McIlroy swing thought.

[sabzor]

Was reading golf digest's analysis of our champ McIlroy's swing and he talks about how he likes to focus on nothing but the target, but then mentioned his one swing thought under pressure.

"Under pressure, I do use one simple swing thought: I pick a spot a foot in front of the ball and hit over it -- hard."

Can anyone clarify if he means a foot towards the target or a foot towards his back foot?

[jvincent]

Toward the target.

[sabzor]

I assume this is meant to ensure he releases nice and long through his shot?

[jvincent]

Not sure what he's trying to do with the thought.

[bNeill]

He uses a spot as an alignment aid that's all.

[mpare]

That's an old Jack Nicklaus alignment aid. In Rory's case it might be used both for alignment and to focus his attention, though I don't know that as I haven't seen the quote.

He uses a spot as an alignment aid that's all.

[Shreen]

That's an old Jack Nicklaus alignment aid. In Rory's case it might be used both for alignment and to focus his attention, though I don't know that as I haven't seen the quote.

An intermediate target I would assume. After picking it you generally do not look up at you actual target again. Can help block out water, trees, bunkers, etc and focus on just pounding it over the intermediate target.

[sabzor]

To me the only part of his statement that confused me a little was the fact that he said he 'hits over it' rather than simply saying he hits aligns himself to that intermediate target.

I was thinking that ensuring you stay down and swing over it out in front of the ball would pretty much ensure an in/out swing path, but i could be wrong.