Barry Goldstein Professional Golf Instructor

Here's a common mistake that often plagues mid-handicappers, keeping them from breaking through to the next level: they are able to get the club into a good position at the top of their backswing, but their first move in the downswing is to uncoil their shoulders and upper body.

This premature spinning or opening of the shoulders robs their swings of power and brings the club to the ball from the outside of the target line. The result among better players is a pull. Higher handicappers tend to start the ball to the left and then fade or slice it back to the right.

To stop spinning from the top, imagine that you're a baseball player wearing a uniform with your last name printed across the shoulders. At the top of your golf swing, a pitcher would be able to read your name on your back.

To add power to your swing and bring the club to the ball on the proper plane, you need to start your downswing by dropping your hands to the ball for about a foot without allowing your shoulders to open. In other words, make sure that, one foot into your downswing, the pitcher would still be able to see the name on the back of your jersey.

Practice this move over and over. It's can be a tricky technique to master, but once you do, not only will you start swinging along the correct plane, you'll also begin to unleash your swing's power where it counts: at impact!