This Ask Mike comes from John Pappas. I’ve got Billy Fitzgerald and Brian here with me, and we’ve been discussing this. It’s an interesting question. Mr. Pappas has an idea about combining two drills, which is fantastic. Personally, I often combine two or three drills every time I make a golf swing. When people ask how often they should use a drill, my answer is simple: 

How about before every swing?

John’s specific question is whether we can combine the split grip and step back drills, and how that might help. Let’s break it down and talk about both drills.

The split grip drill is excellent for almost anyone learning to lever their wrists properly. To do it, you split your grip on the club, moving your hands apart slightly—almost like holding a hockey stick. When you swing back with this grip, it makes it much easier to feel the lever action in your wrists and how the club moves through the swing. It’s a fantastic drill for improving wrist mechanics.

The step back drill involves stepping back with one foot while hitting the ball. You can step back with either foot, depending on what you’re trying to feel or correct. It’s a great drill for understanding balance and sequencing in your swing.

Now, combining the two drills could be particularly helpful for someone who struggles to lever the club properly on the follow-through or tends to move up into the ball during the swing. Here’s how you could combine them: Start with the split grip, take a step back as you swing, and focus on levering the club both in the backswing and follow-through. You step back and lever, step back and lever. This combination allows you to feel the proper sequencing and mechanics while staying balanced.

Once you’ve practiced the combined drill and understand how it feels, set up to the ball and try to replicate that same feeling in your swing, but without stepping back or using the split grip. Alternatively, you can work on the drills individually before combining them.

The key is finding a combination of drills that addresses your specific swing issues. Once you find what works, use those drills consistently. That’s what tour players do. I can often watch a player take one or two swings on the course and immediately tell who they’re working with and what they’re focusing on, because drills are such an integral part of their practice and performance.