Many golfers struggle with slices, blocks and inconsistent contact without realizing that the real problem is often the clubface, not how to swing.
If the clubface is in a bad position during the downswing, golfers are forced to make last-second compensations to square it up before impact. Sometimes those compensations work, but they can also lead to inconsistencies and poor hitting of the ball.
One of the interesting things observed in the research of elite players is how quickly many of them start to close the clubface during the transition. In fact, some of the best players in the world do this move within the first few inches of the descent. The challenge is that doing so requires great skill, awareness and time.
For most recreational golfers, I prefer the easy way, which you can watch in the video below.
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How to fix your clubface
One of my favorite drills is using a short club, like a wedge. Hold the club normally with your lead hand, and place your thumb on the toe of the clubhead. As you make a slow transition, feel your lead hand twist the grip while your trailing thumb provides light resistance.
The goal is not to close the clubface painfully. Instead, the drill helps with awareness of how the clubface moves during the downswing.
As golfers develop this skill, they begin to understand that controlling the clubface is largely a timing equation. For a right-handed golfer, if the face closes early, the ball tends to start left. If it closes too late, the face stays open and the ball starts well.
By developing awareness and learning to square the face early, golfers often find that they can swing more freely, hit the ball harder and eliminate more compensations leading to more consistent shots.
Sometimes better golf starts with a better understanding of what the clubface is doing rather than making swing changes. So if you’re struggling with your swing, check what your clubface is doing on the way down. If you get it right, you’ll start communicating better in no time.
