Using your noodle to develop a good golf swing

One of the best golf swing teaching tools to use is a swimming noodle.  Primarily it can be used to help evaluate swing path or plane.  One of the biggest errors players make is an "over the top" move.  Simply put, this happens when the trail shoulder goes out and the right arm goes over the ball promoting a steep glancing hit which leads to a severe slice or dead pull. 

By placing the noodle with its natural curve on the outside of the ball at address you can practice swinging inside the noodle.  If you hit the noodle on the way down you came over the top (note: there are usually some weight transfer issues as well in an over the top swing).  Using the noodle outside the ball position will also help fix a take-away that is too outside and disconnected.

If your take away is too far inside you can put the noodle inside the ball position.  By taking practice swings or hitting balls with the noodle in this position you will know if you hit the noodle on the backswing you have taken the club too far inside.

Lastly to get the right take away put the noodle behind the ball.  In your take away you should push the noodle straight back and not flip it to the right or left.

Try these drills next time you have a chance to practice your swing.  Just like last weeks tip this drill can be performed with your shadow swing without striking a golf ball.

These tips are provided by swing professional Paul Meyer. For more details and information on tips to improve your game stop by your local Golf Etc Hudson store.