Kinematic Chain For Power
What does “hitting down on the ball” mean? Does one think of bringing the butt of the club down towards the ball and to the left of the body (i.e., “low and left”)?
— Donna
I like your mantra for hitting down on the ball: “low and left.” I usually tell my students “down and left.” Either one works great. However, remember at the end of the day you want educated hands and wrists, that naturally do all of this, with no conscious though. However, this is exactly how you train them.
Where should one feel lag in the right hand? If I do punch shots, I feel it in the heel of the hand — not the trigger finger.
— Donna
Excellent! Very perceptive. I can tell you are a student of the game.
The heel of the right hand should definitely lead the trigger finger/index finger into the impact area. Be sure to remain soft in the hands and arms as this is happening — so centrifugal force and angular momentum will naturally unhinge the right wrist and club.
How do you transition from two balls to one ball in the shank drill?
— Aaron
Great question. First of all, this can be a difficult transition, because you are going from lots of feedback to no feedback. So ensure you can hit at least 6 consecutive solid shots with the two-ball drill. Once you eliminate the second ball: (1) address the remaining ball slightly off the toe, and (2) envision that second ball just outside of the ball you are hitting. Be very conscious of keeping the hands arms and club close to your body through the hitting area. And if you shank 2 or more balls in a row at any time, go back to the two-ball drill.
See Two-Ball Drill and Never Shank Again lesson.
I want to buy a new driver. I’m 54 and have an 85 mph swing speed. Any recommendations?
— Rocky
I’m reluctant to recommend equipment — particularly without evaluating the swing. It’s akin to an optometrist prescribing glasses before conducting an eye exam. But (as my wife will attest) common sense never stopped me before.
I recommend several drivers, including the:
- Titleist 915D2. Titleist makes fantastic drivers. I particularly like the 915’s configuration mechanism. The 915D2 appears a nice compromise between forgivability and a traditional player club. It looks great, too.
- TaylorMade R15. There’s a reason why TaylorMade makes the world’s most popular drivers — constant innovation. It’s always worth testing the latest TaylorMade driver, if only to compare the latest trend with the other manufacturers.
- Srixon Z545. I play the Srixon Z545 driver. It’s excellent. Full disclosure: Srixon’s a sponsor. But the titanium cup face is hot and low spinning — adding penetration, roll, and reducing side spin. And the Quick Tune System is intuitive and easy-to-use.
You might also consider one of last year’s models. Most changes in golf equipment are evolutionary — not revolutionary. Last year’s models usually offer great technology with deep discounts.
We live in a golden age of golf equipment. Today’s technology, materials, and engineering are better than ever. The market’s flush with great drivers. You can’t go wrong with any of the major brands.
But be sure to get fitted for the shaft as well as the head. Shafts are frequently overlooked but easily as important as the club head.
Z-School: Proper Setup
ZachAllenGolf.com features hundreds of tutorials, drills, videos, and articles — all designed to improve every aspect of your game. But aspiring golfers often find the depth and breadth of material overwhelming.
Where to begin?
Welcome to Z-School! This online curriculum provides direction for your studies. Follow the recommended lesson plans — diligently and in order — to improve specific aspects of your game.
This particular syllabus addresses proper setup — grip, posture, and pre-shot routine. Use these video tutorials to achieve proper setup…
