Golf Drills, the Throwing Sequence

“You swing your best when you have the fewest things to think about”. - Bobby Jones

Bobby Jones

Throwing a ball is something we do not give much thought to. Many have played baseball, softball, cricket, throwing a ball in the backyard, or skipped a flat stone across the pond. Throwing a ball is often natural for us. These movements seem instinctive and happen all at once, in no particular order. Think about it, think about the sequence you need to throw a ball.

The sequence of throwing a ball:

This is the sequence for throwing the ball as far as you can:

• Your feet are about shoulder width apart, your knees slightly flexed.

• You wind up getting ready to throw.

• Your trail shoulder and arms draw back.

• Your weight shifts onto the back foot.

• Your trail arm is at an angle, your elbow cocked towards the ground.

• Your trail wrist is also fully cupped.

• Your knees and hips push forward.

• Causing you to have a U shape in your trailside.

• In the process, your weight shifts onto the front foot.

• Your torso rotates and your chest faces the target.

• In turn, your rotating torso launches your throwing arm forward.

• And sets your cocked elbow and forearm to slingshot.

• Knees, hips, weight transfer, torso rotation, and throwing arm.

• Release the slingshot by uncocking the elbow and finally the release of the bowed wrist and the ball.

The throwing of the ball, all of it happens instinctively, naturally, and seemingly in one movement. When you understand the elements of throwing a ball, you can improve your action to throw the ball a good distance.

There are elements of throwing that apply to the golf swing. How you wind up to get the golf club in a position at the top of the swing so it can release the slingshot is open to pages and pages of debate. What is common to however you get into position at the top is sequence.

I wish I had the analytical mind, or someone point out to me that there is a sequence to everything. The grip and how you address the ball will help you wind the slingshot up. You do not grip the ball tight; you hold it in your fingers so the slingshot can happen with speed and power. Keep practicing throwing the ball and remember the elements involved.