Ballistic Golf

Training aids can be fantastic tools to help improve your game, provided they are used correctly. More often than not, however, they can cost a fortune. In this feature, I will show you how you can use five different sizes of ball to help improve different areas of your game. You would be amazed how many golfers go out to the practice range with good intentions but don’t really know what it is they are exactly trying to achieve and, before they know it, they have grooved a few unwanted habits. By following my simple training drills, you will not only see quick improvements to your game, you will also introduce some structure and purpose to your practice time, in turn making you a ‘Ballistic Golfer

Never up, Never in

The common denominator of all great putters is a committed stroke. It is all too easy to become a tentative putter, especially on fast greens, and there are various ways to combat this problem. However, the most effective method is to practice putting with a ping-pong ball. Because the ping-pong ball is much lighter and softer than a golf ball, it requires a firm, positive hit, in turn helping promote better acceleration in the stroke. You will be amazed how such a simple exercise can make all the difference to improving your commitment on the putting green. I would recommend that you alternate your practice between the ping-pong ball and a real ball. Set yourself approximately eight feet away from the hole and make four putts, trying to hole the soft ball, then make the same amount of putts using a real ball. After a short time you will begin to reap the benefits of this practice drill and see massive improvements to your putting.

Stop the shank

The shank, the unspoken word and regarded as the dreaded affliction that can strike out at any golfer, anytime. The shank is one of the most destructive shots in golf and one that can ruin a player’s confidence in a matter of seconds. There are many reasons that can cause you to hit the ball from the heel/shank, but the most common cause comes from the shoulders rolling over the top during the downswing.

This forces the body weight to move forward, pushing the club outside the line and throwing the heel/shank towards the ball. A simple drill to instantly stop yourself from shanking is to place a small ball under the toes of your left foot. As you swing the club back and forth, concentrate on putting as little pressure on the ball as possible. You will instantly feel that the ball prevents you from pushing your weight forward in the downswing, keeping the club on the right path and allowing you to hit the ball from the centre of the club every time.

No more long swings

One of the most common faults amongst amateur golfers is the “overswing”.  Especially when using the “Big Stick”, it can lead to many problems from inconsistent ball striking to poor direction control. Most amateurs think that the further they take the club away from the ball...