Annika Sorenstam’s 3 Simple Buttons to Hit More Fairways

Golf instruction is constantly evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. exist eternal secretwe’ve highlighted some of the greatest advice from teachers and players in the pages of Golf Magazine. Today we’re looking back at the June 2003 issue, where Annika Sorenstam shares her secrets to staying accurate off the tee. For unlimited access to the complete Golf Magazine digital archive, join golf interior Today; you can get a $140 discount for just $39.99 per year.

When I interviewed Annika Sorenstam a few years ago, she said something that stuck with me: “I never get tired of hitting the fairway.” Smart logic.

In the age of bombs and chisels, the art of hitting the tee shot has lost its luster. But that’s not to say hitting the fairway isn’t important. Hitting the ball from short grass always Easier than cracking it out of trouble. That’s why you have to learn how to use your driver in a way that ensures you keep the ball in the fairway.

Sorenstam excels here. During her career, she finished in the top 20 in driving accuracy eight times. Add to that her legendary shooting ability and you have the makings of one of the greatest players of all time. No wonder she is the most decorated LPGA star of the modern era.

In 2003, during her heyday, Sorenstam &. golf magazine Share some of her secrets. Included are some of her keys to achieving pinpoint accuracy off the tee. Check it out below.

Annika’s Driving Accuracy Key

Everyone wanted to know how I was going to compete against the men when my average driving distance was only 265 yards. My answer: keep the ball in the short rough. Driving accuracy is one of my biggest strengths. Last year, I hit over 80% of my fairways on the LPGA Tour (which ranked second on the PGA Tour). If I did that in the colony, I think I would do well.

Most amateurs should consider thinking this way. I bet if they made hitting the fairway instead of maximizing distance their top priority, their scores would be significantly lower. Even if your tee shot is long, you can’t expect to hit many greens from the rough or behind trees. Finding the fairway starts with hitting the ball solidly, and then you can control where the ball goes. This is my plan for the colony.

Here are my three keys to hitting a consistent straight shot: one is the backswing, one is getting the clubface square, and the third is rhythm. Give them a try, plus I’ve included some bonus points on how to consistently get the best results.

1. Pay attention to the tail buttocks

One of the reasons I’m able to hit so many fairways is that my hips stay centered in the backswing. I just use my hips to turn my upper body onto my right leg. A smooth rhythm allows for this; when I swing too fast, my right hip tends to pull up on the backswing, causing my left shoulder to sag. This threw the whole process out of whack for me.

As my tempo gets faster, I think about rolling my shoulders back to level, like I’m stabilizing the wings of an airplane. This encourages my right hip to rotate rather than lift. When my right hip is fully rotated, I can rotate my shoulders significantly toward the top.

Try this: As you swing back, imagine rotating your hips inside an imaginary cylinder that is the same width as your stance; don’t let your right hip slide past your right foot. To train my hips to move this way, I sometimes practice by inserting an umbrella into the ground on the outside of my right foot. The goal was to rotate my right hip without hitting the umbrella. If I wiggled my hips even a little, I would hit the umbrella.

2. Follow the ball

My head doesn’t drop after impact; it follows the ball. This is not just a trait. When I swing, I use my body to turn my head while simultaneously releasing both onto the target.

This head spin may look unusual, but it’s incredibly effective—some call it my signature move. For one, it helps me release the clubhead more with my arms and body so I don’t have to rely so much on the timing of my hands to adjust the clubface. Second, it shifts my focus from the ball to the target, so all of my swing energy is directed toward where I want to hit the ball. After I hit the ball, it felt like the club, my body, and even my head were all chasing the ball.

Try this: My previous swing was a reverse C, so my swing coach Henri Reis suggested this drill. To encourage my weight to shift to the left on the downswing, he had me turn my head toward the target before impact. Getting rid of my reverse C worked so well that I made it part of my normal swing.

Try it yourself, especially if your weight tends to drop back at impact and your contact is inconsistent. Hit some wedges and keep your eyes looking forward instead of trying to look down. You’ll feel better moving to the left and adjusting your face for a straighter shot.

3. Adjust the rhythm

My caddy, Terry McNamara, would tell me to “swing for six” whenever he saw my pace pick up. On a scale of 1 to 10, my speed limit for drivers is 6. Any more and I start to lose control.

Find a swing rhythm for your driver that allows you to control your swing. If you want, you can swing harder than six times as long as you maintain your balance. Finally, you should place your weight on the outside of your front foot and your back foot on your toes. Don’t exceed your balance threshold; if you do, you’ll lose accuracy. To maintain balance, distribute your weight evenly on the balls of your feet. You want it to feel stable in every direction—front, back, left, right. Then, as Terry reminded me, just “swing six.”

Try this: If you keep your balance so that your body is in line with your front foot, you will likely maintain good balance during the swing. A balanced swing gives you the best chance of hitting the ball straight. The next time you compete, rate the final position of each shot on a scale of 1 to 10—a score of 1 means a fall and a score of 10 means perfect balance. This drill will get you thinking about your finish and balance, which will ultimately keep you on the fairway.