Golf Tips at the Northern Trust Open

What can you learn from a PGA Tour player's golf swing? A lot.

The Golf Tips staff was at the Northern Trust Open yesterday scouring Riviera Country Club's two driving ranges for great tips. We found them.

Here's 3-time winner Kirk Triplett just after impact. Note how his weight has shifted into his left side? His hips have cleared out of the way and his right heel is slightly off the ground. Many amateurs don't do this (they do what's called a "reverse pivot" where their weight falls back onto their right side and, as a result, swing mostly with their arms and slice across the ball).

Another good example of someone who clears their hips is Lucas Glover, although the more flexible 29 year old can keep his right foot planted at impact. Don't try this if you work a desk job.

Here's a down the line shot of Triplett. Take a look at how his club's shaft matches his right arm. Again, a lot of amateurs fail to stay "on plane" like Kirk. His extension here shows that he's kept the club going around his body on the follow-through. Try this at home in a mirror to ensure you're rotating the club properly.

Take a look at Stephen Ames, post-impact. Note how his hips have cleared out of the way and the club remains in front of his chest as he turns. Some people may look at this swing and say "see, you've got to keep your head down," we don't believe that's the best advice to pass onto golfers. All too often "keeping your head down" leads to poor weight shift. In fact better players like Annika Sorenstam and David Duval actually rotate their head toward the target as they approach impact. The key is to keep rotating to the left.

2002 PGA Champ Rich Beem isn't too proud to use a training aid on the range. Here he's trying to keep his legs together so he remains stable and doesn't move off the ball during his swing. Does anybody know the name of this training aid? We don't. Help!

Look for more snaps from Riv's range tomorrow.