Tip From the Archives
Popup Slice
Problem
You see a lot of weak slices and popups with a loss of distance.
Cure
If you are coming over the top it will cause a lazy slice. If you can get your hips in a better position at impact, it will allow you to bring the club a little lower and slightly from the inside. This should give you a better impact position.
Therapy
In addition to turning your hips toward the target, you also need to allow a little lateral movement as well. Let your hips move a little towards the target as you take the downswing but do not allow them to move past your knee or you will start to sway. One easy drill to practice this is to practice with a high table or bar. Set up without a club so that the surface is hip level. Leave an inch between your hip and the tabletop while your forward knee and foot are under the table. Swing your arms up to the top of the backswing. As you start to turn your hips towards the table during the downswing, try to bump the table with your hip.
Very important! This has helped my swing a lot. Make sure to initiate your downswing with the lateral hip movement and keep your shoulders and arms still for a second. Just continue to uncoil your hips and let the arms drop vertically. You may also want to focus on shifting your weight not only to the left foot, but to it's heel in particular.
My way to practice this exercise, which is also very good for tempo is to "feel your back heel come off the ground as you pass through the ball" When my tempo gets out of sync I tend to get quick which forces my heel off the ground early producing lazy slices. I concentrate on pushing through the ball and gently letting my heel initiate my follow through.
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