Lesson of the Week: Peter Slaven- Trying to Change an Overly In to Out Path

Peter is an excellent player (scratch handicap) I see 3 or 4 times a year when either I visit Chicago, or he comes down to Florida to stay with his Dad and get out of the Chicago winter. Pete tends to hit the ball high with a draw, and his problem shot is one that over hooks to the left. We have worked on improving his sequence and using ground forces more effectively, and in these swings his transition move is leaving his head too far back to the right and slowing down his lower body clearing. The first thought is to clear and cover and think of the ball starting more left with a fade feeling, and that certainly made a difference as far as the approach path and angle of attack. His head was still hanging back too much so I gave him the image of David Duval turning his head to see the target before striking the ball in an effort to have him consciously move forward and open his upper body, which usually corresponds to the lower body opening more directly as well. I also stuck a long shaft in the ground to force his release to move more around to the left, and the combination produced an improved approach and release.