Payne Stewart was one of the best shooters of his generation.
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Welcome to Play Smart, GOLF.com’s regular game improvement column that will help you become a smarter, better golfer.
Payne Stewart was one of the best pitchers of his generation. This is especially clear when you look at his resume that includes 11 PGA Tour victories and three major titles.
If it weren’t for the horrific plane crash that took Stewart’s life in 1999, those numbers would certainly be higher. But while Stewart may not let us know, we can learn from his rock-solid turn.
In the video below, filmed during Stewart’s reign, the three-time champion reveals a common mistake he sees in many golfers’ swings — and a great way to fix it. Check it out and it might improve your own game.
Stewart’s tip for hitting the ball
Failure to properly shift weight during the backswing is a swing error that many recreational players struggle with. Either they don’t shift their weight at all, or, in an attempt to make a big turn, they “pivot back” and leave themselves in a bad position at the top of the backswing.
“It’s a proper weight shift from right to left,” Stewart said.
Just this week, we’ve covered a good feel for landing in the right position at the top of the backswing. In the video above, Stewart gives us a simple feel for getting that weight out of the swing.
Once at the top of the swing, you must transfer your weight (and power) through the ball to hit a solid shot. A good way to teach yourself to do this is to exaggerate the feeling.
When making a change in range, take a step with your trail foot in your direction after impact. It will feel awkward at first, and you may not make good contact with the ball, but if you do this, it is impossible to leave your weight on the back side.
If you struggle to transfer your weight when going down, do this exercise.
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