Consistency in golf is the holy grail for players at every level. The key to achieving this lies in mastering the connection between your lead arm and torso. In a recent YouTube video, we shared a simple yet transformative drill with Performance Golf’s Eric Cogorno and Hall of Fame coach Rick Smith. This technique, which involves using a glove to keep the lead arm connected, promises to revolutionize your ball striking and improve your overall swing mechanics.
The Key to Consistent Ball Striking: Lead Arm Connection
Maintaining a connection between the lead arm and torso is a fundamental principle for solid ball striking. Rick Smith emphasizes this connection as a cornerstone of his “Perfect Impact” program. The drill is simple and straightforward:
- Place a glove under your lead arm’s armpit.
- Feel the pressure of the glove throughout your swing.
This simple setup helps prevent the lead arm from separating, ensuring that your swing remains consistent and on plane.
The Glove Drill: Mechanics and Benefits
- Setup and Feel
- Start by positioning the glove snugly in your armpit.
- Feel slight pressure between the inner part of your bicep and your chest.
- Maintain this pressure throughout your setup and backswing.
- Swing Dynamics
- As you swing back, keep the glove secure to ensure proper width in your backswing.
- On the downswing, focus on adding pressure to re-engage the connection between your arm and torso.
- At impact, your lead arm remains connected, promoting body rotation and reducing the likelihood of over-the-top or steep swings.
- Post-Impact and Beyond
- The glove may naturally fall out after impact or in the finish, which is okay.
- This drill encourages arm rotation and torso involvement, eliminating common issues like “chicken-winging.”
Rick Smith points out that this drill not only improves swing mechanics but also fixes multiple aspects of your game—such as club path, face control, and body pivot—all at once.
Why This Drill Works for Everyone
Whether you struggle with slicing, hooking, or maintaining a consistent swing path, this drill offers a solution:
- Slice: It promotes an inside club path, reducing over-the-top motions.
- Hook: It ensures proper body rotation and post-impact control.
- All Players: It encourages a stable clubface, consistent radius, and proper pivot dynamics.
PGA Tour professionals frequently practice with similar drills, underscoring its effectiveness for players of all skill levels.
Feel the Connection, See the Results
For golfers seeking more consistent ball striking, the lead arm connection drill is a game-changer. By focusing on the simple sensation of keeping your lead arm pressed against your torso, you eliminate unnecessary swing thoughts and improve key elements of your game. As Eric Cogorno explains, this move can fix multiple issues simultaneously, making it an invaluable addition to your practice routine.
Try it yourself, and you might just find that this move changes your ball striking forever!
