The Inside Approach For Solid and Straight Shots

Pam LeBlanc
LPGA Class “A” Teaching Professional

Purpose: To correct slices, pulls and topped shots.

Tip:(1) Focus your eyes on the bottom inside of the golf ball (striking the ball at the bottom of 5 o’clock position on the ball). So, think about impacting the lower inside of the golf ball for an inside approach to the ball thus producing a more solid impact. This will help with mastering step two.

(2) The path of the club as it strikes the ball is very important to dictating the direction of the shot and the overall shape the ball will travel. The inside-out swing is preferable to the outside-in swing. Why? An inside-out or through the ball path is nearly slice-proof, enables a potential draw spin and transfers more energy to the golf ball; creating more power. Also, this path will prevent the topped ball shots. Unfortunately, the vast majority of amateur golfers swing outside-to-in; sometimes referred to as over-the-top. The outside-in swing is generally caused by either overuse of the arms in relation to the body rotation, or a failing to transfer weight properly.

Take posture and extend your target arm out in front of you. Place club right on the base of the target side arm.

Toss some balls underhanded. (Now when tossing the ball really try firing the lower body forward). Keeping your target arm straight and holding the club like a cane will help you to feel your trailing arm coming more from inside and your shoulders following your lower body on the downswing. When you are practicing this really feel like your arms are going past your shoulders on the follow through. So, then when you go to swing; just try carrying over that feeling and there your path is going to be from the inside.

Again, feel your trail shoulder coming from underneath, not out and over when tossing the ball under the target arm. It’s working under and through and you will start correcting the path to an inside and through motion.

Why this drill? Three big reasons (1) it will get you feeling the inside and downward swing (2) so, that the upper body doesn’t outrace the lower body and (3) helps to train the shoulders; keeping them square to the target and not letting them get to open.

It takes time, practice and a basic understanding of the swing mechanics to master the inside approach.