EJS GOLF BLOG
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Mastering the Art of Golf with Coach Erik Schjolberg
Welcome to my blog at EJS Golf Academy, the premier destination for mastering the art of golf. Here at our Scottsdale location, at McCormick Ranch Golf Club, every golfer who steps into my world-class teaching bay discovers a pathway to enhance their game. My name is Coach Erik Schjolberg, and I am committed to transforming your golf skills through a combination of cutting-edge technology and personalized coaching techniques.
At EJS Golf, we understand that every golfer's journey is unique. Whether you are a PGA Tour professional, a college athlete, a developing junior, or a weekend enthusiast, our blog is designed to provide you with insights and strategies to improve your game. Our posts are not just about golf; they are about becoming a better player through deliberate practice and scientific understanding of golf mechanics.
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Best Drill Shaft Lean - Impact
Best Drill Ever for Shaft Lean - Open Trail Hand
Hi friends and golfers! I'm Coach Erik Schjolberg, owner of EJS Golf at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, AZ. With over 25 years of experience coaching golfers from PGA Tour pros to passionate amateurs, I'm dedicated to helping every player improve from their very first lesson. My state-of-the-art facility and data-driven approach guarantee results, whether you're seeking in-person Scottsdale golf lessons or online golf lessons. Visit my website, EJS Golf, to learn more about the Science of Better Golf and let's elevate your game together!
Improving your golf swing is a continuous process, and one of the most effective tools to refine impact and release is the open trail hand drill. This drill addresses several common issues that plague golfers, such as scooping at impact, a chicken wing motion, tipping the shaft steep on the downswing, and achieving proper shaft lean. While simple in theory, the open trail hand drill is an advanced method for ingraining better habits, providing clear feedback, and improving your swing dynamics over time.
The core purpose of the open trail hand drill is to teach the hands, wrists, and body to work together properly during the swing without relying on a tight grip from the trail hand. The trail hand often plays too dominant a role in swings that exhibit scooping or flipping at impact. This over-reliance leads to a breakdown in mechanics, resulting in inconsistent ball striking, weak shots, and compromised trajectory. The drill forces you to rely on the lead side and proper wrist mechanics, helping to eliminate those flaws and improve your overall impact position.
To perform the drill, start with your normal grip on the club. Then, open your trail hand completely so that no fingers are gripping the club. This step can feel uncomfortable, but it’s vital to the exercise. Keep only the heel pad and the first joint of your index finger in contact with the club. These contact points provide just enough leverage to guide the swing while forcing you to rely on proper rotation and body mechanics instead of grip pressure.
Let me share a specific example of one of my students who benefited from this drill. Tom, a mid-handicap golfer, came to me struggling with negative shaft lean at impact. His typical swing featured a pronounced scooping motion, with his trail hand flipping through impact. This habit caused weak, high shots with no consistency or power. On video analysis, it was clear that Tom’s trail hand was overactive, tipping the shaft steep and creating a separation between his hands and the club face at impact.
I introduced the open trail hand drill to help him feel how the lead side should dominate the swing and how proper wrist positioning would naturally produce forward shaft lean. I asked Tom to commit to a 15-minute practice session each day for two weeks, focusing exclusively on the drill. Each session was broken down into three five-minute segments: the first practicing the open trail hand drill with small 9-to-3 swings, the second focusing on feeling the proper rotation of his lead side, and the third trying to recreate the sensation with a full grip while maintaining the same movements.
During his first few sessions, Tom found it difficult to keep his trail hand open without gripping the club for control. He initially relied too much on his trail hand to “steer” the swing, but as he practiced, he began to feel the pressure points in his lead hand and how they guided the club through impact. By the end of the first week, Tom noticed that his lead wrist was naturally staying in a slightly bowed position at impact, which created the forward shaft lean he was missing.
By the second week, Tom’s scooping motion was nearly gone. With his trail hand open, he learned to engage the proper parts of his swing, allowing his lead side to rotate more fluidly and his trail side to support the motion rather than dominate it. When he transitioned back to a full grip, Tom was able to replicate the same sensation of forward shaft lean and maintain a solid impact position. His ball flight transformed, producing lower, more penetrating shots with significantly improved consistency.
The open trail hand drill also helped Tom tackle another persistent issue—tipping the shaft steep on the downswing. With his trail hand open, the swing naturally encouraged a shallower path, reducing his tendency to come over the top. This adjustment not only improved his impact but also allowed him to compress the ball more effectively, resulting in better control and added distance.
What made this transformation possible was Tom’s commitment to the structured 15-minute practice plan. By dedicating focused, short sessions to this drill, he was able to break old habits and develop new muscle memory without feeling overwhelmed. The drill provided immediate feedback—when his hands separated from the club during the swing, he knew he was flipping. Conversely, when his hands stayed connected and the club moved smoothly through impact, he knew he was on the right track.
