U.S. Women’s Open contender Maja Stark dialed in her swing early in the week at Erin Hills using a simple practice tweak.
Joe Hallett / USGA
HARTFORD, Wis. — Making a swing change is never comfortable. It feels foreign to move your body in new ways, and breaking swing habits is a serious chore anywhere, let alone on the practice range at Erin Hills ahead of the U.S. Women’s Open.
But even on the practice range at the U.S. Women’s Open, changes can be necessary. Our swings are always evolving and bad habits are sure to emerge. That’s why it’s crucial to continue monitoring your swing and conducting swing maintenance.
This week at the U.S. Women’s Open, that truism was on full display. Player after player lined the range at Erin Hills in the hopes of tweaking their swing into major championship-winning form. One such player trying to dial in her swing was Maja Stark — and she was doing so using a simple method that all golfers can learn from.
Use an alignment stick as an external cue
Stark is off to an early lead at the U.S. Women’s Open, but that doesn’t mean she’s been completely dialed throughout the week. In fact, just yesterday, she could be spotted on the range making last-minute adjustments to get everything in championship form.
To start this process, she placed an alignment stick on the ground a few feet in front of her golf ball. Then, as opposed to working on a new “feel” or technique shift, she used the alignment stick to serve as her desired start line for her swings.
“You see players at the highest level searching for things in their swing,” her coach, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Joe Hallet, said. “Sometimes, instead of looking at something mechanical, it’s important to focus on something external, such as your start line.”
By focusing on the start line instead of mechanics, instincts take over and you’re able to swing freely. And without your mind in the way, it becomes much easier to make solid swings consistently. As an added bonus, you’ll have a consistent target in mind throughout your practice, improving your aim and alignment.
“When you do this, you’ll be surprised that even your bad shots end up a little bit better,” Hallet said.
If you’re struggling with poor shots on the range, give this method a try.
