The towel is both a constraint and a tattletale. It sits behind the ball to give your swing a boundary. If the club swipes the towel, your low point arrived too early. If the club misses—or slightly nips— the towel and finds the ball cleanly, your low point is moving in a better direction.

Do this with wedges and irons.

Instructions—

1. Place a towel about 4-6 inches behind the ball.

2. Set up to the ball.

3. Swing to strike the ball without swiping the towel. A slight nipping is OK.

Start with your wedges.

If you can strike the ball without swiping the towel two in a row, move on to the next club. Keeping do so until you reach your hybrids and woods.

You might want to move the towel an inch back for your hybrids and woods. These clubs are meant to nip the ground, not thump it.