If you’re a golfer who often feels like you’re in a hurry to start the downswing, you’ll know how frustrating it is. Rushing from the top kills solid ball striking, saps distance, and destroys accuracy. Yet, when you watch the very best players, everything looks so effortless and controlled. So, what’s their secret?

The Key Difference: How the Best Create Power

The world’s best golfers generate power and accuracy through their sequencing. Rather than rushing from the top, they let their body initiate the movement, creating energy from the ground up. You might hear a lot about 'using the ground' these days, but the real magic is understanding how to shift pressure correctly.

Most club golfers make the mistake of making a slow backswing, keeping the body still, then trying to snatch at the club in the downswing. All the pressure stays on the back foot, resulting in fat shots, tops, thins, and a weak follow through. The pros do the opposite: as the club reaches the top, the pressure has already shifted towards the lead side, letting the club lag behind for maximum power.

The Two-Step Drill for Effortless Power

One of the best drills I use—with myself and thousands of golfers I’ve coached—is the two-step drill. Here’s how you can use it to feel the proper sequencing of body and club:

1. Take your normal stance with the club behind the ball and your feet together.
2. Start your backswing by stepping your trail foot back slightly, leaving the club behind on the ground.
3. Swing to the top as you step, feeling the handle of the club move naturally.
4. As you reach the top, shift your lead foot towards the target, then swing down.

Focus on making the step before you move the club each way. It might feel a little uncoordinated at first, but this drill helps you experience how effortless power is generated when the body leads and the club follows.

After a few repetitions, introduce a ball (starting from a tee if needed). You’ll be amazed at how easy it feels to generate speed and strike the ball well. The numbers speak for themselves: high club and ball speeds, solid strikes, and impressive carry distances—all without extra effort.

Bringing the Feel Into Your Full Swing

Once you’ve got the hang of the two-step drill, it’s time to transfer that movement into your regular swing. Set up normally and focus on a small bump of the hips towards the trail side to start the backswing, keeping the club still. As the club nears the top, shift your hips towards the target and let the club follow. Start a little slower than full speed to get the feel. You’ll notice you have far more time in the downswing and can deliver the club to the ball with power and accuracy.

This isn’t about swaying or sliding. It’s a subtle lateral pressure shift, just like you see with players such as Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. They create accuracy and power by moving pressure effectively, not by trying to hang back or over-rotate. Exaggerate the feel if you need to, especially in the downswing, and you’ll notice a big improvement in both distance and control.

Why Pressure Shift Matters

So many golfers get caught up in trying to draw perfect swing lines or focus solely on rotation. In reality, a dynamic shift of pressure lets you deliver the club on the right path, control the face, and strike ball before ground more consistently. If you get the movement right, everything else falls into place. If you stick with the old habits, you’ll find it much harder to create effortless power and repeatable strikes.

Want Personalised Feedback?

If you’d like to work with me directly, whether in person or online, I have a few spaces available for new students. I use specialist software to help you see and feel your movement, ensuring you’re making real progress. For more information or to book an online lesson, visit my Skillest coaching page.

Watch the Full Drill and Explanation

Ready to see everything in action? Watch the full YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1jA7_BAn_4

The post Stop Rushing Your Downswing and Create Effortless Power appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

If you’re a golfer who finds yourself fatting, thinning, or even topping iron shots – but occasionally enjoying that pure, flushed feeling – you’re not alone. Most golfers crave that powerful, compressed strike yet rarely experience it consistently. The good news is, with a simple change in how you move your body, you can start to strike ball then ground every single time and enjoy your best ball striking yet.

Watch the full YouTube lesson here.

The Key Difference Between Amateurs and Tour Pros

When we look at the world’s best players, the impact position is dramatically different from most amateurs. While the address positions might look similar, elite golfers shift much more pressure and weight into their lead side as they approach impact. They create forward shaft lean, meaning their hands are ahead of the ball, and they are able to compress the ball before the club strikes the ground. In contrast, many amateurs hang back on their trail foot, fail to lean the shaft forward, and end up adding loft or striking the ground before the ball.

