FatPlate Assisted Learning

In this Assisted Learning video series, FatPlate Director of Instruction, Ben Frost, helps to ensure that you use your new FatPlate training aid in the most effective way possible and also provides you with enough knowledge & practical practice drills so that you hit more greens.

Getting Started

Starting at position 1 without a ball and using one of your wedges with half swings only, your first goal is to simply make contact with the ground within the strike-zone whilst missing the body of the FatPlate.

YOUR FIRST TARGET

Now that you’ve made some practice swings without a ball & have established that you are able to miss the FatPlate, it is time to introduce a ball.

Again still using a half swing with your wedge, & with the ball on position 1, hit a shot & see if you miss the FatPlate. If you can, your goal now is to achieve at least 7 out of 10 clean strikes.

Please note that you do not necessarily have to complete ball position 3 in order to progress to further drills as position 3 may not be relevant to ‘your’ swing due to a number of factors e.g. your swing speed, swing style, injuries etc. You may find that Position 2 matches the physical characteristics of your swing & provides enough of a test.

ISOLATE WRIST MOVEMENT

This drill is designed to isolate the movement of the wrists so we can understand and practice what is necessary to achieve the correct impact. Again, use the 7 out of 10 rule and keep a note of your score in your Practice Record.

ADDING BODY MOVEMENT

Our second drill is to take the wrist action perfected in the first video and add a little more body movement to it which takes us one step closer to a full swing.

We still start with a wedge and the ball on position 1 but the difference is we now stand on our lead foot instead. This is going to allow more body turn as we swing the club about half way back.

From here we rotate the hips towards the target and as long as our hand action is good we should easily miss the plate and strike the ball perfectly. Again, use the 7 out of 10 rule and keep a note of your score in your Practice Record.

PRE-SET IMPACT

This drill is to help you identify exactly what impact should feel like by pre-setting it before we hit the shots.

So, Again with a wedge on position 1 but with a normal stance this time, slide and turn your hips a little towards the target and push your hands ahead of the ball. Again, use the 7 out of 10 rule and keep a note of your score in your Practice Record.

PAUSE & STRIKE

Our second drill is to take the wrist action perfected in the first video and add a little more body movement to it which takes us one step closer to a full swing.

This drill is the final piece to the puzzle where you are trying to get a feeling for the full dynamics of the downswing so we can then apply the delayed release and achieve the perfect ball then turf strike.

Using a wedge again and as always starting on position 1 take a normal setup. The drill is to make a longer backswing than before but after you change direction we want you to pause about half way down.

ONGOING PRACTICE – 7 OUT OF 10 RULE

To avoid reverting back to old habits, keep up your practice so that you are able to maintain your new skills.

Using your Practice Record to record your progress, work back through the drills using the 7 out of 10 rule.

THE STRIKESTRIP CHALLENGE

With a StrikeStrip applied to your FatPlate, your challenge now is to hit 30 shots off Position 1 without marking the StrikeStrip.

DIRECTIONAL SKILL

Now that your ball striking has improved you should be consistently hitting your irons the correct distances. Your next skill is directional which is mainly reliant on the angle of the club face and therefore your ability to control whether it comes in to impact open, square or closed.

DIRECTIONAL SKILL – 21 BALL TEST

Now that your ball striking has improved you should be consistently hitting your irons the correct distances. Your next skill is directional which is mainly reliant on the angle of the club face and therefore your ability to control whether it comes in to impact open, square or closed.

COURSE PERFORMANCE & ASSESSMENT

Now let’s establish if your improved skills are being transferred to the course.

Within the Practice Record & Playing Guide you will find an area to record your course performance of approach shots into greens.

By completing the assessment cards over a number of rounds, you will be able easily identify areas that are still in need of a little more attention on the practice area.

COMING SOON

Keep checking back as we’ll continue to add modules to our online golf lesson video series so that you learn the skills to master all iron shots.

BEN FROST COACHING

Although Ben is kept busy with FatPlate product development, he still enjoys working with golfers who have a desire to improve so continues to coach individuals and groups at our National HQ at Stonebridge Golf Club, located just 2 mins from Birmingham Airport & the National Exhibition Centre.

And if you can’t make it in person, online lessons are also available whereby Ben can provide you with a full analysis of your swing.

For booking details contact: ben@fatplate.golf