Its Your Turn

Most recreational golfers think the pros are playing a completely different game and that they struggle with totally different mistakes. Of course, touring pros are more advanced than weekend golfers in terms of technique and ability level, but believe it or not, there are some problems that almost all golfers struggle with from time to time. It's just the nature of the game._Ê I've been playing golf on a professional level for more than 15 years. Through my experience, I've learned a thing or two about the golf swing and can say with confidence that a rotational swing with a focus on the upper body is superior to one that features a lot of lower-body action. Here's what I work on to execute this simpler, more consistent (and less stressful) motion.

Like the majority of players who are over the age of 35, I learned the swing as a kid with the technique of the day. As such, I've always had a fair amount of lateral movement through the hitting zone. For all golfers, particularly those of us who make our living playing the game, consistency is critical to shooting decent scores, and I came to the conclusion some time ago that in order to improve my scores, and my consistency, I needed to develop a more rotational motion that had less slide and more turn.

To take some of the lateral slide out of my swing and develop a more rotational move, I started working with the following simple drill that I recommend to anyone who wants to develop a more powerful pivot. After warming up a bit, I take a mid-iron and place it across my chest, with my hands crossed over in an X position. I assume my address position, being sure to keep an ample amount of flex in my knees, and bend from my waist so my chest is over the hitting area. I then make several swings in a row, concentrating on maintaining my spine angle and turning my left hip in a counter clockwise direction so my chest and belt buckle wind up facing the target. I also make sure not to let my left hip get outside my left shoulder. After I've completed a few rotations, I simply take the club off my chest and grip in a normal way, repeating the same drill, but this time actually hitting the ball. I'll go back and forth between the drill and hitting shots until I feel the same sensation during both. Try it and you'll be surprised how quickly your turn and your ballstriking will improve.

Tools Of The Trade TaylorMade Tour professional Michael Allen makes full use of the company's fine line of equipment, including one of the most popular drivers, the r7 quad. For shots from the fairways, Allen plays rac TP irons, 3-9, a V Steel 3-wood, a 19-degree Rescue Dual and a Rossa Monza long putter. The forged TPs are joined by four other rac irons—HT, OS, LT and CGB—to form the most extensive iron line in the game.

PGA Tour player Michael Allen has been playing professional golf since 1989. Currently he ranks 51st in the driving distance category with a 290-yard average._Ê