A to B Program Training Guide

The A to B Drill Program – How to Train
(For the right-hand golfer)raining the B to A –

The Backswing
The 10 inch Drill (The Takeaway)
This drill is in 2 parts The Forward Press and The Takeaway
Part 1 – The Forward Press
Starting in the address position with the correct grip.
Push from the top of the right-hand lifeline against the left hand above the thumb
Checkpoint:
– the left hand/wrist flattens
– the right hand/wrist bends
– the wrists remain level and vertical
– the right elbow bends slightly down and close to the right side
– the hands move forward slightly on a path parallel to the target line to a point where they block out the sight of the left big toe
– the rights shoulder rocks down slightly
– the left shoulder rocks up slightly
– the shoulders remain parallel to the target line
– the left hip rotates anti-clockwise 10 to 15 degrees with the right hip being center of rotation
– the left leg straightens slightly
– the right leg remains bent and right knee stable
Part 2 – The Takeaway
Push the left hand back against the slight resistance of the right hand (handle leads the clubhead slightly) to move the club head straight back along the target line for about 10 inches to the point – where the club head is approximate level with the right foot. Ensure that the hands and hips move together.

Check that:
– the right/wrist hand moves from bent to flat
– the left hand/wrist moves from flat to bent
– the right leg remains flexed and the right knee stable
– the left leg bends outwards towards the left toes
– the hips rotate freely around the center of both hips.
– the wrists remain in a vertical alignment to the ground, while the hands trace a straight line back, parallel to the target line, while travelling from line of sight from front big toe to rear big toe (approximate 10 to 12 inches)
– the clubhead has moved back straight along the target line
– the club has not been lifted off the ground (it should glide across the top of the grass)
– the shoulders have rotated on as flat a plane as possible without the head moving up or back
– when drilling with the club place a coin on the ground as per the instructions in the A to B Drill program, and make sure you hit it
Start each repetition from the address position
Do 10 repetitions with the correct grip but without the club in hand
Do 10 repetitions with the club
If possible, video yourself from the front and down the line and check each of the positions.
Very Important:
Make sure you have this drill completely mastered before going on to the next section. This part of the swing is essential to get right. When you have reached a stage where you can effortlessly demonstrate each “Check Sheet point” with little to no thinking or concern for the outcome, you are ready to progress to the next area to duplicate.

The Back Sling Drill (Low Loading)
To be attempted after the 10-inch drill has been mastered.
Move the club back along the target line as per with the 10-inch drill and let the club flip up and back
Check points:
– the right forearm will have rotated 90 degrees from a vertical (right palm facing the target) alignment to a horizontal (right palm facing up) alignment.
– the right elbow will bend and be in front of the right hip, and closely connected to the ribcage
– the right elbow is pointing down and towards the ground
– right hand is bent back
– top of the right arm is compressed against the side of the upper body
– left hand will be slightly cupped (bent) and fully cocked
– club shaft is parallel to the target line and horizontal to the
– the hips have turned fully against the feet and knees
– shoulders have rotated on as flat a plane as possible without any lifting of the head and have rotated to the same degrees as the hips – approximately 40-45 degrees to the target line
– from a down the line position the toe of the clubhead will be pointing up

Do this drill from address position at least 3 sets of 10 times a day.
If possible, video yourself from the front and down the line and check each of the positions. Make sure you have this back sling mastered before going onto the next section.

Full Backswing Drill
To be practices after the back-sling drill has been mastered.
Complete the full shoulder turn as you wind up fully to hit the ball with force and power.
Check Points:
– full but comfortable shoulder turn (important not to over swing)
– shoulders are on as flat a swing plane as possible without lifting the head – the spine to maintain its posture angle from address to the end of the backswing
– the right elbow will be pointing to the ground
– the right upper arm will be compressed against the side of the chest
– at the top of the backswing the right hand will be bent back and be close to a ‘Holding a Tray” position
– the left wrist will be cupped and fully cocked
– the hands will remain in the center of the turned body (*this can be checked by comparing to the “push the right-hand bend drill”)

*When you reach the top of the backswing hold the position and turn your hips to the left so that the center of your body is facing the front. In this position your hand should be in the center of your body with the club shaft on about a 45-degree angle to ground.
Practice at least 3 reps of 10 times a day
Complete B to A Drill practice
Do each of the above drills in order
1. 10-inch Forward Press – Takeaway drill without the club (10 times)
2. 10-inch Forward Press – Takeaway drill with the club (10 time)
3. Low-loading Back-sling drill (10 times)
4. Complete Backswing drill (10 times)
Once you think you have mastered the complete backswing it is good time to take a hands-on and video lesson with an authorized A to B Drill Teacher.
Never under estimate the importance of getting into a solid reliable backswing position. You should aim to reach this position without thinking so that it can be incorporated into the rhythm of the swing.

