If you’ve been grinding away at your golf swing and still struggling with consistent contact, you’re not alone. According to world-renowned golf coach Rick Smith, many players focus on the wrong parts of their swing.
Together, these Performance Golf coaches break down the most efficient way to start striking the ball more solidly. It comes down to a simple concept: focus on the 20% of your swing that drives 80% of your results. Watch the video tutorial below, or keep reading for more on how to improve your golf contact with an easy technique.
The 20/80 Rule in Golf Swings
Most golfers focus on parts of the swing that actually have minimal impact on their success. In truth, the section of the swing from hip-high on the backswing to hip-high on the follow-through (The Y and the Y) is where the magic happens.
Mastering this 20% of your swing will lead to the rest of the 80% following suit—especially when it comes to solid, consistent contact.
Introducing the “Y to Y” Drill
The heart of the video is the “Y to Y” drill, which focuses on creating two matching “Y” shapes:
- The First Y: Formed at setup and the start of the backswing, with arms and club creating a strong Y-shape.
- The Second Y: Created just after impact, with the arms and shaft mirroring the original position but rotated through the ball.
By focusing on this motion and avoiding early wrist release or poor sequencing, players can quickly improve consistency and ball striking.
To help feel this motion and lock in the rotation, Rick demonstrates a simple but effective belt drill. You simply place the club at the belt loops to maintain structure and connection through the swing.
This helps:
- Keep arms and body moving together
- Reinforce proper rotation
- Develop feel for the correct post-impact position
Short punch shots (around 60–80 yards) are recommended to groove the motion without overexerting.
The Takeaway: Master the Basics for Major Gains
This lesson is a powerful reminder that golf improvement doesn’t always require complicated mechanics. By honing in on the fundamental 20% of your swing, you’ll set yourself up for dramatic improvements.
As Rick stated in the video, even the best players in the world revisit these basics regularly to keep their fundamentals sharp.
Want more hands-on help with your golf contact, distance or accuracy? Check out Performance Golf’s immersive two-day golf schools across the U.S., where top coaches like Rick will help you identify and fix your swing’s root flaws for true improvement.
