Unleash Bombs and Crush Your Drives with Center-Face Contact | EJS Golf Academy | Coach Erik
Introduction: The Importance of Center-Face Contact
The ability to consistently hit the center of the driver face is a distinguishing factor between various levels of golfers. While professionals and low-handicap players have mastered this skill through years of practice and a deep understanding of their own golf swing, mid to high-handicap golfers often struggle with this fundamental aspect. The reasons for this difference between elite golfers and the average golfer can be many but I look at it from a point of poor technique and a misguided mental picture of the golf swing and what they are trying to do. Understanding and addressing these issues is crucial for any golfer looking to improve their game.
Reasons for Not Hitting the Center of the Driver Face
Inconsistent Setup: The setup is the cornerstone of any golf swing. A misaligned stance, improper grip, or inconsistent ball position can throw off the entire kinetic chain that leads to a well-struck shot. These inconsistencies in the setup phase can result in a lack of control over the clubface, leading to off-center hits. It is so analogous to thee foundation of a house. Without a good foundation you can not expect what is above it to be solid.
Poor Weight Transfer: Effective weight transfer is crucial for generating power and maintaining control over the clubface. Inconsistent or inadequate weight transfer can result in a loss of balance, making it difficult to maintain a square clubface at the point of impact. This often manifests as hits that are off the center of the clubface.
Swing Path Issues: The path that the club takes during the swing has a direct impact on where the ball will end up. An outside-in or inside-out swing path can cause the clubface to make contact with the ball away from the center, leading to slices or hooks. Correcting the swing path is essential for consistent center-face contact.
Wrist Hinge and Release Timing: The timing of the wrist hinge and release is a subtle yet critical aspect of the golf swing. Incorrect timing can lead to an open or closed clubface at the point of impact. This not only affects the direction of the shot but also the point of contact on the clubface.
Lack of Focus and Mental Errors: The mental aspect of golf is often underestimated. A lapse in concentration can disrupt the fine motor skills required for a precise and controlled swing. This can result in off-center hits, even if the mechanical aspects of the swing are sound.
Equipment Mismatch: The importance of using equipment that complements your swing cannot be overstated. Clubs that are too long, too short, or not suited for your swing speed can make it challenging to consistently hit the center of the face. A proper club fitting is essential for optimal performance.
Physical Limitations: Physical constraints such as lack of flexibility, muscle imbalances, or even minor injuries can significantly affect the quality of your swing. These limitations can make it difficult to maintain the correct posture and swing mechanics, leading to off-center hits.
The Consequences of
Missing the center of the driver face has a profound impact on the quality of the shot. One of the key metrics affected is the 'smash factor,' which is a measure of the efficiency of the strike. A less efficient, off-center hit will produce a lower smash factor, leading to reduced ball speed and distance. Additionally, the design elements of the driver, such as roll and bulge, are optimized for center-face hits. Off-center hits can lead to 'gear effect,' where the ball spins off-axis, causing it to curve more than intended. This can result in slices or hooks that are difficult to control, thereby affecting the golfer's ability to hit fairways and ultimately lowering their scoring potential.
Top 10 Drills for Center-Face Contact
Tee Drill: This drill involves placing a tee in the ground and attempting to hit it without a ball. The objective is to focus on a smaller target, thereby improving precision. Over time, this drill can significantly enhance your ability to make center-face contact. It's a fundamental exercise that hones your focus and hand-eye coordination. To take this drill to the next level, put another tee in front of the one you are aiming for. Since we need to, for most of us, hit up on the golf ball to maximize distance, might as well practice for this by clearing the 2nd tee. Clip the first tee and miss the 2nd.
Impact Bag Drill: Using an impact bag allows you to practice your swing without the distraction of ball flight. This drill helps you understand the feel of a square impact and aids in developing muscle memory for a consistent, centered strike. Hit the spot on the bag with a very light swing. This is more for learning to hit a spot than the drills I have put out for irons using the Impact Bag.
Alignment Stick Drill: Place an alignment stick in the ground at an angle that mimics your desired swing path. Practice your swing along this path. This drill is excellent for ingraining a consistent swing path, which is crucial for hitting the center of the clubface. The visual and physical cues from the stick serve as constant reminders. Any type of visual clue is going to help us focus in.
