Andy Murray has made it his next sporting mission to get to scratch. The tennis legend has, since retiring from the sport, been hard at work on his golf game. But what can he do to take it to the next level?
While we’ve no doubt that Murray has the drive and determination to improve, anyone who plays the game will know that getting to scratch is no mean feat.
Murray, who played in the BMW Championship pro-am at Wentworth alongside Robert MacIntyre, currently plays to an index of 7. That in itself is impressive, but shaving seven shots off a round isn’t something that happens overnight.
The two-time Wimbledon champion certainly doesn’t lack in hand-eye co-ordination, but as with anyone, there are some things he could look to improve in his swing.
So, what should the Scot be focusing on?
We asked Ailsa Murphy, the PGA pro at Peebles Golf Club and a member of the bunkered Performance Panel, to give the former tennis world No.1 three pointers as he chases scratch. Here’s what she had to say…
Andy Murray golf swing analysis
1. More hip rotation in the backswing
Firstly, I’d like to see more hip rotation in Andy’s backswing. If possible, and I understand it may be difficult given his previous surgeries, this would be the first thing I’d look to make changes to.
Feeling the trail hip extend slightly in the backswing and straightening the trail leg a bit more, while being careful not to lock it straight, will allow for a bigger turn into his trail side.
A practice swing drill I often use which helps players load into their trail side is to swing to the top of the backswing and feel you have loaded up with roughly 60% weight in the trail side. When you get to the top, stop and tap the toes in your lead foot twice.
If you can easily do this, you have transferred your weight correctly and loaded better into the trail side.
Also, something else that can make hip rotation feel a little easier would be to flare the feet out a little at address. If the ball was 12 o’clock, turn the feet out to 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock. This will naturally encourage better hip rotation and it will probably feel more comfortable too.
2. Increased weight transfer at impact
At impact, Andy’s trail foot is pretty flat to the ground which suggests there is not a huge amount of weight transfer.
The upper body and head in particular stay over the ball for quite long which could be holding his weight back. Working on the downswing transition into the lead side would be a big thing I’d focus on.
A simple drill to work on better hip rotation and weight transfer would be to hold your golf club against your hips, stand in your golf posture and simply feel the trail hip working behind you as you rotate away from the target and then feel the lead hip work behind you in the follow through towards the target. Just think ‘Right pocket back, left pocket back.’
Another great drill to help get the weight into the lead side in the downswing is to place a water bottle just inside the trail heel. Super simple – try to knock the water bottle over with your trail foot when you are in the downswing, just before impact.
3. Rotate as the ball is struck
With better weight transfer, Andy’s upper body and head will naturally start to lift up earlier. This really isn’t anything too technical, but it’s an important point that will help him hit better shots. Just focus on going with the club more with the chest and head after impact.
It’s great to stay down over the ball, however too much of this restricts rotation and limits the quality of the shot.
