DEB VANGELLOW
Growing up in New York, the winters were brutal. Playing all sports helped keep all of us in condition and the athletic-ness was a plus for golf.
I learned from early on that doing something golf-swing related would help me come out of the blocks better once golf season started.
When the clubs were put up for the long winter, I kept two clubs (sand wedge and 5-wood) in my closet for cold weather practice, something I did daily to keep my golf muscles loose through the golf swing. Simply committing to 50 swings a day for five to seven days a week was great for me.
On the weekends, I committed to 50 swings a day LEFT handed, to strengthen and balance out both sides of my brain/body to avoid injury. It seemed to really help me once basketball season ended and spring sports season began.
That I was not focused on the outcome of the shot was great for me too…it helped me to focus/feel the order of movement in the swing.
A great drill for the Winter Months:
The Finish To Finish Drill
- Start at address with club and no ball
- Swing the club “up” to a good, balanced finish (weight on left leg and right toe, navel and nose facing left of the target)
- From here, simply swing back and through to the follow through/finish, clipping grass on the forward swing en route to the second balance finish position
- Timing will be forward on 1, back on 2, through on 3 (Slow, Smooth, Go!)
- Re-start at address and repeat
This drill is great for rhythm, timing, balance, tempo…and with momentum on your side, a WONDERFUL pivot!
