Hang A Shirt

At my power clinics and exhibitions, I often recommend to audiences that they try to develop the feeling of holding a golf club long enough at the top of their backswing for someone to hang a shirt on it–the Clothesline Effect, if you will.

Imagining the shaft as a clothesline serves two important purposes. One, it encourages players to finish their backswings completely and, two, it reduces the tendency to slide forward too quickly on the downswing, a move that creates slices and pop-ups due to an overly steep angle of attack.

While ingraining this feeling of the club resting at the top, don't make the mistake of simply stopping the club before you make the transition from the backswing to the downswing. Remember, the golf swing is a swing, with the club in a constant state of motion.

On those days when your timing is a bit off and you feel you're rushing things, concentrate on finishing the backswing and hanging a shirt. You'll soon develop a smoother transition from the top to the forwardswing, which will greatly benefit your ballstriking.

Contributing Instruction Editor Art Sellinger is a two-time National Long Drive champion. Sellinger is the creator of the Power Guarantee training program. For more information and additional power tips, visit www.artoflongdriving.com.