Training the Left Hand and Arm Downswing – Part 1
Put a golf club or straight stick on the ground to guide you on the path towards the ball. To determine the direction of this “Hit Line” on the ground, go to the top of the backswing – Position “A” and drop a vertical line down from the clubhead to hit the ground – place the stick from this Point “A” on the ground connecting to the ball – Position “B”
Train the first part of the downswing where the ‘Thumbs Down’ action sets the clubhead on the direct downswing or down hit path.
From the top of the backswing, position A, move the left hand down the grip so that the club shaft is protruding approximately 6 inches past the heel pad of the left wrist.
The club and the arm drop down with the club shaft moving into line with the left forearm, until the protruding grip of the club hits the under-side of the left forearm. Train the first part of the downswing where the ‘Thumbs Down’ action sets the clubhead on the direct downswing or down hit path.
Checkpoints:
1. make sure the left shoulder stays stable and acts as the center of rotation for the left arm in the drill
2. that the club shaft is wedged under the heel pad of the left hand and the grip of the club protrudes 6 inches beyond the hand
3. ensure the club shaft moves into line with the left arm as the ‘Thumbs Down’ or “uncocking” of the hand occurs
4. make sure the clubhead is following the guide-stick on the ground
5. by the time the left hand is about level with the right foot the extended handle should have hit the left arm
6. when doing the left-hand release drill, the left hand will have fully uncocked at the end of Part 1
Practice part 1 of the drill 10 times

Training the Left Hand and Arm Downswing – Part 2
Once the club shaft moves into line with the left forearm, the last 3 fingers of the left-hand curl to rotate the clubface and release the club head down and out into and through the ball, position B.
Checkpoints:
1. make sure the left shoulder stays stable and acts as the center of rotation for the left arm in the drill
2. the club shaft remains fully in line with the left arm
3. the left-hand wrist remains full uncocked (thumbs down fully)
4. the left wrist has fully rotated anti-clockwise – last three fingers of the left hand locked-in on the grip of the club
5. the left elbow is turned in and pointing down towards the left hip
6. the left upper arm is connected securely against the upper chest
7. Note how the left shoulder tends to move up and back as you fully release the stick with the left hand
Practice part 2 x 10 times
Practice part 1 and 2 together 10 times
Note of care: Since the club can become quite heavy doing this drill, it is often advisable to practice using a light stick for repeated drilling at faster speed.
This all occurs in the actual throw from A to B.

Training the Right Hand and Arm Downswing
Put a golf club or straight stick on the ground to guide you on the path towards the ball. To determine the direction of this “Hit Line” on the ground, go to the top of the backswing – Position “A” and drop a vertical line down from the clubhead to hit the ground – place the stick from this Point “A” on the ground connecting to the ball – Position “B”

Position A at the top of the swing, has the right hand in front of the right shoulder, not behind, with the right wrist bent back at an angle.
Checkpoint: Duplicate this position of the right hand at the top of the backswing – repeat this positioning of the right hand 10 times
The right wrist remains bent all the way down throughout the drill.
Leaving the body turned back, the right hand comes down in a karate chop action with the edge of the hand going towards the ball.
Checkpoint: Duplicate this “karate chop” action to the point where the body stops the hand and arm from continuing – repeat this action 10 times
The right hand continues down and as it does it causes the left hip to turn and the left leg to straighten. Continuing down the right-hand karate chop action turns the shoulders and as it reaches the bottom the chest moves up as part of the release into follow through.
Checkpoint:
PART 1: Continue the “karate chop” action slowly and note how this right- hand action rotates the left hip and rocks the shoulders – stop this right hand down and out action when the shoulders are parallel to the target line.
Part 2: Continue this “karate chop” action deeper down and out toward the golf ball and note how the shoulders and chest continue to rotate up and through as you push down and out away from your head which remains up through this action

To reiterate as you continue through the shot it is important that the right wrist remains bent as the karate chop continues deep into the impact zone. It doesn’t flip over.
Checkpoint: Do this action slowly to start to maintain the “karate chop” action (no attempt at forward rotation of the right hand) and that the fingers continue to point down and out towards the golf ball, maintaining a “bent” right wrist.
The right hand/wrist should be bent from the top of the backswing all the way to impact position (and beyond)

This ensures that in the actual swing at the impact position the handle of the club would be forward of the ball to produce greater compression.
Once the right-hand movement is understood without a club in hand, practice the drill with a club held down the grip, or preferably with a light stick to master the correct right-hand action and the effect it has on the rest of the body.
Practice 10 times without the slick in hand
Practice 10 times with the slick in hand

