Golf Impact Bag Drill: Henry Cotton Formula

Golf Impact Bag Drill: Henry Cotton’s Secret To Gain Power

I added the Golf Impact Bag Drill to the Golf Practice Planner today because it’s an oldie but a goodie.

This drill is similar to the Henry Cotton Tire Drill. If you can get your hands on an old tire and put it in your garden, it’ll be one of the best decisions you ever make for your golf game.

I’ve been doing the Golf Impact Drill since I was a kid. It’s one of my go-to evergreen drills that never gets old. It’s a good technical drill, good for building strength in the hands and arms, and most importantly is a great way to vent frustration. If you’ve ever hit a punching bag in the gym, you’ll know what I’m talking about. And you can do it from the comfort of your living room on a rainy day. 

What else will this drill do for you?

It will help you feel the correct transition and impact motions in the golf swing. The impact is a point in the golf swing that occurs between the downswing and the follow-through. Talk to any self-respecting teaching pro and they’ll say that “impact” is the most important part of the game.

“A good impact position makes up for any amount of supposed swing errors on the backswing and downswing!”

Think Jim Furyk.

He’s supposedly got the ugliest swing in golf, but he’s one of the best players that has ever lived and has shot a 58, which is the lowest score in professional golf. He has a great impact position, and that’s all the matters to the golf ball.

Gary McCord once said:

“There are two types of people out there (PGA Tour). Guys that hit shots – the great shot makers. And then there are the guys that can play – the scorers. And the scorers are going to beat those guys all the time.” – Gary McCord

All scorers understand the importance of impact!

If you like the idea of an old-school, low-tech practice drill that can help lower your scores, you’re going to love this one.

Name
Golf Impact Bag Drill

Category
Long Game Practice Drills

Difficulty
3 out of 10

Time
10 minutes

Props
Golf impact bag. Golf Practice Planner.

Steps

Step 1: Watch
Watch the video.

Step 2: Hit The Bag 
Get an impact bag. An impact bag provides just enough resistance so that you can freeze the impact position, but can make an athletic motion leading into it.

Part I: Make small waist-height arm-only backswings and hit the bag getting into the correct impact position (grip of the club 6 inches ahead of the clubface, both feet still on the ground, downward pressure onto the grip).

Part II: Continue making the waist-height backswings, but now include a little bit of body motion. Feel hips and core getting involved in the motion to add power which will cause the bag to move when you hit it.

Part III: Keep adding more power which will move the bag further.

Part IV: Do full backswings. On the downswing lead with the hands to bring them into the delivery slot, and then let the body fire fully into the impact position.

Step 3: Keep Score
After completing the drill, hit 10 balls. Give yourself one point for each shot that would make Sir Henry Cotton proud.