The drill library

Penick's bird

10 min 15 reps Difficulty ●○○○○
Goal: Calibrate a constant grip pressure of 4 out of 10

How to do it

Hold the club as if it were a bird: firm enough that it can't escape, soft enough not to hurt it. Make practice swings feeling soft forearms. Hit balls keeping the same pressure from address to finish; if the grip tightens at the top, start over.

What fault it fixes

Excessive grip pressure
Tense forearms and no fluid wrist hinge on the way back; the wrist set shows up late or not at all and the tempo shortens.

Frequently asked questions

What is the "Penick's bird" drill for?

Calibrate a constant grip pressure of 4 out of 10

How do you do the "Penick's bird" drill?

Hold the club as if it were a bird: firm enough that it can't escape, soft enough not to hurt it. Make practice swings feeling soft forearms. Hit balls keeping the same pressure from address to finish; if the grip tightens at the top, start over.

How long does the "Penick's bird" drill take?

About 10 minutes per session, 15 reps.

Sources

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