How to swing with 90% power.

February 1, 2002

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any type of golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Monthly Golf Tips by the Mel Sole Golf School.

This month's tip was a request from Howard Rowland of Woodbridge, VA, who asks: "I'd appreciate some tips on how to feel the 90% swing effort. I've experienced the 'blood under the fingernails' 105% swing' but not the 90% swing.

Most amateurs know that 105% feeling, but here is a way to develop that Ernie Els or Annika Sorenstam's "syrupy" swing.

The 1st Step.

Warm-up at the range first. Then start hitting an 8 iron at flat out 100% swing and mark down the yardage. Using my 8 iron as an example, I hit it 160 yards at 100%.

Now divide that by 2, and start hitting that same 8 iron to your new yardage. This now becomes your 50% swing - in my case, 80yards. It is important to practice this swing to teach yourself the control you will need later.

The 2nd Step.

Now set a new target at 75% of your distance, in my case 120 yards, and practice hitting this shot consistently to that target. This is now your 75% swing. If the ball goes too far, swing easier. If the ball does not go far enough, swing harder. Every shot is an adjustment on the previous shot until you get it. See how easy that swing feels!

The Final Step.

Finally, 90% of 160 yards is 144 yards, and this is now the swing I will use on the course. I know it is very macho to hit the 8 iron 160 yards, but I can assure you that your ball striking and accuracy will improve vastly without changing anything major in your swing.

One of the other benefits of this 90% swing is that you can always go down one club and swing a little harder to get the desired distance if you are between clubs. This gives you many more options on the course.

If your iron shots are finding their target more often, you may want to do this drill with your driver to start hitting more fairways as well.

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thank you for reading - How to swing with 90% power. You have just become a much more consistent golfer!

Monthly Golf Tips by the Mel Sole Golf School.

The 1st Step.

The 2nd Step.

The Final Step.

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