Shape Your Shot from the Finish

Mark Oswald
General Manager
The Highlands at Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ.
Marana, AZ
oswaldpga@gmail.com

More Information

Use your finish position to help you shape your ball flight. If you prefer a fade or slice ball flight, you will want to finish with your hands high in the finish position.  Picture this position before beginning the shot. How high and what path do I want the ball to take to your target? 

If you see the fade or slice ball flight, add finishing with your hands above your head at the finish. This type of finish generally is the result of less body rotation which results in less clubface rotation, and impact occurs with a slightly open clubface. This high finish with the hands also promotes a higher ball flight.

If you prefer the draw or hook ball flight, you will want your hands low in the finish position. Your hands will be at shoulder height or lower and more to the side of your body. This finish position is the result of more clubface rotation which closes the clubface more at impact and promotes the draw or hook.

Look at your finish and see if it is matching your ball flight. If you want to reduce the fade, lower your hands at the finish, rotate your body more and swing around your body. If you want to reduce the draw, rotate your body less and allow the hands to swing more upward and less around the body. 

Incorporate the ball direction and height that you want into your pre-swing routine and picture your hands in the finish position that match your preferred ball flight. Practice this on the range and see the ball flight begin to change.

For more help with your golf game, contact Mark Oswald at oswaldpga@msn.com.