Here are some personal notes from the Driving Range during the U.S. Open at Winged Foot!

 

The 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot gave me the opportunity to be involved in the area where most golf teachers and coaches dream of: The Driving Rage!

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It was long hours of work, but so worth it. Fortunately, I had a great team around me. We all enjoyed it very much. 

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These are just a few things that got my attention during that week. I am sure they may help next time you go hit some balls.

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1. They all have a wonderful GRIP.  Some on the strong side, some neutral, and some weak; but, overall, their hands are matching perfectly like a puzzle.  Ready to work together! 
    

2. Their Posture.  Athletic and balanced.  Their back is straight and relaxed.  Their weight (it seems to me) is towards the balls of their feet (not back on their heels).
    

3. Set Up

   1. ​Their arms are creating a “V” Shape or Triangle, formed by their shoulder’s line, and arms hanging naturally. There’s EXTENSION, BUT NO TENSION! 
       

4. ​Back-Swing 

   1. ​Their head is “the anchor.” It never moves!

   2. While their shoulders are in full turn, their left arm is extending, generating power, and creating Width of Arc (big source of power).

   3. Not one person swings past parallel with an iron. 
       

5. ​Their TIMING during the transition from the top of their back swing (to start their down swing) is smooth and passive.  Effortless! 
    

6. IMPACT.  Weight has transferred to the left, or towards the target.  The arms are fully extended.  Their eyes are locked on the ball!  Most of them even stay a split second longer with their eyes where the ball was, past impact.  Looks to me that their head doesn’t want to move at all in order to compress the ball at Impact.  It’s like their head disconnects from the rest of their body and slowly moves onto a full balanced finish.  The sound of a solid shot is a thing of beauty! 
    

7. Their FINISH is in perfect balance, ALWAYS! 

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I also noticed that everybody practices with an alignment stick.  I truly recommend this to all my students.  It helps tremendously.  Whether you need to work on your aim and alignment or you want to check on taking the club back in a good path. 

Some would put the stick on their foot line, others close to the ball inside or outside the target line.  This is very helpful to start your backswing on a good path. 

I will post a few swing videos and will analyze them for you.  The first video I would like to share is actually my favorite swing from Zach Johnson on the PGA Tour!  Here he is hitting an iron shot: 

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