Amateur star uses the simplest drill to train elite ball striking

Although Miles Russell has yet to graduate high school, he’s a more accomplished golfer than most. Two years ago, he became the youngest player (15) to make a cut in a KFT event, eventually finishing in the top 20 of the event. Later in the year, he made a couple starts on the PGA Tour to boot. Since then, he’s only raised his profile, including a made cut in his first major start earlier this summer at the U.S. Open. Now when the Florida State commit shows up to amateur events, the 17-year-old is one of the biggest names in the field.

Such was the case this week at Merion as Russell arrived to the U.S. Amateur on the short list of favorites. And although his championship came to a premature end with a loss to University of Oklahoma rising senior Ryder Cowan, he still made his presence known on the biggest stage.

“Miles is a great player,” Cowan said after dispatching Russell 2 and 1. “He’s a guy that you want to beat because he’s so good.”

High praise from one of the top collegiate players in the game. But the results speak for themselves — Russell has some serious game.

Ahead of Russell’s Round of 64 match with Cowan, I spotted him using a simple — yet highly effective — drill to dial in his ball striking. Check it out below.

Russell’s go-to drill

It’s not unusual to see players using alignment sticks when they work on their swings. But during Russell’s warmup routine, he used one a little differently than most. After hitting short wedges for a while, Russell pulled a small alignment stick out of his bag and gripped it between his hands and the club, with the butt end sticking out just in front of his lead hip. Then, he made swings as normal.

This serves a few purposes:

1. Keeps hands ahead of the ball: It helps keep his hands ahead of the ball through impact, and keeps him from flipping at the bottom of the swing. This promotes cleaner contact and more consistent ball flight.
2. Forces body rotation: It forces him to keep rotating his body hard through impact, because if he stalls out, the alignment stick will hit his lead hip. This is crucial for generating power and maintaining stability.
3. Promotes weight transfer: It helps him get to his lead side through impact and not hang back. This ensures a more powerful and controlled finish, improving balance.

All three of these checkpoints are crucial for solid ball striking, and something that Russell clearly values. If you find yourself struggling with any of the above in your swing, it may be worth it to give this drill a shot.

Why it matters for golfers of all levels

Miles Russell, at just 17 years old, is already demonstrating a level of play that many professionals aspire to. His accomplishments, including making the cut in his first major start at the U.S. Open earlier this summer, make him one of the most promising young talents in golf. When a player like Russell, who is committed to Florida State, shares his training methods, it warrants significant attention.

His ability to achieve such results at such a young age underscores the importance of mastering fundamental swing mechanics. The simple alignment stick drill that Russell employs might seem elementary, but its effectiveness lies in its ability to simultaneously address several critical aspects of striking technique.

Many amateur golfers struggle with issues such as flipping their wrists, insufficient body rotation, or improper weight transfer. These errors lead to a loss of power, reduced accuracy, and inconsistent play. The drill proposed by Russell offers a straightforward and visual solution to these common problems.

Context and outlook

Ryder Cowan, who defeated Russell at the U.S. Amateur, commented, “Miles is a great player. He’s a guy that you want to beat because he’s so good.” These words attest to the high caliber of the young American’s game. His ability to compete head-to-head with top collegiate players highlights his immense potential.

In the world of professional golf, there's a constant search for new methodologies and exercises to improve play. Often, the simplest solutions prove to be the most effective. Miles Russell's drill is a prime example of how fundamental golf principles, honed to perfection, can lead to outstanding results.

For golfers looking to enhance their striking technique, this drill can be a valuable addition to their practice routine. It requires no special equipment beyond a standard set of alignment sticks and can be performed almost anywhere—on the driving range, at an indoor facility, or even at home.

It’s important to remember that consistency and proper execution are key to success. Regularly practicing this exercise will help build muscle memory and ingrain correct movements, ultimately leading to more consistent and powerful shots.