Forget Chasing Hand Position – Focus on Body Movement

A common misconception is that you need to consciously force your hands ahead of the ball to create that crisp strike. In reality, you want your body to move in a way that naturally delivers the club in that ideal position. It’s about shifting your hips and weight correctly so the club is de-lofted through impact, allowing you to strike ball then ground, and send your irons further and more consistently.

The Simple Drill to Transform Your Strike

Here’s a key drill that can quickly change your ball striking:

1. Address the ball as normal.
2. Move your hips five or six inches closer to the target, letting your hands and upper body go with them.
3. As you move, let your lead leg (left leg for right-handers) straighten slightly, which will help your hips turn out of the way.

You should feel more pressure into your lead side, with your trail foot still close to the ground. This is the position you want to rehearse. You’ll notice, even without swinging, the club is pressing more into the mat, simulating that ball-then-turf strike.

How to Blend It Into Your Swing

Now, make a normal backswing. From the top, before anything else moves, shift your hips towards the target as practised. Then swing down through the ball. Practise this a few times with slow swings. You’ll find the club’s low point – where it bottoms out – is now after the ball, not before or at it. This is the secret to compressing your irons and getting that powerful, flush strike.

Why De-Lofting the Club Matters

Many golfers ask why we want to de-loft the club at impact. It’s not just about distance – it’s about striking ball then ground. If you present too much of the club’s original loft, or worse, add loft by hanging back, you lose energy, control, and consistency. By de-lofting, you compress the ball, transfer more energy, and achieve better distance and flight.

Adapting for Longer Clubs

As you move into mid and long irons, hybrids, or fairway woods, the principle remains. The low point should still be after the ball, but you can move the ball slightly forward in your stance. You won’t need quite as much shaft lean with less lofted clubs, but that same body movement ensures you’re always striking ball first.

Build Confidence and Lower Scores

Once you master this simple shift in your swing, you’ll find you’re striking the ball further, straighter, and with much more consistency. Stop worrying about getting your hands in front. Focus on moving your body correctly and the hands and arms will follow. This movement is the foundation for better ball striking and lower scores.

If you’re looking for personalised help, I offer online lessons here where we can work on your technique together – wherever you are in the world.

Watch the Full Lesson

For a full walk-through and live examples, watch the YouTube video here. Start practising this simple move and you’ll soon be enjoying those pure, flushed iron shots round after round.

The post How to Strike Ball Then Turf Every Time appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

With the cost of golf equipment constantly on the rise, finding affordable golf clubs that still offer great performance can feel like a challenge. Many golfers feel that new clubs are simply out of reach. I’ve recently had the opportunity to test the Nicholas Essentials set from Sticks Golf—a 10-club package set designed to deliver both quality and value.

What’s in the Set?

This set includes a driver, 3-wood, hybrid, six iron through pitching wedge, a 56° wedge, a putter, and a tidy stand bag. That’s everything you need to get out on the course without having to piece together a full set from scratch. The clubs have a traditional look but with some modern touches, and they’re built to be forgiving for players who are still developing their swing.

Real Feedback From a New Golfer

One thing I always hear is that not everyone swings or strikes the ball like a coach or low handicapper. That’s why I brought in a relatively new golfer to test these clubs and share his impressions. He’s been playing for about a year, still learning, and not always finding the centre of the clubface—which makes his feedback all the more relatable for the majority of club golfers.

Forgiving Irons With Classic Looks

When you put these irons behind the ball, they look inviting rather than intimidating. They’re not oversized, but the cavity back design offers a good level of forgiveness. With only six iron down to pitching wedge and a 56° wedge, there’s a focus on the clubs most golfers use consistently. Even on mishits, the ball still carried a reasonable distance—ideal for those days when your strike isn’t perfect.

Compared to black-headed irons, these more traditional chrome clubs look and feel solid. Struck well, they give you great feedback and carry. On thin or off-centre hits, you still get decent results, though you’ll definitely feel it if you catch one low on the face.

The 56° Wedge: Versatile and Confidence-Boosting

The 56° wedge stands out in the set. It moves away from the cavity back style and adopts more of a bladed look, giving the club a traditional and clean appearance. Whether playing full shots or those tricky little flop shots, it’s versatile and inspires confidence.

For those that like to get creative around the greens, this wedge can deliver high, soft landings—perfect for escaping tricky situations.

