Vertical takeaway drill

Improve Short Game Contact and Spin

Sticks: 1

Config: Together

Focus: Short game

Drill Objective

This drill uses the pathpal to enforce a vertical swing plane on the takeaway, preventing the club from getting "stuck" behind the body and promoting consistent ball-first contact with higher spin on short game shots.

Set-Up

Prepare Your pathpal: Take one piece of your pathpal.
Set the Angle: Adjust the pathpal to a 75-degree angle. Jacob says that while you can go down to 65 degrees, 75 degrees is ideal for this drill.
Position the pathpal: Place the pathpal on the ground directly in line with your target, slightly outside your lead foot or the ball. It should stand upright and be angled away from you (towards the target).
Ball Position: Position the golf ball so that your club can swing just outside the pathpal on your takeaway without hitting it.
Maintain Stability: Ensure you are not shifting your weight back or tilting backward during your setup. The goal is to maintain a stable, centered position.

Instructions

Vertical Takeaway: As you begin your backswing, focus on immediately getting the clubhead to move up and out, staying just outside the pathpal. The pathpal provides instant feedback if your club goes too far inside or "flat."
Keep Club in Front: Throughout the backswing, consciously strive to keep the clubhead out in front of your hands and body. This prevents the club from getting "stuck" behind you.
Hit Down: Embrace the feeling of coming down on top of the golf ball to achieve ball-first contact. This steep angle of attack is crucial for generating friction and spin.
No Weight Shift/Tilt Back: During the swing, be mindful not to shift your weight excessively to your trail side or tilt your body backward. Maintain a stable lead side.
Analyze Feedback: If you "nick" the pathpal, it means your club is getting too far behind you. Use this immediate feedback to adjust your takeaway.