Matsuyama Gained 6 Strokes From Tee To Green In His Mind-Blowing Final Round At The Genesis Invitational... This Simple Ball-Striking Drill Will Help You Flush It Like Hideki
The newly-crowned Genesis Invitational winner was sensational from tee to green at Riviera. Below, Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Andrew Reynolds reveals a simple drill to help improve your ball-striking
Hideki Matsuyama stormed to victory at the 2024 Genesis Invitational, and it's easy to see why when you drill down into the stats. The nine-time PGA Tour winner gained over 6 strokes on the field from tee to green in a final round 62, and hit over 66 percent of greens in regulation over the week.
In what will surely be one of the rounds of the year, Matsuyama gained a staggering 8.47 strokes on the field, more than doubling the combined strokes gained score of both runner-up finishers Zalatoris (1.47) and List (2.47) in the final round.
After watching his tee to green masterclass, you might be thinking... how can I improve my ball-striking? Well, wonder no more, as we asked Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Andrew Reynolds to share a simple ball-striking tip that can help you flush it like Hideki...
Better Ball-Striking Drill
"Often, the difference between a good swing and a bad one is nothing more technical than your rhythm. Finding the right tempo will help the sequencing of your swing as a whole, and this drill will give you a great feel for what the right speed is for you," says Reynolds.
"Take nine balls and split them into three piles. For the first three shots, hit the balls as hard as you can and keep a rough note of where they go. For the next three shots, swing the club as smoothly as you can. Finally, hit the last three balls taking ten percent off your smooth swing."
"You will notice some trends in terms of the ball flight. It might be that your flat-out swing hits the ball a bit to the right (you might well be able to use that knowledge to your advantage on the course). Of course, what you will also notice is which swing speed delivers the straightest flight, and that’s the one you need to stick to on the course."
Andrew's Ball Striking Drill Checklist
1) Focus on tempo to improve your sequencing
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
2) Split the drill into three sections, using three sets of three balls, varying your swing speed in each
3) Make a note of the ball flight for each swing speed
4) Decide which swing speed delivers the straightest flight and use that on the course
The Golf Monthly archive is a gold mine of brilliant reads, documenting a journey through the history of golf dating back to our first issue in 1911. Take advantage of over 100 years of invaluable tips from the best tour professionals and coaches in world golf, by subscribing to the online Golf Monthly Archive.
Barry Plummer is our Staff Writer, joining in January 2024 after seven years as a PE Teacher. He now writes about instruction, working closely with Golf Monthly's Top 50 Coaches to provide hints and tips about all aspects of the game. As someone who came into golf at a later age, Barry is very passionate about supporting the growth of the game and creating opportunities for everyone to access it. A member at Sand Moor Golf Club in Leeds, he looks forward to getting out on the course at least once a week and making up for lost time in the pursuit of a respectable handicap.
Barry is currently playing:
Driver: Ping G425
Hybrid: TaylorMade Stealth 4 Hybrid
Irons: Mizuno JPX 921 4-PW
Wedges: TaylorMade RAC 60, Callaway Jaws MD5 54
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
-
The CJ Cup Byron Nelson Final Round Tee Times
Canada's Taylor Pendrith leads a tightly-bunched field by one heading into the final round of The CJ Cup Byron Nelson
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Adrian Otaegui Reigns Supreme At A Dramatic 54-Hole Event In The Far East (But It Wasn't LIV Golf Singapore)
The Spaniard triumphed at Hidden Grace Golf Club by a single shot after the third round was cancelled because of heavy rain
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
5 Expert Short Game Tips From One Of The Top Players On The PGA Tour
Struggling around the greens? Sahith Theegala shares 5 top short game tips to help you become a wizard with the wedge...
By Garrett Johnston Published
-
5 Expert Putting Drills From A Four-Time DP World Tour Winner
Learn how to putt like a champion and make more birdies with these 5 expert putting drills...
By Michael Weston Published
-
5 Putting Tips From The Best Putter On The PGA Tour
Putting is one of the hardest areas of the game to master, and it has a huge impact on your scoring, so why not learn from one of the best in the business...
By Garrett Johnston Published
-
Improve Your Irons Shots In Golf With 10 Expert Tips From A PGA Advanced Professional
Do you want to become a better iron player? These 10 expert tips will improve your ball striking and help you find more greens in regulation...
By Jo Taylor Published
-
This Easy To Spot Mistake Might Be Killing Power In Your Golf Swing...
Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Gary Munro shares some simple tips to improve your ball striking by addressing one aspect of your golf swing...
By Gary Munro Published
-
Want To Become A Better Golfer? Collin Morikawa’s 5 Tips To Shoot Lower Scores
Fresh from his third place finish at The Masters, we bring you five top golf tips from two-time Major Champion, Collin Morikawa...
By Dan Parker Published
-
I'm A PGA Pro And I Can Eliminate Your Golf Swing Takeaway Troubles With 3 Expert Tips And Drills...
Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Neil Marr shares his advice on how to cure your golf swing takeaway troubles...
By Neil Marr Published
-
'The Path To Success Is Simpler Than We Think'... PGA Pro Dan Grieve Shares 5 Expert Tips For A Repeatable Golf Swing Set-Up
Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Dan Grieve shares 5 expert tips to simplify your set-up...
By Dan Grieve Published