The beauty of the open trail hand drill is its versatility. It’s not only useful for correcting scooping but also for improving sequencing and body rotation. As golfers like Tom have discovered, it’s a powerful tool for addressing multiple issues at once. Whether you’re struggling with a chicken wing, steep downswing, or lack of forward shaft lean, this drill can help you build stronger fundamentals and develop a more reliable swing.
By practicing this drill consistently, you’ll start to feel the difference in how your hands and body work together. Over time, you can transition back to a full grip while maintaining the improved mechanics you developed with the drill. The goal isn’t to be perfect but to make progress—eliminating the bad habits that hold you back and building the skills that lead to better impact, more solid contact, and a more enjoyable game.
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What You Can Expect from Our Blog
1. Expert Insights on Swing Mechanics:
With over 25 years of experience as a PGA Professional Golf Instructor, I delve deep into the nuances of golf swing mechanics. My articles break down complex theories into understandable concepts, focusing on ground reaction forces (GRFs), biomechanics, and efficient energy transfer.
2. Advanced Technological Guidance:
Our academy is equipped with state-of-the-art tools like the Trackman 4 Launch Monitor, 3D Pressure Plates, and Hackmotion, among others. On the blog, I share how to leverage these technologies to gain precise feedback on your swing, helping you make informed adjustments and see measurable improvements.
3. Tailored Practice Routines:
My philosophy is built on the belief that improvement should be evident from the first lesson. I advocate a '15 minutes per day' practice model, designed to fit into your busy schedule while ensuring consistent progress. Each blog post aims to offer practice drills and routines that are easy to implement and effective in refining your skills.
4. Real Success Stories:
Read about the experiences of those who have trained at EJS Golf Academy. These testimonials not only inspire but also illustrate the practical application of our teaching methodologies and the real results achieved.
5. Interactive Learning:
We occasionally feature video tutorials and interactive content that allows you to visually grasp techniques and corrections. This blended approach helps reinforce learning and allows you to engage with the content actively.
How Our Blog Helps Golfers Get Better
Every post is crafted with the intent to educate. We cover everything from basic fundamentals to advanced techniques, ensuring there's something valuable for every skill level. By presenting data and evidence-backed strategies, our blog demystifies the 'why' and 'how' behind effective golf training. This analytical approach empowers you to make smarter decisions about your practice and play. We understand that generic advice does not suit everyone. Our blog posts are designed to help you identify your own needs and adapt our techniques accordingly. Whether it’s adjusting your grip, stance, or swing path, you’ll find personalized tips that resonate with your specific challenges. Beyond just reading, our blog serves as a community hub where you can interact with fellow golfers and share your experiences. This supportive environment encourages learning and improvement through collective wisdom.
Join Us on Your Path to Mastery
Whether you’re looking to refine your swing, understand the biomechanics of your body, or simply get more enjoyment out of the game, our blog at EJS Golf Academy is your go-to resource. Bookmark our page, subscribe to updates, and start transforming your game today.
Remember, at EJS Golf, we don’t just teach golf; we craft master golfers. Let’s begin this journey together. Visit us atEJSGolf.com to learn more about our programs and start your training online or at our Scottsdale location. Let’s make every swing count!
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I've taken multiple private lessons with Erik and he's been by far the best swing coach I have ever worked with. He has the ability to dissect your swing and make small changes for big improvements. What I love most about his lessons is they go far beyond the 1 or 2 hours you're with him. He follows up with videos of how you can improve at home and on the range. The value he provides is absolutely worth the cost of his sessions. I would recommend any golfer at any level who truly wants to get better to go see Erik.”
- Reanol H.
Erik is the best! and that is not an exaggeration. There has not been a single lesson where I haven't walked out and felt like a far better golfer than before. What can't be praised enough is the effort and dedication that Eric puts into each of his students, as his approach to fixing and improving my golf swing was specific to me. While teaching, Erik takes the extra time to truly dive into what he is trying to convey rather than just telling you, allowing for a better understanding. Beyond the instruction at the course, Erik sends specific drills to you from an app that allows for slow motion replays, letting you break down everything and work on your game at any time. I genuinely mean it when I say that I would recommend Erik to anyone wanting to improve their golf game, as he is not only a top not instructor but also a top notch person who cares about his students.
- Brennan K.
Erik is flat out a great coach and mentor! I highly recommend him! Working from the ground up, my swing is healthier and smooth! I wanted a coach that shared the same main principles as the late Tony Manzoni and Erik hits the mark! Found Erik by listening to the Golf Smarter podcast by Fred Greene and connected with EJS Golf through the Perfect Motion app. Erik is motivated and incredibly gifted at his craft!
- Bryan B., Indiana, USA
