Swing path/ alignment stick hitting station

[schmittypods]

Hey everyone, I have been working hard on my slight over the top move for ever. It's not terrible but leads to some fanned iron shots that are short right. Today at the range I set up a hitting station with an alignment stick in the ground at the angle of the shaft of the club, a bit behind the shaft (see photo below) that forces you to swing on plane and was just striping it. I was amazed at the instant feedback and improvement in my contact, distance and targeting.  Just wondering if anyone else uses this drill and what you do to ingrain it, other than use the hitting station a bunch. Thanks, hoping someone has some other great ideas. 

[wagolfer7]

What worked for me was finding reference points without the sticks.  Oddly enough the picture you posted shows exactly what I do.  I focus on the ball pretty close to where the 3 black lines are on the ball.  I stare at that point the whole time, to make sure I don't come OTT.  

 

A good way to do it, is to have your station setup up at one spot and hit 10-15 balls.  Then move to the station next to it, without the sticks and try to continue to hit the inside of the ball.  My feel is to try to move farther away from the ball during my swing rather than closer.  Feel vs real though, I don't think I move away from the ball, just forever I was moving closer to the ball with EE, so focusing on trying to move away if anything, has helped me combat that OTT / EE move.  

 

Good luck man.  Glad you find something working for you.  

[schmittypods]

8 minutes ago, wagolfer7 said:

What worked for me was finding reference points without the sticks.  Oddly enough the picture you posted shows exactly what I do.  I focus on the ball pretty close to where the 3 black lines are on the ball.  I stare at that point the whole time, to make sure I don't come OTT.  

 

A good way to do it, is to have your station setup up at one spot and hit 10-15 balls.  Then move to the station next to it, without the sticks and try to continue to hit the inside of the ball.  My feel is to try to move farther away from the ball during my swing rather than closer.  Feel vs real though, I don't think I move away from the ball, just forever I was moving closer to the ball with EE, so focusing on trying to move away if anything, has helped me combat that OTT / EE move.  

 

Good luck man.  Glad you find something working for you.  

Thanks, that's good advice, I will give it a shot. Nice to know that at least its in there somewhere, now to just find it consistently! 

[ousuxndallas]

I've used that exact setup before with an instructor, but placed a foam pool "noodle" over the stick in case you hit it (won't damage your club).

[Priceyd]

Yeah this was my go to drill last year, but i had the stick about 6-8 inches inside level with my lead foot, to get me swinging to the outside. Jake hutt has a video about missing the noodle which i also did where had a pool noodle behind it same type of concept to make you swing inside to out etc.

 

[sprcoop]

I've had that station setup every time I go to the range for the last 6 weeks or so.  To really challenge myself I have the tip of the angled stick actually a couple inches past the toe line.  Yep, I still smack it once in a while.  I start with slow swings and work up to full speed. 

 

I film all swings with camera at hand height looking straight down toe line, 240 FPS.  I hit 3 with the station setup and review.  Hit 3 without the angled stick, review.  Rinse and repeat.  Amazing how it feels the same but I would hit the stick a lot more if it was there.  Getting better though.

 

Must film and review without the stick to make sure you are feeling what you think you are.