When you are confident you understand and can do the left- and right-hand drills start the A to B Drill for Solid Compression

The A to B Drill for Solid Compression (page 12)
Put a golf club or straight stick on the ground to guide you on the path towards the ball. To determine the direction of this “Hit Line” on the ground, go to the top of the backswing – Position “A” and drop a vertical line down from the clubhead to hit the ground – place the stick from this Point “A” on the ground connecting to the ball – Position “B”
This is a drill to make the A to B hit really penetrate deep into the golf ball.
To start the drill, it is important that you are in a good position A. Until you master the takeaway and backswing there is a great checkpoint drill you can use to help get yourself into a solid position A at the top of the backswing, from which you can easily practice the down hit A to B. It is called the “Push the Right Hand Bent” Drill.
With a good grip and stance push the right hand bent straight up in front of the body with the club at about a 45-degree angle as demonstrated in the picture. Note that when you push out in front of you, you are limited with how far up you can move the hands, arms, and club – therefore you cannot over swing.
Practice in front of a mirror to make sure the hands are in the center of the body.
Checkpoint: Do the “Push the Right-Hand Bent Drill” slowly a minimum of 10 times making sure:
• the hands move vertically up in front of the spine
• the left arm remains straight
• the left forearm rotates clockwise 75 degrees
• the left wrist bends and cocks while you push positively against the grip of the club with the left-hand heel pad
• the right-hand pushes positively against the left upper thumb and thumb pad area with the middle two fingers of the right hand pushing back against the front side of the grip of the club
• the right forearm rotates 25 degrees clockwise
• the right wrist bends back to a comfortable limit
• the right elbow bends in and down
• the right upper arm pushes securely against the upper side of the chest
Then turn the hips. and shoulders and you will arrive at what would be a good position A at the top of the backswing.
Checkpoints: Do the combination of “Push the Right-Hand Bent and Body Rotation Drill” slowly a minimum of 10 times making sure you:

• rotate the hips and shoulders as if in a barrel approximately 45 degrees
• the right knee remains flexed
• the right hip turns and sinks a little to load the right leg and foot
• the left knee bends out towards the left big toe
• the shoulders rotate in balance and as level as possible with lifting the head or changing the spine angle
• rotate the shoulders a further 45 degrees as you push the hands back and around to a comfortable limit
• be aware of the stretch of the arms and coil of the body at the top of the backswing – Position “A”
A to B
From the top of the backswing – Position A, move the hands down the grip 6 inches so that when you hit down the club head stays above the ball and the grip end of the club will move into line and hit underneath the left forearm.
In this drill the intention is not to swing through to a full swing. It is hit down from the top and stop above the ball as though you are trying to drive the ball into the ground. Since you are down the grip you will finish above the ball.
Do two half hit downswings 1…2… (very slowly) and then a full hit downswing on. .3. On 3 you go deep down towards the ball with a solid action. Don’t go too hard but go at it at a reasonable pace to get a positive feeling of what A to B really is.
Checkpoints:
• rotate as if in a barrel and stay centered
• feel a “set at the top” backswing position
• in the first two downswing rehearsals maintain a fully rotated backswing body position (do not turn forward)
• in the first two rehearsals make the “A to B” downswing motions with the wrists and arms very slow and deliberate
• the right upper arm hits against the side of the body as the right arm straightens and the club shaft moves into line with the left arm
• On the third “A to B” downswing motion, make it more dynamic and fire the clubhead directly down and out at the ball on the ground – at the end of the downswing the clubhead is pointing at the ball and the clubface is pointing “toe down” – “toe first” at the ball
Do Part 1 of the Drill 10 times slowly.
Do part 1 & 2 Full Drill 10 times quicker but without strain.
Checkpoints:
– ensure the left arm and club shaft are inline after ‘Thumbs Down’ or uncocking of the hand occurs
– make sure the clubhead is following guide stick on the ground
– in Part 1, by the time the hands are opposite the right foot the extended handle should have hit the left arm – under the forearm
– ensure you are turning the last 3 fingers of the left hand when doing the full drill, as per the left-hand release drill (page 14)
– try to finish above the ball but as though you are driving the ball into the ground
– the left leg should be straight at the end of the drill
– the feet should be evenly balanced on the ground
– both arms are straight at what would be the impact position

Follow Through (page 18)
The deeper you go into the ball “A to B”, the momentum and the release continues, and the body will follow through with the club fully extended until the arms fold to bring the club up and over the left shoulder. When you stay as long as possible in the shot (Position “B”) with the hands staying low you get the best release of your body. This gives you great balance and also takes strain off the body, especially the back. Always keep the left hand rotating anti-clockwise over post impact (anti-clockwise rotation). Don’t quit and push the club out to the right of the target line and don’t attempt to go down the target line.

