Drills to Improve Your Swing Path

Introduction

A consistent and correct swing path is essential for hitting straighter and more accurate shots. Many golfers struggle with an inside-out or outside-in swing path, leading to hooks, slices, and inconsistent ball striking. These drills will help to develop muscle memory and reinforce a proper swing path. This guide provides key drills to help golfers develop a more reliable and repeatable swing motion.

1. Gate Drill

Purpose: Improves clubface alignment and prevents excessive in-to-out or out-to-in swings.

  • Place two tees slightly wider than the clubhead at impact.

  • Practice swinging through the gate without touching the tees.

  • This drill helps ensure a square clubface at impact and promotes a neutral swing path.

2. Alignment Stick Drill

Purpose: Provides instant feedback on swing path direction.

  • Place an alignment stick in the ground at a 45-degree angle just outside your ball.

  • Swing along your normal path without hitting the stick.

  • Encourages a neutral or slightly inside-to-out path for better ball flight control.

3. Swing Plane Board Drill

Purpose: Reinforces a correct takeaway and downswing path.

  • Use a swing plane board or an angled stick to match your ideal swing plane.

  • Practice taking the club back and down along the board’s angle.

  • Helps develop a more consistent on-plane swing.

4. Towel Under Arm Drill

Purpose: Encourages proper arm-body connection for a controlled swing path.

  • Place a towel under your lead arm and hold it in place while swinging.

  • Focus on keeping the towel in place during your backswing and downswing.

  • Promotes a more compact and connected swing, reducing excessive arm movement.

5. Two-Club Drill

Purpose: Trains the body to feel the correct path through exaggerated motion.

  • Hold two clubs together (one in each hand) and make slow practice swings.

  • The added weight helps promote a smoother, more controlled swing path.

  • Develops better club awareness and reduces erratic movements.

6. Headcover Drill

Purpose: Prevents over-the-top motion and promotes an inside path.

  • Place a headcover just outside the golf ball.

  • If you swing over the top, the club will hit the headcover.

  • Helps ingrain a more inside-out swing path for better shot shaping.

Conclusion

Developing a proper swing path requires consistent practice and awareness of movement patterns. These drills will help you refine your takeaway, transition, and downswing to produce more accurate, solid strikes. Incorporate these exercises into your training routine and track your progress to see noticeable improvements in your ball flight and overall consistency.

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