The Father

Before: Johnson's club used to "cross" or point to right of the target at the top of his swing. In an effort to gain more distance, he focused too much on making a big turn on the backswing and forgot about the club's position. From here, Johnson had to reroute the club on the way down just to have any chance of hitting the ball solidly.

After: I told Johnson that swinging a club "on-plane" is as important as making a big turn on the backswing when you're looking for more distance. Johnson's club is now parallel to the target line at the top. He now swings more effectively without having to waste his energy in redirecting the club on the downswing.

The Son

Before: Justin used to swing the club too much inside on the takeaway. His lower body "swayed" or moved excessively to the right. At the top of his swing, his left arm was almost horizontal. From this position, Justin drove his legs back towards the target, causing the club to approach the ball from an extremely shallow angle. The result was either a severe push or a "snap" hook.

After: Justin's club is now higher - above the right shoulder. His legs are also less active. From this new position, the club can now approach the ball on a steeper, more descending angle. Justin has also learned to rely more on his body rotation and less on the hands to square the club through impact. His shots still curve from right to left, but the pushed shots are now a thing of the past.

4-Step Drill

Here's a great exercise for building a sound top-of-the-swing position, and consequently a good downswing. Address the ball like you normally would. Then, without changing the angle of your body, lift the club up by hinging the wrists until the shaft touches your right shoulder. Turn your torso until your back faces the target, making sure that the shoulders stay perpendicular to your spine. Finally, extend your arms. Voila… the perfect backswing!