The Release Drill is a clubface-control drill that sneaks in proper ground contract for free. It starts at the halfway-through position, where the arms are parallel to the ground. Set the clubface closed, open, or square, then rehearse back and through to this position until the release has a feel.

the point is not to stare at the clubface or babysit impact. It is to feel the motion, visualize the flight, and let the body figure out how to deliver the face.

Use this with all your clubs, starting with wedges.

Instructions—

1. Without a ball, set up in the halfway-through position, with arms parallel to the ground.

2. Set the clubface closed.

3. From that position, make a backswing, then swing back through to the same halfway-through position.

4. Repeat, in perpetual motion, until you feel the motion of the closed face returning to the halfway-through position.

5. Set up to a ball.

6. Swing with the same feel. You ball must start left.

If you successfully start the ball left, move on to an open face to start the ball right. Then a square face to start the ball between your left- and right-starting balls.

Move on to other clubs.

Note—

It is important to do the rehearsal in perpetual motion. Less thinking, more feeling. Also visualize the ball flight.

the goal is to connect the feel of the release with the picture of the shot. Practice it enough, and the swing has a better chance of showing up in competition without needed a full instruction manual at impact.