Circle of Fun

Circle of Fun

Greetings Golfers,

Years ago one of my sons got into golf. He’d played high school baseball, so he could make a decent golf swing. But, he needed to learn how to hit different shots … so he needed to learn how to make different swings. A draw swing doesn’t look like a fade swing. I’m talking about controlled shots … not shots that hook or slice because of uncontrolled club-faces.

So … I showed him the “Circle of Fun”. I think he thought the name was funny … but he definitely did not find the concept amusing. Like most people, he was more into the perfect swing than a bunch of “crazy” swings.

Was helping a friend last week with his swing. His upper body was moving left and dipping as he moved into contact … causing fat shots and pulls.

So, I got him to swing out right of his target … and finish high. The body reacts to the swing. Trying to get him to stop moving left and dipping doesn’t solve the problem. When he would swing-out and finish high … he didn’t move left and dip … because he couldn’t!

Let’s go back to “Circle of Fun”. Picture that you’re at the range with a 7 iron. You’re standing on the left edge of an imaginary circle … right in the middle of the left side of the circle. The ball is on the right edge of the circle … right in the middle of the right side of the circle. Your feet are square, the club face is square, and your hands are just slightly in front of the ball. You are set-up to hit a straight shot.

Now, move the ball 6 inches down the right side of the circle. And, move your feet 6 inches up the left side of the circle. By doing this, your hands should be more in front of the ball, the club-face should have closed, and your shoulders should have closed. You are now ready to hit a draw. Just swing.

Let’s go the other way. Start at the beginning - the square set-up. Now move the ball 6 inches forward up the right side of the circle. And move your feet 6 inches down the left side of the circle. By doing this, your hands should be slightly behind the ball, the club-face should have opened, and your shoulders should open. You are now ready to hit a fade. Just swing.

You can keep moving up and down the circle in this manner and hit more severe draws and fades.

This drill will also fix you when you get out of whack.

Obviously you can hit variations of these draws and fades. For high shots - finish higher. For low shots - finish lower. Take control of your golf swing. You can do this. People think that shot-making is sophisticated. It’s not. It’s basic.

Yesterday was the 4th of July. A day for celebrating freedom. You can’t be free if you want people to control your life. We all need to take control of our own life.

Trying to play golf like a robot is as misguided as wanting to be a controlled robot in an unfree society.

Use “Circle of Fun” and take control of your golf game … and your life.

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com