Hybrid and Woods: Forgiving and Easy to Launch

For many golfers, long irons can be daunting. This set skips the five iron altogether and replaces it with a 21° four hybrid, which is a big plus for those seeking forgiveness. The hybrid is easy to launch, looks great at address, and offers that extra bit of help for longer shots from the fairway or rough.

The 3-wood in the set comes in at 16°, a touch higher lofted than many standard 3-woods. This makes it easier to get in the air and more playable for everyday golfers. Even on off-centre strikes, distance was still respectable, and well-struck shots flew impressively.

Driver: Strong Performance Without Intimidation

The driver has a modern look, featuring a nice contrast between the front and back of the head plus a distinctive alignment dot to help with set up. Performance-wise, it delivered solid distance for both experienced and newer golfers. The feedback off the face was excellent, and the club felt stable even for those still working on consistent contact.

Putter and Bag: Practical and Stylish

The set is rounded out with a mallet-headed putter that looks clean and inspires confidence on the greens. The bag is functional, smart, and lightweight—something you’ll appreciate round after round.

Outstanding Value for Money

With a typical price of $699 (and often available at a discount), this 10-club set offers fantastic value, particularly when you consider the quality and performance on offer. For golfers who want a reliable, great-looking set without the hefty price tag, this is a standout option.

Upgrade Your Game—Without Breaking the Bank

If you’re looking to elevate your game with new equipment, you don’t have to spend a fortune. Sets like this make quality golf more accessible, letting you focus on improving your skills rather than worrying about your gear. And remember, if you want tailored advice on getting the best out of your clubs or improving your swing, I offer online lessons wherever you are in the world—find out more here.

Watch the Full Review and See the Clubs in Action

Curious to see how these clubs perform for both new and experienced players? Watch the full YouTube video here and get all the details first hand.

The post Affordable Golf Clubs: Performance Without Breaking the Bank appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

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.

The post Mastering the Club Path for Straighter Golf Shots appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

If you’re anything like most golfers, you probably feel confident when the ball’s teed up, but those mid to long irons off the ground can feel like a lottery. Poor contact, thin strikes or heavy shots that go nowhere – it’s a frustration I see time and again. But with a simple change to your movement, you can transform your long iron ball striking and start hitting higher, longer shots into greens with real confidence.

The Core Issue: Moving Off the Ball

One of the biggest mistakes I see is golfers letting their hips and body move too far away from the ball in the backswing. Instinctively, when holding a club with less loft, there’s a temptation to try and get under the ball. This actually moves your weight away from the target, making it much harder to get your strike and low point where they need to be.

What happens next? You’re forced to make a huge move back towards the target in the downswing, often resulting in inconsistent contact or even the dreaded fat and thin shots.

Stay Centred for Pure Striking

The very best ball strikers do something different. They stay much more centred over the ball during the backswing. From there, they can move towards the target in the downswing and ensure the low point of their swing is after the ball. This is the key to striking ball first, then turf – the foundation of great long iron shots.

A Simple Drill to Transform Your Strike

Here’s a drill I use with golfers to immediately improve their contact:

• Draw two lines on the ground or your mat. The first is where the ball sits, the second about four inches ahead towards the target.
• Set up with your club behind the back line (where the ball is).
• Make practice swings, aiming to hit the ground at the front line, not the back. This trains your body to shift towards the target and get your low point after the ball.

At first, you might find you hit in between the two lines, but keep practising until you consistently strike the front line. This feedback is invaluable – you’ll feel when your weight is getting onto your lead side and you’re compressing the ball properly.

Don’t Forget Shot Shape and Direction

Once you’ve got a feel for this movement and your contact is solid, start thinking about your shot shape. Many golfers focus so much on strike that they forget about where the ball is going. Pick a shot – whether it’s a little draw or a gentle fade – and work on controlling your clubface through impact. Remember, for most golfers, a small draw is both achievable and reliable with this improved movement.

There’s a balance to strike here. If you focus too much on closing the clubface, you might revert to hanging back and lose your quality of contact. The key is to keep your movement centred and ahead, then match up your clubface control for the shot you want.

