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DRILL OVERVIEW
Ball Striking Coin Drill: Practise Ball-First Contact
Your drill at a glance
This drill is from the Golf Practice Made Fun App.
A coin just beyond the ball gives you a simple contact checkpoint. Make a small swing, strike the ball first and brush the coin forwards to feel where your club meets the ground.
Step 1. Watch the coin drill
Watch how the coin sits on the target side of the ball. Notice the short swing and the club moving through the ball towards the coin.
Step 2. Strike the ball, then brush the coin
Set the coin beyond the ball
Take your normal address with a short iron. Place a coin flat on the grass just beyond the ball towards your target, as shown in the setup image. Rest the clubhead behind the ball. Keep the ball in its normal position for the club you’re using.
Swing through the ball and coin
Make a short, controlled swing. Aim to strike the ball first, then brush the coin forwards as the club continues through. The coin gives you a target for contact after the ball. Reset the ball and coin before your next shot.
Let your weight move onto your lead leg and finish in balance. Keep the effort gentle; you’re practising contact rather than distance.
Your cue: “Ball first. Coin next.”
| Watch for | Try this |
|---|---|
| Hitting the ground before the ball | Make the swing smaller and focus on reaching the ball before brushing the coin. |
| Trying to scoop the ball upwards | Let the club’s loft lift the ball while the club continues towards the coin. |
| Putting the coin too far away | Bring it back to just beyond the ball so a short swing can reach both. |
Use a clear outdoor practice area and keep people away from the path of the ball and coin. For an indoor, ball-free version, use a suitable practice mat, imagine a ball and brush the mat just beyond that point. Leave the loose coin aside indoors and record rehearsals completed instead of a contact score.
Step 3. Complete your round
What to do
| Score | When to award it |
|---|---|
| 1 point | You strike the ball before the ground, then brush the coin forwards. |
| 0 points | The attempt does not meet that rule. |
George’s Conclusion
Give your club somewhere to go after the ball. Keep the swing short, use the coin as feedback and notice which swings produce the clearest contact. A round of 18 gives you a simple score to compare next time.
Continue with the Ball Outside Left Foot Drill or Hit Hold Check Drill.
MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT
Pick a card. Practise with purpose.
