Four exercises with feedback for each session
Just telling yourself, “Stop overswinging,” isn’t enough to stop doing it. Jean-Baptiste Gonnet, a player on the European Tour, suggests four exercises that immediately correct the mistake. He’s been doing them for years, both at the driving range and on a mat at home.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
To make progress, you need exercises that involve an immediate response. The first one: a glove under the armpit. On a topspin shot, the arm moves too quickly and the connection is lost: the glove falls off. It must stay in place or fall off well after impact. Jean-Baptiste Gonnet says he saw Tiger Woods do this on the driving range at the 2017 Dubai Desert Classic. Second: a Pilates ball wedged between my forearms. If the left arm bends during the follow-through (the “chicken wing”) or if you stand up by pulling your arms back, the ball drops. It’s hard at first: small clubs and half-swinges. He learned this from his longtime coach, Roger Damiano.
Third: an elastic band Attached under the front foot and held against the grip. It forces you to really rotate during the backswing instead of lifting with your arms; hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds, then swing without it. Fourth: a rod tilted above the plane, on a support placed one step behind you and offset by one shoe’s width. Gradually lower the club down toward the club’s centerline, as seen from the side. As you lower it, you must stay below it: if you go over it, you’ll touch it. Always start slowly, with small clubs.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Gant: Tuck it under your armpit, hit a few short clubs, then work your way up to the driver without letting it fall before impact.
- Ball: Place a Pilates ball between your forearms and perform slow half-swings with a small club.
- Elastic band: Secure it under your front foot, hold it against the grip, and twist your way up until you feel tension in your back.
- Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds, remove the resistance band, and swing using the same rotation.
- Wand: Place the wand stand one step behind you, offset by one shoe length, with the wand tilted above your work surface.
- Lower it gradually until it aligns with the club's axis when viewed from the side, and swing as you pass underneath it.
- Gradually bring her closer over time, always starting slowly.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Hitting balls without any drills or feedback on mistakes.
- Losing the grip on the arm at the start of the downswing: the glove falls off.
- Bend your arm as you cross, or pull yourself up using your arms.
- Take the backswing using only your arms, without turning.
- Place the bat too close right away and swing hard.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- One or two exercises per session, at the driving range or on a mat
- Short clubs and half-swings to start with
- Jump rope without a ball, 10 to 15 seconds at the top
- The rod was gradually moved closer over the course of several weeks
Your Questions
Where should the glove placed under the armpit land?
Ideally, it doesn't fall, or if it does, it falls well after the impact. If it falls early in the downswing, Jean-Baptiste Gonnet sees it as a sign of a par-dessus.
What kind of ball should you use between your forearms?
He uses a Pilates ball, which can be inflated or deflated depending on the desired sensation. At first, it's difficult: half-swing and small clubs.
Should you hit balls with the rubber band?
No. You tense up at the top of the backswing, hold it for 10 to 15 seconds, then remove the elastic band and swing while focusing on the sensation of rotation.
How do you adjust the strip above the countertop?
At first, place the support one step behind you, offset by the width of a shoe. Then move it back until, when viewed from the side, it is in line with the club, and gradually bring it closer over time.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jean-Baptiste Gonnet). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.