The Anti-Shank and Anti-Over-the-Top 4-by-4 Drill

[mookie]

I'm a 14 hdcp, and last week during my once-a-week 9 hole rounds, I started hitting a few MAJOR shanks. And being the headcase that I am, I never recovered. I was 3 over coming into the 5th hole, and that's when all hell broke loose.

 

I was browsing this forum and one of the members posted the picture of the drill where you lay the 4-by-4 board a few inches from the toe of your club, parallel to the target line. I've actually seen that pic many times, but for some reason, I've gone away from that drill. The past couple nights, I took a golf club shipping carton and started messing with that drill again. Immediately, my swing feels a lot tighter and more solid.

 

Here's my questions:

 

-Driver has always been the weak part of my game. Recently, I've been catching the ball on the heel in hitting it right and further right. I'm guessing that I'm coming over the top. Do you think the 4x4 drill helps to cure this over-the-top move too?

 

-Any other tips I should keep in mind when practicing with the 4x4 drill?

 

-Are there negative swing flaws that can arise because of the 4X4 drill? What are they?

 

Thanks, everyone.

[joesgonegolfing]

I am always putting up that picture and drill because it works so well for many swing flaws.

 

The only negative I see in the drill is developing a hard pull away type of hook. However, it's an easy item to fix and work on at the range and dial back the hook.

 

The box will work well for your driver, just give yourself more room.

 

I'd say a tip for using it is to make sure you are really challenging the box/board as you get better at it. Try all of your chips and cut flops with the board and carry it into a bunker and work on that shot. You will be surprised how much better you accuracy out of the bunker will get when you stop exaggerating the outside in cut bunker shot.

 

It also teaches you quite a bit about target line and direction.

 

Joe

[Furrankee]

I'm a 14 hdcp, and last week during my once-a-week 9 hole rounds, I started hitting a few MAJOR shanks. And being the headcase that I am, I never recovered. I was 3 over coming into the 5th hole, and that's when all hell broke loose.

 

I was browsing this forum and one of the members posted the picture of the drill where you lay the 4-by-4 board a few inches from the toe of your club, parallel to the target line. I've actually seen that pic many times, but for some reason, I've gone away from that drill. The past couple nights, I took a golf club shipping carton and started messing with that drill again. Immediately, my swing feels a lot tighter and more solid.

 

Here's my questions:

 

-Driver has always been the weak part of my game. Recently, I've been catching the ball on the heel in hitting it right and further right. I'm guessing that I'm coming over the top. Do you think the 4x4 drill helps to cure this over-the-top move too?

 

-Any other tips I should keep in mind when practicing with the 4x4 drill?

 

-Are there negative swing flaws that can arise because of the 4X4 drill? What are they?

 

Thanks, everyone.

 

One question: how do you know you're swinging over the top? A shank can be caused by swinging inside out too. It can be caused by an open club face, closed club face, or any combination thereof. You need to focus on your #3 lag pressure point, to avoid shanks. Also think of the swing in this way. When you're attempting to hit a ball, most people attempt to hit the golf ball with the shaft itself (like baseball, i.e., barrel on ball). Obviously in golf, you don't want "barrel on ball" OR shaft on ball as in golf. You want sweetspot on ball. How do you get sweetspot on ball? #3 lag pressure point. Your right index or trigger finger.

 

How's your grip?

 

Post a video of your swing. It will help. Have you tried v1sports.com?

[mookie]

One question: how do you know you're swinging over the top? A shank can be caused by swinging inside out too. It can be caused by an open club face, closed club face, or any combination thereof. You need to focus on your #3 lag pressure point, to avoid shanks. Also think of the swing in this way. When you're attempting to hit a ball, most people attempt to hit the golf ball with the shaft itself (like baseball, i.e., barrel on ball). Obviously in golf, you don't want "barrel on ball" OR shaft on ball as in golf. You want sweetspot on ball. How do you get sweetspot on ball? #3 lag pressure point. Your right index or trigger finger.

 

How's your grip?

 

Post a video of your swing. It will help. Have you tried v1sports.com?

 

Thanks for the replies!

 

The lag pressure point you mention really interests me. I do think that this is a MAJOR flaw in my swing, showing up in my driver more than any other club. Aside from last week's shanks, I'd like to think I'm a pretty consistent iron player, and I hit 8-iron 145-150. My driver is absolutely horrendous though, and even on the rare streak when I'm finding the fairway, I still lack distance.

 

I'm about to do a search and read up on lag drills, but by all means, keep the comments coming. I appreciate your guys' help.