Vertical push and speed drill

Straighten Your Lead Leg for Power

Sticks: 1

Config: Together

Focus: Full Swing

Drill Objective

This drill utilizes a single alignment stick placed at a 30-degree angle in the pathpal just outside the lead leg. The goal is to prevent the lead knee from collapsing inward towards the rod during the downswing and impact. Instead, the focus is on straightening the lead leg to create a powerful vertical push, moving the left hip back and away, which in turn helps reduce early extension and increase club head speed. Practice swings are recommended to ingrain the feel of pushing off the ground and away from the rod.

Set-Up

Place the pathpal on the ground just outside your lead leg (left leg for right-handed golfers, right leg for left-handed golfers)
Angle the pathpal at approximately 30 degrees relative to your lead leg. The top of the stick should point slightly away from you
Take your normal golf address position, ensuring the Path Pal is positioned correctly and doesn't interfere with your backswing

Instructions

Make several slow practice swings, focusing on the feeling of your lead leg straightening as you come through impact.
Concentrate on pushing your left hip back and away from the target.
Crucially, ensure your lead knee does not collapse into or touch the pathpal. The goal is to stay away from the rod.
Once you're comfortable with the feel from the practice swings, set up to hit a golf ball.
As you swing through impact, maintain the focus on straightening your lead leg and pushing your left hip back and away.
Actively avoid letting your lead knee move into or touch the pathpal.
Notice the sensation of vertical push and how it contributes to your swing.

Benefits

Reduce early extension

Club Speed

Cody Carter

Director of Player Development

Druid Hills Golf Club

2018-2026: Golf Digest Best Young Teachers in America
2022, 2024-2025: Golf Magazine Top Teachers to Watch
2024-2025: Golf Digest Best Teachers in State

""Countless how many applications you can use for it""

Jake Reeves Director of Instruction, Fox Den Country club

""Million different ways to use this to help your golf game. I'm really enjoying using it with my students and I hope you grab one and use it as well.""