Want A PGA Tour Finish? Here’s How:
The PGA Tour Finish
When you watch PGA and LPGA Tour players on television they make golf look relatively easy. Their swings seem to be powerful, effortless, and in total control. One of the reasons they look like they’re in control is they have great rhythm and balance. Improving your rhythm and balance will certainly help your golf game. One way to do that is to fine-tune your finish position. Having the goal to have a great finish will help your entire swing.
I recently wrote on the importance of holding your finish position (archived in the ‘Scoring Lower’ and ‘Golf Tips’ categories). Now, I’m going to explain how to get that PGA Tour finish. First, I’d like for you to imagine you’re getting your picture taken after a golf shot. How would you want that picture to look? You’d want it to look good, right? After every shot, hold that solid finish. Another way to think about it is this: imagine someone is watching you swing from a distance. Would want them to think your swing is good and that you hit a good shot? Absolutely. Remember, it’s not how you hit it, it’s how good you look!
The main keys to a good finish position are you’ve shifted your weight to your target-side leg, you’ve rotated your body to face the target, and you’re in good balance. I’ve listed some more keys below along with a drill to practice. This is a simple drill, but it’s one I do often just to reinforce where I want to be when I complete my golf swing.
KEYS TO A GOOD FINISH POSITION:
- Weight 100% on left leg
- Left leg straight (not locked) supporting upper body
- Center facing the target – shirt buttons, belt buckle, right knee, and right shoe laces point to target
- Shaft of the club bisects your ears which is perpendicular to your spine
- Done correctly, you should be comfortable and able to hold this position until the ball lands
Checkpoint:
- If you can lift your rear leg off the ground and maintain your balance then you have properly transferred your weight
Drill: Push-To-Finish
- Setup like you’re going to hit a shot, but without the golf ball
- From there, push to your finish – NO backswing
- Notice how your left leg is balanced and supporting your weight without extra movement
- Practice this drill and then slowly incorporate your backswing
- Try to match your finish with both the drill and your swing
Practice this drill inside this winter and you’ll start the season looking and feeling better about your game. Good luck and thanks for reading!
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About
KYLE VOSKA, PGA PROFESSIONAL
I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from St. Michael’s, St. Xavier, and Miami University. After graduating from Miami with a Finance degree, I moved to Florida to pursue my professional golf dreams. After a few successful years and a couple of difficult years, I stopped playing full-time. After a year of caddying on the LPGA Tour for Young Jo, Kim Williams, and Angela Stanford, I moved back home to Cincinnati. Currently, I live near Sharonville with my lovely wife, Lindsay, our kids, Maclin and Ellie, and our dog, Nora.
Teaching golf for over a year in Florida and having taken and watched many lessons from PGA Certified Master Teaching Professional Carl Rabito, becoming a golf instructor was something I really wanted to do. Fortunately, I was able to find a home at Sharon Woods Golf Course in Cincinnati, my old home from the 90′s, to further this new career path. As I enter my 6th season as a golf professional, I’m excited how my role is taking shape. I assist in managing and supervising a staff of nearly 40 while teaching golf lessons to over a 100 students. Hopefully, someday I’ll have the opportunity to mentor some future golf professionals like myself.
Email: kvoska@hotmail.com
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
- PGA Member – June, 2009
- 2008 PGA National Assistants Champion
- 43 Professional Tournament Victories
- 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Section Player-of-the-Year
- 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Southwest Chapter Player-of-the-Year
- 2009 Cincinnati Chapter Match Play Champion
- 2009 Southern Ohio PGA Assistant’s Champion
- 2001 and 2010 Southern Ohio PGA Open Champion
- 2000 PGA Buick Open Contestant
- 1998 Miami Athlete-of-the-Year
- 2-Time NCAA Division I All-American
- Mid-American Conference Sportsman and Player-of-the Year (1998)
- 2-Time Cincinnati Met Amateur Champion (1997, 1998)
- Cincinnati Met Amateur Medalist and Runner-Up (1996)
- NCAA low scoring average on Par 3′s (2.91) in 1998
- Low competitive round – 62 (3 times): Four Bridges CC (’01), Oasis CC (’09), and Juniper Hills GC (’02)
- Low non-competitive round – 61: Browns Run CC – White tees
- Won a 54-hole Developmental Players Tour event by 9 shots shooting 19 under par with no bogies (64,64,69)
- 4 career Holes-in-One and 3 career double eagles
MY PGA MENTORS:
Tom Bach – Head Professional at Sharon Woods Golf Course
George Long – Kenwood CC PGA Professional/Head Pro at The Mill Course (17 Years)
Carl Rabito – PGA Certified Master Teaching Professional (Top 100 Instructor)
Mike Bender – 2009 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Craig Shankland – 2001 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Jim Suttie, Ph.D - 2000 PGA National Teacher-of-the-Year (Top 100)
Bill Madonna – Bill Madonna Golf Academy (Top 100)
Andrew Park – The David Leadbetter Golf Academy
Chris Toulson – Jim McLean Golf School at Doral
As you can see, I’ve been very fortunate to have learned from some of the best PGA Professionals in the country. I feel privileged to pass on the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained from spending time with these great gentlemen.
