We all know that to get lower scores you have to hit better shots consistently. To do this your swing has to be at least above average, meaning you avoid mishits and hit the center of the clubface as often as possible.
For many amateurs this is not so easy.
A range bucket can instantly improve your ball striking. Here’s how
Mike Bender, Top 100 Teachers, Nick Dimengo
Sure, you can hit a glancing shot with a 500-yard 7-iron every now and then, but can you maintain that consistency throughout the round? Probably not—until you understand the mechanics involved and how to put the club in the right place at impact.
This is where ball striking drills can help. There are many options you can try at your next practice session. One simple and effective drill comes from Peter Kostis. He describes how using a towel can lead to better contact almost immediately.
Try using a towel to improve your ball striking
In the video above – which comes from Peter Kostis and Gary McCord’s podcast “Off Their Rockers,” a GOLF production – Kostis performs a simple towel drill that every golfer should try at least once. So if you tend to smash, topple, or hit the ball with your heel or toes, this is a quick way to correct those problems.
“If you’re trying to get the golf club under the golf ball in just the right place, you’re going to have a difficult job,” Kostis says. “That’s why most successful players don’t try to do that. They don’t try to lift or scoop the ball.”
Instead, Kostis says, the best players know how to hit the ball first and squeeze it, creating a divot in front of the ball rather than behind it.
“Instead, (these players) catch the ball at a downward angle called the angle of attack,” he explains. “That’s the point where the lowest point of the swing is somewhere between 3 and 4 inches in front of the golf ball.”
So how can every amateur golfer learn this necessary skill for hitting the ball? By placing a towel on the ground.
1 common mistake that leads to inconsistent ball striking, according to top teacher
Nick Dimengo
“I’m going to take this towel and put it 3 to 5 inches behind the golf ball,” Kostis says. “(After I do my set-up) I’m going to swing and learn to miss the towel, hit the golf ball and get my lowest point in front of the ball.”
When trying this exercise, Kostis reminds players to slow down so they can feel the differences, focus more, and perform the exercise correctly.
“As with all exercise, start slowly and in small steps, and as you become more confident, increase the duration and pace,” he adds.
So if you want a better ball strike and fewer misses (don’t we all?), try this towel drill and improve your swing mechanics in no time.
To hear more from Kostis and McCord, listen to the full episode below.