Foot Spray Test: Spraying the clubface with foot spray provides immediate feedback on your point of impact. This drill is invaluable for identifying patterns in your contact points, allowing you to make precise adjustments to your swing mechanics. It's a quick and effective way to diagnose issues in real-time. Pick up some Dr. Scholl's foot spray and throw it in your golf bag.
Gate Drill: Place two tees in the ground, forming a 'gate' that is slightly wider than the club head. The objective is to swing the club through the gate without hitting the tees. This drill helps refine your swing path and encourages center-face contact by providing immediate feedback. Start with a gap of about an inch and a half on each side and then bring it in.
One of my favorites is to swing to the top of your swing, stop, then swing back to the golf ball as slow as you can until the club face is behind the golf ball. You will typically see the miss that you are used to seeing. Practice this over and over to ingrain the feel to help you move on.
Ball Position Drill: Experiment with different ball positions in your stance to find the optimal spot for center-face contact. This drill helps you understand how ball position affects your impact point, allowing you to make informed adjustments during actual play. Most golfers are surprised by how a little adjustment can really change things.
Lead Arm Only Swings: Practice swings using only your lead arm to hold the club. This drill emphasizes the importance of the lead arm in controlling the clubface and encourages a more efficient swing path. I am a big believer that our dominant hand is at the core of many of our issues by overusing it. Not that we need to be passive, no, we just need to use our hands properly.
Air Swings: Practice swinging the golf club about a foot off of the ground to round out your golf swing. Most issues I see with the driver come from, at the core, steep golf swings. Get the club head behind your hands at P6.
Variable Speed Swings: Practice your swings at different speeds to understand how tempo affects your point of impact. Learn to hit the golf ball swinging at half speed, or by hitting it half of your normal distance. If you can't hit the center of the face by going slow, don't expect to do it at full speed.
Success Story: The 15-Minute Plan and the Journey to 270 Yards
One of my students at EJS Golf Academy was initially grappling with a significant issue: his drives were averaging around a mere 240 yards due to consistent off-center hits. After conducting a meticulous biomechanical analysis, I identified several key areas for improvement. I put together a manageable 15-minute-per-day practice plan, full of specific, feedback-driven drills.
The drills selected for this student were chosen to target his specific weaknesses. Among these were the "Tee Drill" for honing focus and hand-eye coordination, the "Impact Bag Drill" for understanding the feel of a square impact, and the "Alignment Stick Drill" to correct his swing path. Each morning, he would perform 25 slow-motion swings focusing on one or two of these drills, constantly analyzing his form and making adjustments based on the feedback. You see, with feedback there is never any guessing. He would repeat the same feedback driven drills each evening. making sure that the newly acquired motor patterns were being ingrained his mind so that he would
What set this student apart was his commitment to the practice plan. Even on days when he didn't feel well, he adhered to my warning about the importance of daily practice for achieving ultimate success. On such days, he would still spend at least two minutes performing slow-motion swings, ensuring that he did not miss a single day of practice. This level of dedication is rare, but it's also the key to unlocking significant improvements in one's game. Remember, I am only asking for 15 minutes of your day to get you to become the golfer that you want to become.
Within weeks, the results were nothing short of astounding. His average drive distance soared from 240 yards to an impressive 270 yards in the air. But it wasn't just the increase in distance that was remarkable; it was the consistency with which he was now hitting the center of the driver face. This transformation serves as another example of the efficacy of a feedback-driven approach to practice. We focused on the PROCESS and NOT results.
This success story is a vivid illustration of how a scientific, analytical approach to golf instruction can yield dramatic results. It underscores the value of daily, focused practice, even if it's just for 15 minutes, and validates the methods we employ at EJS Golf Academy.
For those who are committed to elevating their golf skills, I invite you to reach out to me, Coach Erik Schjolberg, the No. 1 rated golf coach in Scottsdale, AZ. At EJS Golf Academy, I offer Scottsdale Golf Lessons and Online Golf Lessons tailored to your specific needs. With just 15 minutes of targeted practice per day, you can achieve remarkable improvements in your game. Learn more about my coaching philosophy and methods at EJS Golf About.