Key Feel: Ground Pressure in the Backswing

To help you avoid swaying off the ball, focus on pushing your trail foot into the ground as you start back. This keeps you centred and stable, making it much easier to shift your weight onto your lead side in the downswing and get that crisp, ball-first contact.

When to Use Hybrids or Fairway Woods

If you’re still finding long irons a struggle, even with a better strike, don’t hesitate to consider a hybrid or lofted fairway wood. Sometimes these clubs are simply a better fit for your game. But if you’re determined to master your long irons, controlling your movement and low point is the key.

Need More Personalised Help?

If you’d like tailored feedback on your swing, I offer online lessons through Skillest. Upload your swing, get my direct feedback and let’s take your ball striking to the next level.

Watch the Full Lesson

Want to see this approach in action and pick up even more tips? Watch the full YouTube lesson here and start striking your long irons pure today.

The post Strike Your Long Irons Pure with This Simple Movement appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

When it comes to buying new irons, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the marketing noise. Every few months, manufacturers release new models with bold claims about distance, forgiveness and feel. But as a PGA professional, I want to help you cut through that noise and focus on what will truly improve your golf.

The Reality of Forgiveness in Irons

One of the most important factors for mid to high handicap golfers is forgiveness. A club that’s packed with technology can make a real difference, especially if you don’t hit the centre of the clubface every time. I recently put the Srixon ZX irons through their paces, not just for my swing but also with a player who doesn’t always find the middle. These irons are designed to suit golfers who want a bit more help – and the results were eye-opening.

For instance, even when the strike was a touch off-centre, the ball speed and carry distance held up well. Peak height, however, is something to watch; ideally, every iron should peak at a similar height, providing that predictable flight and stopping power on the greens. With the ZX irons, both seven iron and pitching wedge produced high, consistent flights. The five iron, as with many clubs in this category, was a bit flatter and rolled out more, which is common for longer irons. If you ever feel intimidated standing over a long iron, you’re not alone. For many, six iron down is the sweet spot for confidence and consistency.

Cavity Back Wedges: The Overlooked Game-Changer

Here’s where a lot of golfers go wrong: they play forgiving, cavity back irons but then put blade-style wedges in the bag. Bladed wedges look great and feel fantastic when struck perfectly, but they don’t offer much forgiveness on those inevitable mishits. For anyone hitting full shots with their gap wedge or sand wedge, a cavity back design can be a massive advantage.

I’ve seen many golfers benefit from switching to a cavity back wedge, especially in the 52 and 56 degree options. The forgiveness helps keep ball speed, flight and spin more consistent, which leads to better distance control and more predictable outcomes. Playing shots with a cavity back wedge often results in higher, softer landings and less rollout, which is exactly what you want for approach play.

The Limitations of Cavity Back in High Lofted Wedges

When it comes to the most lofted wedges, such as 58 or 60 degrees, versatility becomes a bigger factor. Blade wedges tend to offer more finesse and the ability to play delicate shots like flops or little pitches around the green. Some golfers find that cavity back wedges can sit a bit higher off the ground when opened up, making certain shots feel awkward. My advice is to consider cavity backs for your gap and sand wedge, but stick to a blade for your most lofted wedge if you want that touch and shot-making flexibility.

Why Club Fitting Matters

Whether you’re a confident ball striker or still working on your consistency, the right irons and wedges make a real difference. It’s not just about distance; height, land angle and forgiveness are crucial. The Srixon ZX range, for example, is a fantastic option for those who want confidence at address, strong performance on mishits and plenty of stopping power.

Before you buy, always consider a fitting. The numbers don’t lie, and a proper session can show you exactly which clubs suit your game. If you’re looking for tailored advice wherever you are, I offer online lessons through Skillest to help you make these decisions with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Don’t fall into the trap of mixing forgiving irons with unforgiving wedges. For most golfers, cavity back wedges in the scoring clubs can be a real game-changer. You’ll see more consistency, higher shots and better stopping power – all leading to lower scores and less frustration on the course.

Watch the Full YouTube Video

For a detailed look at how these clubs perform and more insights into wedge selection, watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-augUy5Bk4

The post Why Cavity Back Wedges Could Transform Your Short Game appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

One of the most common frustrations I hear is, "I'm getting older, so I must be losing distance." But what if I told you that age doesn't have to mean shorter drives? In fact, with the right approach to timing and technique, you can hit the ball further than ever, regardless of how many birthdays you've had.

