(Editor's Note: This is a companion to the Balance and Rhythm primer located here.)

To help find your natural swinging rhythm, try this exercise:

• Place 5 tees in the ground 4 inches apart in a line.
• Stand just inside the closest tee and begin swinging a 7-iron back and through with a continuous swing motion.
• Begin walking forward, clipping each tee out of the ground in succession.
• Repeat this drill three times and you will find a swing pace that will allow you to keep your balance and still generate club head speed.

Perfect and memorize your balance points with this drill:

• Close your eyes and feel your balance at address, then make a back swing and stop at the top, feel your balance on the inside of the back foot.
• Start your down swing by feeling weight move to the front shoe, then stop at impact. Your weight should be on the front foot.
• Continue your swing to the finish and hold, feeling your weight on the front foot, and tap your back toe.

One of the very best practice drills involves practicing your swing in slow motion:

• Set up 10 teed-up balls and make full swing in slow motion. The balls should only travel 10 to 15 yards. Think of this speed as 10-percent of your normal swing speed. (Your belt buckle is the "speedometer" of your swing for this exercise.)
• Every 10 balls, increase your body rotation speed by 10-percent.
• By the time you reach 80-percent, you will arrive at your optimum rhythm and balance speed.

You will be surprised at how far the ball goes and how solid you will contact the ball.

See also: Balance and Rhythm - Good Tempo and Balance Will Help You "Swing Easy and Hit Hard"

About the Author
Michael Lamanna is Director of Instruction at The Academy at La Cantera, part of the Westin La Cantera Resort (home of the PGA Texas Open) in San Antonio, Texas. To learn more about Lamanna, click here.