Understanding Why Club Path Matters
One of the most common issues I see with golfers is an inconsistent club path, which often leads to those frustrating slices or pulls. Getting your club moving on the correct path through impact is absolutely vital if you want to hit straighter, more reliable golf shots. The good news is, with a bit of awareness and the right practice, you can make big improvements here.
The Most Common Fault: Over-the-Top
A lot of golfers struggle with swinging over the top. This means the club moves too much from out to in during the downswing, which makes it difficult to square the clubface and sends the ball off target. If you’ve ever seen your shots starting left and slicing right (for a right-handed golfer), poor path is often to blame.
The Key to a Better Path: Feel the Right Move
To get the club working more from the inside, try focusing on what your lead arm and hands are doing as you start the downswing. Rather than throwing your hands out towards the ball, feel like you’re dropping your hands down and letting the club shallow out behind you. This helps the club travel more from inside the target line, setting you up for a much straighter shot.
A Simple Drill for Club Path
Here’s a straightforward drill you can do on the range. Take your normal setup, then place a headcover or alignment stick just outside the target line, a few inches behind the ball. Your goal is to swing and avoid hitting the headcover or stick. This encourages your club to approach the ball from the inside, rather than cutting across from out to in. It’s a great way to train your body to repeat the right movement and build confidence.
Focus on the Finish
One thing I always recommend is paying attention to your finish position. If you’re getting your club path right, you’ll find it much easier to finish in balance, facing the target, rather than falling off to the side. Use this as feedback—if your balance feels good, your path is likely improving too.
Bringing It All Together
Improving your club path doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on the start of your downswing and using simple feedback drills, you’ll start seeing your shots fly straighter and with more consistency. Stick with it, be patient, and those frustrating slices will soon be a thing of the past.
If you want more tailored advice, I offer online lessons through Skillest, where we can dive deeper into your swing and build a plan just for you.
Watch the Full YouTube Video
Keen to see these tips in action? Watch the full YouTube video here.