The Real Secret: Timing and the Role of Hands and Arms

Most golfers assume that generating power is all about turning the body as hard as possible. But from my years of coaching, I see many players working hard with little to show for it. They swing with maximum effort, yet the results don't reflect all that energy. The missing piece is often timing, particularly how the hands and arms deliver speed into the club head.

A key mistake I see is the club face looking up to the sky through impact and pointing right of target at the ball. This open face leads to slices, weak shots and all sorts of compensation. Instead, focus less on the body turn and more on what your hands and arms are doing.

Drill: Toe Winning the Race

Let’s try something simple. Forget about turning your body for now. Make a little half backswing, and as you come through, imagine a race between the toe and heel of the club as they return to the ball. You want the toe to win. That means the club face is rotating correctly, closing through impact.

The sensation you’re after is the club face looking down behind you after you’ve hit the ball, not up to the sky. Start with these half swings, focusing on getting the toe to win. Not only will you hear a different sound at impact, but you’ll also see a stronger, more powerful ball flight.

Bring the Body Back In

Once you’ve mastered the feeling of the toe winning the race with your hands and arms, it’s time to add some body turn. Make a longer swing on the way back, turning your body as you would in a normal swing, but keep that feeling of the toe leading through impact.

The crucial part is to ensure your arms stay in front of your body as you turn through. If your arms lag too far behind, you’ll be forced to flip the club face or make awkward compensations. By keeping the arms in front and letting the body and arms work together, you’ll generate more power and consistency.

Why This Works For Every Club

This isn’t just a driver tip. The same principles apply to every club in the bag. Once you get the timing right with your hands, arms and body, you’ll see more distance and a better ball flight across your whole set. Plus, you can start to wave goodbye to that dreaded slice and perhaps even start to see a lovely little draw.

Age Is Just a Number – Your Best Golf Awaits

I know how it feels when the body doesn’t move quite like it used to. I’m turning 50 myself, but I’m still generating more speed with the right technique than I ever did grinding away with brute force. The focus should be on using the hands and forearms to generate speed and then learning to sync the body turn with that release, keeping the club face squaring up through impact.

Take Your Swing Further

If you’re frustrated by years of working on swing positions without seeing real change, you’re not alone. After over 30 years of coaching, I’ve helped thousands of golfers transform their game. For the first time, I’ve created my own Find Your Golf Swing Master Class, a series of 18 videos designed to help you control the club face, understand your swing path and deliver power that matches your body. You can find out more and get an early access code for extra savings at my YouTube channel.

If you’re looking for more tailored help, I offer online lessons through Skillest where we can analyse your swing and work together to unlock your best golf.

Ready to Start Hitting Further?

Age doesn’t have to mean less distance. By mastering the timing of your hands and arms, letting the toe of the club win the race and learning to turn your body without leaving your arms behind, you’ll see more power, a straighter ball flight and, most importantly, more enjoyment on the course.

Watch the Full YouTube Video Here

For a full walkthrough of these drills and concepts, watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkxCODQ0lmc

The post Unlock More Distance As You Get Older appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

If you’re like most golfers, the 3-wood can feel like a double-edged sword. We all dream of that perfect strike from the fairway, getting on the green in two on a par five, or splitting the fairway on a tough hole. Yet, far too often, the reality is a topped, fattened, or thinned shot that leaves you wondering if the club is more trouble than it’s worth.

Here’s the good news: a few tweaks to your setup, and a shift in your approach, can transform your 3-wood into one of your most reliable and rewarding clubs.

Rethinking Scoring Clubs: Why Fairway Woods Matter

We often hear that wedges are the true scoring clubs. While there’s truth in that, for many golfers—especially those who don’t hit the ball miles—it’s the fairway woods and hybrids that give you a shot at greens in regulation. These clubs are called on for approach shots time and time again, making them crucial to lower scores.

The Most Common 3-Wood Mistake

One of the worst habits I see with the 3-wood is the obsession with “sweeping” the ball away. The idea is that, because the club has less loft and a longer shaft, you should just brush the grass and let the club do the work. The problem is that this often leads to the club touching the ground behind the ball, meaning the lowest point of your swing is before impact. By the time the club reaches the ball, it’s already travelling upwards, which results in thins, tops, or sometimes missing the ball entirely.

