Making Adjustments to Your Swing Mechanics and Body Turn As the weather begins to warm and you consider booking your first tee time, be sure that you are properly prepared to play 18 holes. Over the past few months, you may not have swung the clubs very much, and you may be a little stiff stepping out onto the first tee box. You can loosen up before your first rounds while improving your swing mechanics and body turn with a few simple drills.

Working on Your Pivot

Sandy LaBauve, a PGA Professional based out of Arizona, believes working on your pivot is one of the best things you can do in the off-season or preseason. She suggests getting in front of a mirror, and finding an athletic golf posture. From there, practice turning your entire chest. When your chest turns, your right arm can simulate your backswing so that when your chest is fully turned your right arm is where it would be at the top of your backswing. Then reach up, and grab your right arm with your left.

Another variation of LaBauve’s drill would be to do the same chest turn, but this time raising your left arm instead of your right. Once at the top of your backswing you can reach your right arm up to grab onto your left hand. These drills, while seemingly dry and repetitive, can help you build awareness in your swing. Being able to listen to your swing and make self-improvements will be vitally important while on the course. You should have a good understanding of whether or not your hands and arms are in the proper place and if you’re getting a proper chest turn. Your swing should be something that you feel and not something that you constantly think about.

Once you have mastered this drill with your backswing, turn around and complete the drill from the opposite side. Doing so will emphasize a good chest turn during your follow-through, after your ball impact.

Having Trouble Finding Your Swing?

If you’re still feeling uncomfortable with your swing after completing these drills, contact one of our Westlake Golf pros. Our professionals utilize high-tech video analysis, allowing you to see any deficiencies or inconsistencies in your swing. Just a couple lessons can allow you to make positive, worthwhile changes to your game.