Step 1

Set up like you were going to hit a regular shot. Make sure you have an activated core. We call it “abs in.” This will straighten up your spine and connect your upper and lower body. Make sure that your weight is on the balls of your feet. I recommend that you do this drill with your 9, 8, or 7 iron.

Step 2

In the back swing, step your right (trail) foot over to your left (lead) foot, while rotating your upper and lower body.   Pay attention to your balance when making the step as to not lose your balance.  If you lose your balance towards the target you mostly likely will have lifted your arms up and not rotated your upper body. If you lose your balance away from the target you have either shifted your weight or have gotten your arms too much around yourself.  When you do this step correctly you will have a good balance and your arms will be in front of your body. This is because you have rotated your body letting your arms follow and therefore transferred weight over to the trail side. As you can see in the photo, my feet are close together and the majority of my weight is on my right (trail) foot yet I’m perfectly balanced.

Step 3

To start your downswing, replace your lead foot where it was at set up and continue to rotate the left side “ground up”.  This is very similar to how a baseball player starts their forward swing.  This will teach your body how to initiate your downswing, and which part of the body to initiate it with.  This is a great drill for players that “come over the top”.  It will also help you transfer your weight to the lead side (left side in this case) and avoid “bumping” or “sliding” the hip forward.

Step 4

We are now at impact position – the most important position in the golf swing. I have already hit the ball, my trail (right) foot stays grounded as long as possible, and my trail (right) knee is kissing the lead (left) knee. My legs form an upside down K. The left side is cleared, and there is more rotation in the hip than the shoulders. Keep an eye on my left arm, my wrist and club shaft. Notice how straight it is at impact. You can almost draw a line down from my shoulder to the ball. (In this case I have already hit the ball so the club head has released through a little from where the ball was). Also notice how my body has rotated as if I was in a cylinder.  I’m not pushing forward with my lower body, causing an arch in my upper body (reversed C -finish). My spine is straight which allows my shoulders and hips to remain aligned.  When the body is more centered or over the ball, you will be able to compress the ball with the release of the club head.

Step 5

To finish of this drill- take a step through with your right (trail) foot. Again you can see how my shoulders and hips are aligned with each other. My arms and club are released towards the target, and not up or around my body.  My spine stays straight throughout my swing and this allows me to have my shoulders and hips aligned while rotating inside that cylinder form.  My right (trail) foot will be slightly ahead  of my left (lead) foot.  You will feel a slight twisting feeling in your left leg. If you feel any strains, make sure that your lead foot is slightly flared or open to the target. My weight is slightly more on the right (trail) foot and my balance is perfect.

No reversed C -finish here! My belly button and chest faces the target – the same direction I release the power and ball towards!

Fourteen year-old Zhang made headlines last year when he became the youngest player to ever qualify for the US Open. After his FJT victory, and his first title of the year under his belt, he began preparing once again for the US Open Local Qualifier. On May 9, he played in the qualifier in Lake Wales, Fla. and finished just outside the cut in 15th place with a round of 72. The last three of the 10 players to make the cut finished with a 71.

Griffin continues to train with Charlotta Sorenstam at the ANNIKA Academy.

Read More form the Florida State Golf Association here.  

Hana, who works with our ANNIKA Academy Instructor Charlotta Sorenstam, placed first in the 14-18 girls division shooting a 75 in both rounds for a 150 total. Her younger brother, Ken, works with ANNIKA Academy Instructor Mark Bereza. Ken took first place in his age group for the boy’s division.

More about the tournament…

Conditions at Magnolia Plantation Golf Club were sunny but windy and golfers once again played skillfully during our two day event. Given the admirable course and a great turnout, all players demonstrated their excellent golf and etiquette during this competitive and exciting tournament. The Greater Orlando Jr. Golf Tour offers a unique tour that allows both boys and girls between the ages of 6-18 the opportunity to play junior golf during the same time college golf is played. This tour gives the juniors an opportunity to showcase their talents and get the recognition they deserve at a reasonable cost.

Old Greenwood Golf Course in Truckee, CA.
Home of the ANNIKA Academy Lake Tahoe Destination Golf Experience.

Our popular Lake Tahoe Destination Golf Experience with the ANNIKA Academy has been extended and space is still available! Our first session for July 14-17 sold out quickly, and we were able to open up a second set of dates so more of our guests could join us to experience the “Winning Approach” in a breath-taking setting. Our second 3-day destination golf experience in Lake Tahoe will take place July 17-20. It includes golf instruction with the ANNIKA Academy team, video swing analysis, and a gorgeous dinner overlooking Lake Tahoe with Annika in attendance as the special guest. This is your opportunity to plan the perfect summer getaway while crossing off a bucket-list item – meeting the most successful female golfer of all time.

CLICK HERE to learn more!

Rachel was playing in her first tournament since the 2013 ANNIKA Invitational USA where she finished T-5^th against one of the top fields in junior golf. She finished that event tied with Simin Feng and Linnea Strom, the 2009 ANNIKA Invitational and 2012 ANNIKA Invitational Europe champions. At only 13 years old, Rachel’s win, along with her breakout performance at the ANNIKA Invitational are just a glimpse of great things sure to come from this young golfer.