The Setup Change That Makes All the Difference

To get the most out of your 3-wood, you need to adjust your setup:

• Ball Position: Don’t play the ball too far forward. Instead, position it about one club head forward of centre—still inside your lead heel.
• Hip Bump: At address, move your hips slightly towards the target. This creates a little shaft lean and encourages a downward strike.
• Weight Shift: Whether you stay more centred or shift slightly off the ball during your backswing, the key is to start moving towards the target by the time the club reaches waist height. This helps you get into your lead side and ensures the club is still travelling down at impact.

Treat It Like an Iron, Not a Driver

The concept is simple: when the ball is on the ground, swing your fairway woods like you would an iron. That means you want the club to bottom out just after the ball, with a descending blow. You’re not looking to take a big divot, but you do want to clip the turf after the ball. This guarantees solid contact and maximises distance.

If you find you’re still catching the ground too far behind, check that your weight isn’t hanging back and your ball position isn’t too far forward. If you’re struggling to generate speed, you might experiment with moving the ball slightly forward, but never so much that you lose that downward strike.

Why It Works on the Tee—But Not the Fairway

Many golfers can hit their 3-wood beautifully from a tee or a fluffy lie, but fall apart from the fairway. That’s because with the ball teed up, you can get away with a swing that bottoms out behind the ball. On a tight lie, you need the club travelling down, not up, at impact.

Make 3-Wood Your New Favourite

I used to struggle with the 3-wood as a youngster, and it kept me from reaching par fives in two. If I’d known then what I know now, it would have been a different story. The best players in the world might not take huge divots with their fairway woods, but they always touch the ground just after the ball. That’s the secret to both distance and consistency.

So next time you’re on the fairway, set up with the ball just forward of centre, hips nudged towards the target, and swing with the same intent as you would with an iron. You’ll quickly find your 3-wood becomes a true scoring club.

If you’re keen to really understand your own swing and unlock more distance and consistency, consider an online lesson with me. I can help you identify the tweaks you need to make your fairway woods a strength.

Watch the Full YouTube Video

For a full walkthrough and more visual guidance, watch the complete YouTube video here.

The post Make 3-Wood Your Favourite Club from the Fairway appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

Every now and then, golf throws up a tip that stands the test of time. One of the most underrated yet effective concepts comes straight from the great Ben Hogan: keeping the elbows and forearms working together throughout the swing. This principle simplifies your swing, helps the club stay in front of the body, and can transform the consistency of your ball striking.

Why Your Elbow Position Matters

It’s common to start with solid arm structure at address, but as the swing unfolds, many golfers lose that connection. The elbows drift apart, the club gets behind or ahead of the body, and suddenly you’re fighting a ‘chicken wing’ finish or inconsistent strikes. When your elbows work apart, it becomes much harder to deliver the club consistently, resulting in missed shots and frustration.

The Hogan Squeeze: How to Set Up

At address, take a moment to gently squeeze your elbows together. There’s no need to overdo it—just enough to feel that your forearms and elbows are working as a unit. This is the classic Hogan image, where it looks like a rope is binding his forearms together. The goal is to maintain this gentle squeeze throughout your backswing, downswing, and follow through, keeping your arms in front of your chest as much as possible.

The Drill: Half Swings for Lasting Results

Start by making half swings with this elbow squeeze in mind. Focus on:

• Squeezing the elbows gently together at address
• Maintaining that squeeze as you take the club back and through
• Only swinging as far as your mobility allows without losing that connection

You’ll likely notice you need to turn your body and hips more to keep the arms in front. This is a good thing—it encourages better body rotation and a more efficient swing.

If you feel restricted, don’t force a full swing. Instead, keep the swing shorter and controlled, maintaining the squeeze. Over time, this develops a simpler, more repeatable movement that delivers the club with a neutral path and solid speed.

Mobility Matters: Test Your Range

Not everyone will have the same shoulder mobility. Test your range by bringing your trail arm up to shoulder height and rotating it back as far as you can. If your forearm moves easily past your spine angle, you’ve got plenty of range. If not, don’t worry—just be mindful not to overstretch. Keep the swing at a length where you can maintain the elbow connection without standing up or letting the elbows separate.

