Proper Weight Shift

Question
Hi John, My name is Mark and I have a question about the proper weight shift during the swing.  I am a 8 handicap and lately have developed the nasty tendency to sway to the right on my backswing.  When I come down my hands are then trying to catch up with my shift back to the ball and sometimes pass my body causing a bad hook.  I play a draw naturally.

I have had good success on the range with the drill where you stand on a ball with the outside of my right foot which restricts my ability to shift and I hit it great almost everytime.  My problem and also my question is how do I repeat that feeling without the ball and on the course?  Besides repetition, do you have any other drills or tips to help me get that feeling without the ball under my foot?  

Thanks for your help in advance.  Mark

Answer
Mark,

I do have two other drills to practice to eliminate swaying off the ball. The first is to hit balls with your feet together. Keep the feet as close together as possible. This will allow you to focus on the upper body doing 100 of the work and your legs will only be supports for the swing. If your lower body moves, you will lose your balance.

The second drill is to place a beach ball (slightly larger than a basketball) between you knees and hit balls. Make sure the beach ball doesn't fall out during the swing. Same principal as the drill above. It will force your legs to be braces for the swing (both the back swing and the downswing)which is what they're supposed to do.  

The thought that I have when I play is to keep the right knee inside the right foot during the back swing. When I do this, it eliminates any possibility for swaying.

Good luck and thanks for the question.

Michael Hoffman