GOLF TIP by Nan Ryan
LPGA Teaching Professional
Little Peoples Golf

"Practice, Practice, Practice"

Do you have trouble keeping your swing feeling good when you can't get out to the golf course or practice tee? Then here is an exercise you can do any place with just a yardstick.

Hold one end of the stick against your belt buckle and place your hands on the stick, using your regular golf grip, keeping your arms extended. Take your regular golf stance. The stick should not touch the floor. Keeping both arms extended but relaxed, turn your hips to the right, then to the left, back and forth. The end of the stick will move in a rhythmic, pendulum-type motion. Don't turn too far! An 8 o'clock to 4 o'clock movement is plenty.

As you make this back and forth motion, feel your weight shift back and forth from right to left. Your arms are swinging, your head is steady, your hips are turning, your weight is shifting...congratulations. You are making a perfect golf swing. This exercise lets you feel the rhythm of your swing and helps groove the movement of the club through the hitting area.

Do this exercise for five minutes several times a day, as often as possible. When you hit that next shot of the first tee, you'll be a happier golfer!