Reverse the Trend

At PGA Tour pro-am events, such as the Disney Tournament, the amateurs and pros hit next to each other on the range. On the surface, the amateurs do not look much different from the pros. They are fairly well built men who look like they knew how to play. They are dressed like pro golfers and have nice clubs. And even when they set up to the ball they appear in good position and poised to hit a good shot, similar to their pro partners.

Why is it that one group hits great shot after great shot, and the other group hits mainly poor shots? It’s simple: Swing structure.

The amateurs and pros have completely different swing structures. The amateurs loop the club to the inside on the backswing and to the outside on the downswing. The pros swing straight back on the backswing and from the inside on the downswing.
It is so amazing as you watch these players hit next to each other. You get such a clear view of the main difference between them. It’s not their stance. It’s not their ball position. It’s not their alignment. It’s not their posture. It’s not their tempo. It’s simply that they go in completely opposite directions throughout their swing with their path and plane.

Unfortunately, 85% of the golfing population has been swinging inside on the backswing and outside on the downswing for years. So much so that it has become a trend, which leads to this tip: "Reverse the Trend"
There are basically two swing structures in golf: Steep, then shallow, or over the top. Each has slight variations and certain degrees of difference, but you are generally classified as having one or the other.

The trend among amateurs for years has been to loop the club inside on the way back and outside on the way down. This results in the classic "over the top" position. From this position, the downswing is very steep, which can result in heavy shots, and the clubface is encouraged to open, which can result in slices.

This swing structure must be reversed before you can become a good player. Nothing else matters in your swing until you can get rid of this over-the-top move and make your swing more like the shape of a pro’s. Most people believe that fixing their swing shape is difficult. With all the swing gadgets out there, it can be perceived that way. I am here to say that it’s not difficult. All it takes is a little common sense and some exaggeration of the correct move.For example: When you loop the club to the inside, then throw it to the outside, you are essentially making a reverse figure-8 swing. That said, you will need to practice the opposite way: Make a series of regular figure-8 swings; whereby you swing the club well to the outside on the way back, then loop it way to the inside coming down. This will break the mold that your muscles have been in for so long.

Another great drill is to swing straight back like you are sticking the clubhead into a baseball catcher’s mit; then, on the downswing, swing out toward right field. This will get your swing plane more steep on the backswing and shallow on the downswing. Anything to reverse the over-the-top move is good.