Recently crowned Senior Open Champion Padraig Harrington has unveiled the drill he uses to perfect his swing control.
The 53-year-old became only the fifth player to win the Open and the Senior Open at Sunningdale and battled with precision to win at 16 under par.
Wayward swings and the loss of directional control are common experiences for most amateur golfers as they develop in the sport. Opening up the shoulders can cause the golf ball to be pulled, and a smooth swing is essential for gaining more precision with strokes.
Training a proper and, more importantly, consistent golf swing path will increase accuracy and reduce unwanted left or right ball flights on the golf course.
Being able to start the ball on line is a fantastic place to be as an amateur, as you’ll be giving yourself more chances and room to be more aggressive with the swing.
Harrington’s tennis ball drill will help train a proper swing path and enhance hand-eye-body coordination, which is vital to minimise mistakes.
The drill is accessible and was originally formed by golf instructor Pete Cowan – all you need is a wall and a tennis ball.
How to perform the Padraig Harrington-approved tennis ball drill
To set up for the drill, you will need to get into your golf stance, as if ready to play a stroke on the course, about two metres away from a wall.
Tipping your hips with a slight bend in the knees and lower body muscles engaged will provide the foundation for peak athletic output.
The tennis ball is then held in the trailing hand with the lead hand supporting, simulating gripping a golf club.
Now the setup is complete, you will cock back the backswing and then throw the arms down, releasing the ball at what would be the point of impact with the golf ball.
The aim is to ensure the tennis ball bounces once on the ground before hitting the wall directly in front.
If the swing path and release point are straight, the ball will bounce once and rebound straight back to you.
However, if the swing path is too open or closed or released early or late, the ball will go wide and miss the ‘sweet spot’ in the centre of the wall.
Release timing is everything; it determines when the clubhead meets the ball and consequently, how efficiently energy is transferred.
An early or late release in this drill translates to weak strikes as well as slices or hooks on the golf course.
Efficient body rotation is the engine that will guide the golf swing, ensuring the hands and arms are in sync and allowing the clubface to deliver power.
Like all sports, improvement requires practice, which will build feel, consistency and meaningful results that can be seen on the golf course.
This drill provides instant feedback; if the ball doesn’t return straight, then you’ll know your release or swing motion is off.
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