the check drill

A swing drill for a quick look-see at path, face, and whether they’re still on speaking terms

The Check Drill gives the downswing a quick look-see before impact. Not a full trial. Not a museum pose. Just a brief stop at shaft-parallel, where the club has to reveal two useful secrets—its path and its face.

Sometimes you use it to check face direction. Something swing direction. Sometimes both as the ball’s curve depends on how face and swing direction get along.

Instructions—

  1. Set up to the ball.

  2. Make your backswing.

  3. At the downswing, stop at pre-impact, where the shaft is parallel to the ground.

  4. Check or set the face or shaft angle—or both.

  5. Pump once or twice, making sure to pressure the ground with your lead foot each time.

  6. Swing through finish.