PERFORMANCE SECRET #2:
OFF-SEASON PRACTICE

By Greg Killingsworth
GolfTEC Coach
Reno, NV

Practice Your Swing in Front of a Mirror

A great time to practice essentials in the setup and swing is during the off-season. Practicing in front of a mirror is one of the simplest things you can do.

You can never get enough practice on the basics of a good grip, setup and takeaway. A mirror or large window can give you valuable feedback on weight transfer, right-hip pivot and head movement during the backswing. Use a piece of tape on the floor or mirror as a point of reference. If you've had a GolfTEC lesson, think of the tape as the lines that your Coach draws on the computer screen.

Put the tape on the floor and mirror to mark the address position of your right hip and head. During your takeaway, watch both to see how much they sway from your address position. Too much movement from your head or hips during your takeaway will cause problems for your full swing.

A mirror is also a great way to practice specific-distance wedge swings by measuring the length of your swing. Try taking the club back to the 7:30, 9:00, and 10:30 positions on the dial of a clock.  This provides practice for your muscle memory and visual feedback for those off-season layoffs. Next, try swinging to those positions with your eyes closed. This will test your muscle memory.

A word of CAUTION: move the furniture and avoid overhead fans and lights. Have fun.