Golf Tips » February 2002: How to swing at 90%

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’ thoughts."

Most amateurs know that 105% feeling, but here is a way to develop that Ernie Els or Freddie Couples "syrupy" swing.

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 in order to teach yourself the control you will need later.

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. See how easy that swing feels!

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 having to change anything major in your swing.

One of the other benefits of this 90% swing is that if you are between clubs, you can always go down one club and swing a little harder to get the desired distance. 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.