Five Easy Drills to Improve your Ball-striking with Debbie Doniger

Episode Title: 5 Easy Drills to Improve your Ball-striking with Debbie Doniger

Episode summary introduction: Debbie Doniger is a Golf Magazine Top 100 Golf Instructor, a SiriusXM Radio Host, one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Women Instructors, and Golf Digest Best in State (Top 5) in New York Teacher. She joins On the Mark to share some of the online video content she has been producing – 5 Drills to Better Ball-striking.

The drills she explains touch on the following important golf swing elements:

Swing Path, Clubhead Speed, Angle of Attack and Low-point control, Aim and Alignment and Pre-Shot Routines.

Introduction with Mark Immelman:

The 2020 Wyndham Championship! What a story! Jim Herman came in here with missed cuts, played badly in the PGA last week. All of a sudden finds a little something, starts making a few putts and WINS the tournament.

Jim Herman (not a direct quote) says to Amanda Balionis: “In Golf anything is possible, you’ve just got to keep a good attitude and make good putts.”

It’s really the recipe for it all…likely to change at any time.

If you are in a slump right now, I want to embolden you to say ….it is just going to take one shot, one smart decision, one putt that rims in, anything that can turn your tide. Don’t belabor the point of play, keep a good attitude. Focus on your putting. A lot of people start focusing on their ball strike when things go a little ary. Golf is a game of recovery. A game of conversion. If you drive the ball well you will have the leg up in competition but in the final analysis it is about putting a score on a scorecard.

Jim Herman is living proof that it can turn at any time.

Practice Philosophy by Mark Immelman: 

I am a firm believer in productive, purpose filled practice. Not just bashing balls blindly, thoughtlessly, aimlessly. Have a plan, have a goal to achieve. And doing DRILLS! If you are trying to learn a new motor pattern a drill is a great way to help you get there quicker. To galvanize the feel of what is necessary. Drills are a great way of helping you to the place where you can feel it.

Debbie Doniger has some sensational drills for you!

Introduction of Debbie Doniger

[Timestamp: 5:00]  Debbie Doniger introduces herself, tells about the start to her golf career, and the many people who influenced her career as a golfer.

Thoughts on Junior Golf 

[Timestamp: 8:20]
Junior golf is booming and quite competitive. Debbie shares her thoughts on how parents can step in at the right times to aid their child’s competitive edge. Instill the love. Push. Find an excellent teacher with an excellent record.

Easy Drills to Improve your Ball-striking with Debbie Doniger

[Timestamp: 12:11]

• Go to Simple Drills for more solid and consistent ball-striking  for video instruction from Debbie
• Drill #1: Swing Path Fix/ Swing Direction 
• Drill #2: Arm and Hand Speed/ Club head speed and club face appropriation 
  • [Timestamp: 15:16]
  • The faster your arms and hands swing (if your grip is on properly) the better your body will move and rotate through the swing.
  • Beginner/Intermediate drill
  • How good are you with your arms and hands?
  • Drill 2, part2: Left foot forward version [Timestamp: 17:00]

• Drill #3: Angle of Attack and Low-point control 
  • [Timestamp: 20:36]
  • Bunker work
  • Working on Impact
  • How hands and arms should work when you are in a bunker
  • Great visual/biofeedback

• • Variation [Timestamp: 22:47]:  Use a lie board (standard at most golf courses)
    • Place a sticker on the bottom of the club and see where the mark is on the sticker

• • • • Back of club = not good for impact
      • Want more toward leading edge
      • +: sound and visual with sticker

• Drill #4: Driver Tip /Aim and Alignment 
  • Perfect Driver Setup
  • [Timestamp: 24:25]

• Follow Debbie on Instagram: @deborahdoniger  or on Twitter: @debbiedoniger
• Wrap-up with Mark 
  • [Timestamp: 33:30]
  •  Practice with a purpose is crucial. It is one thing to go out there and hit golf balls and another to go out there and make your work count.  Your time is valuable. You want to shoot lower. Be careful of practicing on autopilot. Autopilot is dangerous. Do something that is going to help you learn that way you are supposed to. Drills are the way to do that! Make the practice count.

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