Annika Sorenstam’s 3 simple keys to hitting more fairways

Golf instruction is always changing, but the best advice is timeless. In Endless Tipswe highlight the greatest advice teachers and players have dished out in the pages of GOLF Magazine. Today we’re looking back at our June 2003 issue where Annika Sorenstam shared her secrets to precision without a title. For unlimited access to GOLF Magazine’s digital archive, join Inside GOLF today; you’ll enjoy $140 worth for just $39.99 per year.

A few years ago when I interviewed Annika Sorenstam, she said something that stuck with me: “I never get tired of hitting the fairways.” Smart logic.

In the bomb-and-gouge era, the art of precision on the tee has lost its luster. But that doesn’t mean hitting the fairways isn’t important. Playing on short grass will not always easier than hacking without difficulty. That’s why it’s important to learn how to handle the driver in a way that ensures you keep your ball on the fairway.

Sorenstam was very good at this. During his career, he was ranked among the top 20 hitters eight times. Pair that with his photography skills and you have the makings of one of the greatest heroes of all time. No wonder he is the most decorated LPGA star of the modern era.

During his prime, back in 2003, Sorenstam sat down with him GOLF Magazine to share some of his secrets. Among them were some of his keys to pinpoint accuracy off the tee. Check them out below.

Annika’s driving keys for precision

Everyone wants to know how I plan to compete with men when my average drive is only 265 yards. My answer: by keeping the ball on the short grass. Accuracy off the tee is one of my biggest strengths. Last year, I hit more than 80 percent of the fairways on the LPGA Tour (which would have placed second on the PGA Tour). If I do that in Colony, I think I will do very well.

Most newbies should consider thinking this way. I bet they’ll score much lower if they hit fairways, instead of increasing distance, which is more important to them. Even if your drive is long, you can’t expect to hit many greens from the rough or behind the trees. Finding the fairway starts with hitting the ball hard, then being able to control where it goes. This is my Colonial plan.

Below are my three keys to hitting hard, straight drives: one for backswing, one for squaring the clubface, and the third for tempo. Give them a try, along with a few bonus points I’ve included on how to consistently get the best.

1. Focus on the waist of the trail

Another reason I can hit more fairways is that my hips stay centered in my backswing. I simply turn my upper body over my right leg, with my hips. The smooth tempo allows for this; when I swing fast, my right hip tends to go up backwards, dropping my left shoulder. This is totally challenging for me.

If my tempo is fast, I think about bringing my shoulders back to a higher level, as if I were setting up the wings of an airplane. This encourages my right hip to rotate, rather than lift. Since my right hip is fully rotated, I can turn the big shoulder up.

Try this: As you swing the club back, imagine turning your hips inside an imaginary cylinder the width of your stance; don’t let your right hip slide past your right foot. To train my hips to move in this fashion, I sometimes practice with an umbrella stuck in the ground just outside my right foot. The goal is to turn my right hip without colliding with the umbrella. If my hip moves, it will hit the umbrella.

2. Follow the ball

My head does not stay down after the impact; follows the ball. That’s not just idiosyncrasy. As I swing, I turn my head with my body, releasing both targets simultaneously.

This head swivel may look unusual, but it’s very effective – some call it my signature move. For one, it helps me release the clubhead more with my arms and body, so I don’t have to rely so much on the timing of my hands to hit the clubface. Second, it shifts my focus from the ball to the target, so all the power of my swing is directed where I want to hit the ball. After impact, it feels like the club, my body, and even my head are chasing the ball.

Try this: I used to do reverse C, so my swing coach, Henri Reis, suggested this exercise. To encourage my weight to shift to the left on the downswing, he told me to hit the balls with my head toward the target before impact. It worked so well to finish my reverse C, I made it part of my regular swing.

Try it yourself, especially if your weight tends to slide back and you make inconsistent contact. Hit the wedges, letting your eyes look forward instead of trying to keep your head down. You’ll feel more flexible on your left side and square the face for more accurate shots.

3. Pick up your tempo

My friend, Terry McNamara, tells me to “thumbs up” whenever he sees my fitness level. Ona scale of 1 to 10, a six is ​​my speed limit for my driver. On top of that, I’m also starting to lose control.

Find a swing tempo with your driver that allows you to swing in control. Swipe more than six if you like, as long as you can keep your balance. You should finish with your weight on the outside of your front foot and your back foot on its toes. Do not exceed your balance limit; if you do, you will lose accuracy. To start with balance, distribute your weight evenly on the balls of your feet. You want to feel stable in all directions – front, back, left, and right. Then, as Terry reminds me, just “thumbs up.”

Try this: If you finish with balance, with your body in a straight line over your front foot, you are more likely to have good balance during the swing. And a balanced swing gives you the best chance to connect with the square. The next time you play, rate your finishing position from 1 to 10 on each drive — 1 for a fall and 10 for good balance. This exercise will get you thinking about your bottom line and balance, which will keep you on track.