What we can learn from Tiger’s range drill
With the amount of information available online, golfers increasingly find ways to over-complicate an already complicated game. In my experience speaking to professionals, I’ve noticed a couple of things that I think really sets them apart. First of all, they have ‘feels’ they rely on rather than swing thoughts. And that brings me onto Tiger Woods’ record-equalling win at the Zozo Championship.
Prior to the event, a video emerged of Tiger giving what looked like a clinic to the Japanese fans on the driving range. Within this video, the 43-year-old can be seen hitting a low-ish stinger type shot before “climbing the ladder”, altering his setup, delivery and release to hit the high ball.
Is there an emoji for drooling?
— NCG (@NCG_com) October 25, 2019
I’ve picked out what I can see from this video that I think will help you execute these shots without getting overly technical.
Tiger Woods range drill: Hitting it low
- Position the ball slightly back in your stance
- Stand a little closer to the ball
- Maintain a steeper angle of attack – feel like you’re hitting a fade
- Release the clubhead low and left to straighten flight
- Hold off the follow through to minimise clubface rotation and maximise control
Tiger Woods range drill: Climbing the ladder
- Position the ball slightly up in your stance
- Stand a bit further away from the ball
- Shallow your angle of attack – feel like you’re hitting a draw
- Release the clubhead naturally with toe rotating over heel
- Feeling of releasing the arms high into a full follow through
Try it out next time you’re at the range and let me know how you get on.
Anything else?
Another snippet emerged from Tiger’s win that I found interesting. He led the field in putts per green in regulation with 1.62 and put this down to a simple tip he received from performance coach, Matt Killen.
While he’s always been highly effective on the greens, Woods was reminded to move his hands a little forward before taking the putter back – something he says he regularly forgets to do.
The lesson here is to keep on top of your basics if you know what they are and establish some if you don’t. If the best players in the world still devote regular time to the fundamentals then shouldn’t we all?
Nobody has the perfect swing, the perfect putting stroke, or the perfect chipping action. But by having a consistent setup, you give yourself the best chance of developing a repeatable action.
If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below or you can tweet me.
Andrew Wright
NCG's instruction editor. Terrible student so trying my hand at passing on some of the best advice I've never listened to. Member of Royal Troon. Favourite golfer is two-time major winner and hall of famer, Retief Goosen.