You should always try to stay on top of the ball as long as possible before continuing on through the follow through and finish of the shot.
The last 3 fingers of the left hand cause the left hand to rotate anticlockwise to a palm facing almost up well into follow through. This is a continuous pushing action that helps maintain structure and body rotation well into follow through and finish.

To drill this in it is a good idea and to practice this in slow motion.
Perform the down hit in slow motion and ensure at the end of the “Impact Zone” that left wrist is fully uncocked and slightly arched and the right hand bent back. In turn make sure post impact that you continue rotating the left hand with the last 3 fingers of the left hand rotating anti-clockwise.
Continue the follow through to the moment when both arms will fold at the end of the follow through and the Finish of the golf swing happens
Checkpoints:
• the left hand maintains ‘thumbs down” uncocking for as long as possible
• the left hand continues rotating anti-clockwise
• the right hand maintains the fully uncocked “thumbs down” action as long as possible
• the right hand remains bent all the way through the follow through to finish
• the club shaft is in line with the left arm for as long as possible
• the right shoulder moves up to balance through post impact
• the finish is in a balanced position with your weight balanced on the left foot
• the right foot releases up onto the inside of the big toe
• the right knee moves up and in close to the left knee

Practice a minimum of 10 times slowly until you can do each of the checkpoints effortlessly

When you feel you have mastered the follow through, incorporate it into a Slow Swing Drill for the full swing.
At this stage it is a good idea to take another “hands on” or “video” lesson from an “A to B Drill Program” authorized Teacher/Coach.
You should also start hitting balls at the practice range. Concentrate at first on technique to gain control before attempting to hit the ball harder for power.

The Butterfly Drill (page 31)
The Butterfly Drill is a great drill to do anytime or anywhere as you don’t need a club to do it. Done correctly though, it provides invaluable practice in developing and reinforcing what you have learnt. Do this drill in sets of 3 x 5 repetitions once a day and your swing will benefit greatly.
When you swing the club properly it has an ‘open door – closed door’ motion. It’s a bit like a tennis swing but on an incline.
The Butterfly Drill will assist you to learn this naturally and demonstrates how the hands are the source of motion in the swing.
The Butterfly Drill also highlights the importance of “pushing” on the #1 Pressure points of both left and right hand and how the slight variations in the direction of “push’ on these Pressure Points effects the arms, hips, shoulders, knees, and feet. Educated hands gets a great assist with this drill.
The Drill
Checkpoints:
1. Put your hands together and push the upper life line of the right hand against the side of the left thumb.
2. The hands are open like butterfly wings and pushed together with both wrists in a shake hands (vertical) position to start.
3. Take your stance with the hands opposite the belt buckle.
4. Pushing the hands against each other and slightly downward, you will feel your arms extend slightly and the upper arms connect securely to the upper chest.
5. From here when you “press” the hands forward or backward, there is movement of the arms, body, hips and shoulders in unison.
6. Starting with the forward press, push the right hand against the left
7. The left leg straightens slightly, and the left hip turn anti-clockwise 10 to 15 degrees
8. followed by the left hand pushing back against the right to instigate the takeaway
9. Push from the heel pad of the right hand and rotate the left-hand thumb into the right-hand lifeline.
10. Pushing both the left and right hands bent, feel the right elbow bend and tuck in front of the right hip – The left hand ’push” brings structure to the left arm and the right hand “push bent” action plus the clockwise rotation of the wrists and forearms causes the right elbow to fold inward and point towards the right hip as both arms swing back and up.
11. The backswing to the top follows as you continue to “push” back and up – Position A.
12. Then pushing ‘thumbs down’ along the A to B line, ‘karate chop’ with the side of the right hand down deep towards the ball.
13. In reaching the low point away from your head while maintaining the “karate chop” deep towards the golf ball, feel how first the hip rotates full anti-clockwise and next the shoulders and chest follow. There is never an attempt to rotate the right wrist “impact zone”- it is the left hand and wrist that rotate anti-clockwise through the “impact zone” and
14. Continue to rotate into “follow-through.” Both arms remain extended all the way through “follow-through”
15. The right wrist remains bent back throughout this entire motion, while
16. The left hand “pushes’ flat to slightly arched.
17. By continuing the “push” of right hand against left and left hand back against right, the arms remain closely connected to the shoulders and the elbows compress towards each other
18. The follow through blends into the finish as the pivot of the body reaches it completion and the elbows begin to fold and the hands and arms fire over the left shoulder and the hands and arms recoil to finish close to the left hip.
The Butterfly Drill will give you a great feeling of connection from start to finish and helps build the feel of “push” and what “educated hands” is all about.
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