METHOD 1: ONE BOTTLE OUTSIDE AND JUST BEHIND THE BALL
This method is fantastic for the person who swings “over the top” or outside to in. You’re going to need to avoid hitting the bottle as your club makes its way down to the golf ball. The closer you can place the bottle to the ball, just outside the ball, the better. If you know you have a vertical angle of attack or someone has told you your swing looks like a helicopter, this method is for you. With the bottle outside the ball, you’ll begin to feel the driver path start to flatten as it approaches the ball, requiring the club path to come more from the inside.
METHOD 2: ONE BOTTLE INSIDE AND IN FRONT OF THE BALL
You already have a decent downward path with your driver as you swing through your shots, but if you’d like to add a bit more distance and better initial trajectory to your shot pattern, this method is for you. When swinging a driver, missing the water bottle going through and in front of the ball will require the club to keep working on a path that extends a little further towards your target. In turn, you’ll release the club a bit later in the swing, creating more advantageous dynamic loft positions to bring trajectory to its ideal angle and assist with hitting “up” on the ball as the club passes through impact.
METHOD 3: BOTH BOTTLES MAKES FOR MAXIMUM IMPROVEMENT
This method is for the more advanced player looking to fine tune your swing. (I’m demonstrating it in Photos 5-8). The “Double Gate Drill” as it’s sometimes called is very popular on tour for both the men and women. And the distance these tour players place the water bottles is the minimum amount possible to create the smallest margins of error. Starting with this method will only frustrate you if you’re of average skill. I suggest you work your way into this method by practicing either or both Methods 1 and 2.
The Gate Drill is a very effective, low cost way to create a more consistent swing path, which in turn will assist you with hitting the center of your driver more often. No matter what method you choose, start out with swings that are 50 percent of the effort you normally swing the club. Doing so will allow your brain and body to feel the difference the drill creates and feel the ball hitting the center of the club face more often.
Look at any tour player’s golf clubs and you’ll see little marks on club faces, about the size of a dime or smaller, that indicate how important hitting the center of any club is to more consistent and better ball striking. And this applies to all clubs, including the putter. Some professionals replace their wedges 3-4 times a season because they have not only worn out the grooves, they’ve also made an indentation into the club face due to hitting the center all the time.
Your objective should be to start hitting the center of each club face so over time you may see a wear spot appear the size of a quarter or better yet, a nickel. When you can accomplish that, the days of inconsistency are close to coming to an end.
John Hughes is a PGA Master Professional and founder of John Hughes Golf Schools in Orlando, Florida. Visit him at www.johnhughesgolf.com
