return your right foot to the center and place both hands in front of your left thigh. Now, imagine throwing the club forcefully in the opposite direction (to the back right). You are throwing the club, not moving your body.
There is a common mistake amateurs make here: throwing with only their arms. If you do that, you actually lose power. You need to use your legs as well to throw really far. If you feel like your power is being pushed back, instead of thinking about your body sequence, try visualizing this image—'There is a cliff on the right.' Since you don't want to fall off the cliff, you naturally shift your balance to the left, and if you throw to the right from that position, you will feel the power shifting strongly to your pelvis.
03Drill 3 — Leading into the Swing
Once you have adapted to the previous two drills, it is time to connect them to an actual swing. Take your address with your feet close together, then repeat the process of returning to the club-throwing stance and continuing into the swing. I recommend practicing small, low strokes only at first. By repeating this, you will feel the power on your right side naturally transfer to the ball, increasing your distance.
04Organizing today
It is best to practice the three drills I shared today—the skate step, the club throw, and the swing connection—in that order. It may feel awkward and difficult to generate power at first, but if you repeat the exercises while visualizing a "cliff on the right," you will get the hang of it much faster. In the next column, I will show you how to set up your driver specs to match the power you have gathered this way.