Consistency Over Complexity

Working on this classic elbows and forearms drill has helped many golfers find a simpler, more reliable swing. It reduces the need for manipulation, keeps the path neutral, and often delivers surprising clubhead speed even from shorter swings. Remember, this isn’t about reinventing your swing overnight, but about building a movement that stands up under pressure.

If you’re looking to make real changes to your swing, I also offer detailed online lessons and swing analysis through Skillest. It’s a great way to get personalised feedback and work on these principles at your own pace, wherever you are in the world.

Try It for Yourself

Next time you practise, set up with your elbows gently squeezed together and focus on keeping that connection throughout your swing. Start with short swings and notice the difference in your strike, club path, and consistency. Sometimes, a return to fundamentals is all you need to start hitting your best shots again.

Watch the Full Lesson

If you’d like to see this concept in action and dive deeper, watch the full YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XLXdOC9W8

The post Unlock Simpler, More Consistent Golf Shots with This Classic Tip appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.

One of the biggest frustrations I see with golfers is not knowing if their practice is actually moving them forwards. We can all stand on the range hitting decent shots, but unless we know what to look for, we might be ingraining bad habits rather than improving. Feedback is essential if you want to get better, and thankfully, with technology in everyone’s pocket, there are now easy ways to get that feedback.

The Power of Swing Analysis Apps

Most of us have a smartphone these days, and there are some fantastic swing analysis apps out there. The right app can provide clear, user-friendly insights into your swing. For example, you can record your swing, see what the app highlights as strengths or weaknesses, and use that information to guide your practice.

What I particularly like about these apps is their simplicity. You can record your swing from down the line and get instant feedback on key areas such as posture, impact and movement patterns. The feedback isn’t just about what you’re doing, but also gives you a focus point for your next practice session.

Understanding Your Swing Feedback

When you get feedback, it’s important to remember that most of these apps will tell you what you’re doing, not necessarily how or why you’re doing it. For example, you might get a result that says you’re standing up through impact or your hips are moving closer to the ball (early extension). For me, this upward head movement at impact isn’t just about technique – sometimes it’s linked to physical factors like mobility or the ability to deep squat. If you, like me, struggle with ankle or calf mobility, it can be much harder to maintain perfect posture all the way through impact.

My advice here is not to get too caught up in trying to create the perfect looking swing. Golf isn’t about textbook style, it’s about function and repeatability. There are plenty of swings on tour that aren’t pretty, but they work. Focus on the one or two things highlighted by the feedback, and see if changes in those areas actually improve your ball flight or consistency.

Making Changes – What to Focus On

If your feedback points to a specific issue, like early extension, try simple feels in your practice. For example, feel as though your chest stays down and moves a bit closer to the ball as you start the downswing, while your hips move back. This can help maintain posture, but be aware it might change your ball flight in the short term. When I work hard on keeping my hips back, I sometimes find myself hooking the ball, as my hands take over in the swing. It’s a balancing act, and it’s important to monitor the results and not just chase positions.

Style Versus Function

Remember, video feedback shows style, not always function. Some swings might look odd but produce fantastic results, while others look textbook but don’t deliver consistency. As a coach, I always prioritise function first and style second. Use feedback to identify the cause of poor strikes or inconsistent results, not just to chase the perfect swing look.

Easy-to-Use Feedback is Key

What really matters is how easy it is for you to get and use feedback. The simpler the process, the more likely you are to stick with it and see improvement. Don’t worry if your swing doesn’t match the textbook. Focus on whether the shots are working and use the feedback to highlight just one or two areas to work on. If your only issue is head movement at impact but the ball is flying well, that might just be your characteristic, not a fault that needs fixing.

Want More Personalised Help?

If you’re looking for more tailored coaching and want feedback specifically for your swing, I offer online lessons here. Getting expert eyes on your swing can make a huge difference and help you filter the useful feedback from the noise.

Watch the Full YouTube Video

To see all the details and insights I cover on this topic, watch the full YouTube video here.

The post Using Feedback to Improve Your Golf Practice appeared first on Ali Taylor Golf.