One of the most common distance robbing swing faults is the casting move where the hands and club head start the downswing with the club head moving away from your head.  This is a movement that closely replicates that of casting a fishing pole, hence the name for it.

This can cause many faults, ranging from ball contact to distance, direction and the dreaded slice!

The cause can be very misleading… even this article as only mentioned the hands and the club head, however, the body has as much, if not more to do with the casting than the hands!  In order to move properly, the club must be supported by the body.  If the body is out of position, the club will begin to flop around without the support of being connected to your core.  A great golf swing will always have trademark body positions that allow the club to move into the desired positions.

We will need a wall or a tree to help you get a sense of the feelings necessary for this drill.  Please begin by standing right in front of the wall, with your trail foot about 12″ from the wall.  Take the club up to your position at the top and try to make a downswing without hitting the wall.  You’ll see very clearly that this is very difficult.  The key here is to use your body to create more space between the wall and your hips.  Try again from the top, but this time, begin by pushing off your trail foot before bringing the club down.  Create that extra space and you’ll be able to make that downswing without hitting the wall.