Here are a few exercises that you can do in the garden over the winter to prepare you for when you are back on the course.

With cold and wet weather causing course closures, Women & Golf thought we would share a few golf swing exercises that you can do in the garden to prepare you for when you are back on the course.

With Katie Dawkins, Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach.

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Set yourself up where you can see your reflection. The reflective surface should be adjacent to your right hip for right-handers. Set up as though you are about to hit a shot.

When you are comfortable, peek at your reflection and make improvements if necessary while looking at yourself. Your weight should be settled on the balls of your feet as if ready to return a serve in tennis.

You should also be tipped over from the hips and not stooped from the waist. You are looking for angles here so no slouching!

TWO TEE ATTACK

Many people suffer from poor weight transfer. Imagine throwing a ball for a dog and not transferring your weight. If you are just using your arms when you swing, this two tee drill will really highlight it.

To get your body involved in the shot, place two tees a clubhead apart. Set up to the back tee and hit them both. You will miss the front one if you are not getting your weight through the ball properly. By clicking both tee pegs you will start to feel weight shifting onto your front foot.

If you are still ‘scooping’, you will miss the second tee. Make it tougher for yourself by placing the tees about 6-8” apart.

UPSIDE DOWN AND SWISH IT ALL ABOUT

Hold a thick garden cane or your driver upside down. Holding it like a golf club, slowly begin to make swings. As you swing through to your photo finish, the swishing noise should be happening through the impact zone.

If it happens from the top of your swing, or if it is a low drone, you are losing power and there is a good chance you are casting the club. This means that you throw the angle your wrists create (along with power) away at the top of the swing, rather than holding onto it until just before you make contact with the ball.

With this drill you receive feedback – the noise equals power – so go on and make some noise!

PHOTO FINISH

Practise your finish position by swishing the grass or a tee peg. Practising your finish position will help to make you aware of how you finish your swing. Begin at address and simply move your club (and body weight) through to your ideal finish position, balanced on your front foot and facing your imaginary target.

Original article April 2020.

For more from PGA Professional Katie Dawkins - follow on Instagram @katiedawkinsgolf