We found these air cushions (we call them ‘balance discs’) at a local fitness store, and they have proved to be very popular when it comes to helping golfers appreciate the delicate nature of good balance in the golf swing. In fact, Ernie Els used them during his rehabilitation. The key to your success with the air cushions lies in using your legs and ‘core’ to stabilise the swing. Here I’m using a 7-iron (far left), and with the cushions spread just slightly wider than shoulder-width. The first thing I do is make sure my weight is evenly distributed on the cushions at the set-up (easier said than done first time out!). From here, the key is to start by making only a small swinging motion – say to about hip high back and through. Get a sense of the way your weight moves and responds while maintaining balance. Sense that stability in your legs and body 'core' as you gradually build up the length of your swing. With such a precarious footing, any balance issues that you have will quickly be identified – and amplified! So, if you are prone to swaying, lifting your body and losing spine angle, or lunging at the ball on the way down, you will find it almost impossible to keep your footing. For those who feel uncomfortable standing on air cushions, another simple drill involves nothing more complicated than finding a pen or a stick. If you are losing resistance and ‘flex’ in your right leg during the backswing, you can improve matters very quickly by placing the pen under the inside of your right foot (left). Then it’s a matter of maintaining pressure on the pen, which indicates that your weight is loading correctly on the inside of your foot as you complete your backswing. This drill forces you to shift your weight and ‘load’ your swing correctly, and helps strengthen the muscles in your right leg to maintain good athletic balance.