As an ELITE member, Rachel trains with the ANNIKA Academy team on a weekly basis. The personalized training program and dedicated team of instructors has helped her to grow tremendously since she began the program in September 2012. To learn more about the ELITE program, click here.

Congratulations Rachel on a fantastic win! We are very proud of you and it comes as no surprise that you are already accomplishing so much at a young age!

(ORLANDO, Fla.) – The ANNIKA Academy – Hall-of-Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam’s boutique golf instruction and fitness school – has partnered with Canada’s leading junior golf circuit, the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT)

Located at Orlando’s Reunion Resort, the Academy was founded in 2007 as a platform for the 10-time major champion to share her passion for golf, fitness and nutrition. Highlights of the new partnership with the MJT include an Annika-led skills clinic for competitors at the season-ending MJT Boston Pizza National Championship, Nov. 8-10, at Reunion.

“The MJT is honored to partner with the ANNIKA Academy, which is led by one of the sport’s all-time greats,” says Murray Poje, PGA Professional and Executive Director of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour. “Annika is an exceptional role model for juniors, as her path to success on and off-the-course was made possible by virtues like perseverance, respect for the game and sportsmanship toward fellow competitors.”

“This new association with the MJT dovetails nicely with Annika’s devotion to promoting junior golf via her Academy and Foundation,” says John Goodman, Director of Sales and Marketing at the ANNIKA Academy. “We’re excited by the opportunity to introduce even more Canadians to Academy programs tailored to players of all ages and abilities.

The field for the MJT Boston Pizza National Championship at Reunion Resort is by invitation only. Seventy-two competitors will be selected based on the MJT Cleveland Golf Order of Merit (OOM). Invitations will be extended the week of September 1 to the top Order of Merit-rated players in each province (determined by the best three OOM finishes divided by three).

The MJT is “the Road to College Golf” in Canada with 50-plus tournaments scheduled in 2013 for young golfers aged nine through 19. In addition to being the number one-played competitive circuit in the country for multi-day tournaments, it is the only program that offers a special rate discount for members for college golf consultations, live webinars, live Q&A chat sessions on college golf and an annual college golf consultation package award.

For more information about the MJT: www.maplejt.com, jrtour@maplejt.com, 877.859.GOLF.

For more information about the ANNIKA Academy: www.theannikaacademy.com,  TheTeam@TheAnnikaAcademy.com, 888.266.4522

For more information about the ANNIKA Foundation: www.annikafoundation.org.

About the Maple Leaf Junior Tour (MJT)

The non-profit Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour presented by Boston Pizza (www.maplejt.com) is Canada’s number-one played Junior Golf Tour as well as the only national junior tour run exclusively by PGA of Canada Professionals and the ‘Road to College Golf’ in Canada. The organization is generously supported by Boston Pizza and Premier Partners Cleveland Golf, Srixon, Ford, Mr. Lube, Golf Town and Travel Underwriters, in addition to valued Tournament and Product Partners. The MJT hosts more than 60 events across Canada, including free Ford Go Golf Junior Clinics, the MJT Mini Tour for 7-12 year olds, and multi-day events for competitive players which also qualify juniors for international competitions. The program offers annual awards, scholarships, and frequent player incentives to help reward player’s performance and participation throughout each season. MJT alumni include many Professional Tour players and PGA of Canada Professionals, as well as Canadian Amateur, National and Provincial Junior Champions. The MJT aims to develop champions, in golf and in life, promoting the game from grassroots through to provincial, national, university and professional level.

About the ANNIKA Academy

The ANNIKA Academy is a state-of-the-art, “boutique” golf school at Reunion Resort, near Orlando, Fla. It opened in 2007 as a way to share Annika’s passion for golf, fitness and nutrition, along with her personal team of coaches. Their simple techniques allow players of any age, gender or skill level to reach their potential by transferring more energy and power from the gym to the course. The Academy is a Certified Callaway Performance Center with two spacious hitting booths that offer custom club fitting and video swing analysis.  Complete with a modern fitness facility, conference room, and full-service locker rooms, the Academy provides individualized golf instruction, personalized fitness and nutrition programs, and custom corporate packages. Guests can play with Annika or learn the proven winning approach she established with her world renowned team of instructors.

About the ANNIKA Foundation

Annika created the ANNIKA Foundation as a way to teach children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offer aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams. The Foundation has partnered with key organizations to promote healthy, active lifestyles for children, including SPARK, Florida Hospital for Children in support of its Healthy 100 Kids initiative and The First Tee in development of the Nine Healthy Habits curriculum for children.

It annually conducts four major golf events for aspiring junior girls, including an award-winning AJGA tournament, ANNIKA Invitational at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Fla.; the ANNIKA Invitational at Mission Hills, the first all-girls junior tournament in China; the ANNIKA Invitational in Europe; and the ANNIKA Cup, a team event for the top juniors in Sweden. The Foundation awards SPARK grants to schools, is a financial supporter of Healthy 100 Kids and has endowed an ACE scholarship with the AJGA.  Other key initiatives include ANNIKA Junior Day, the ANNIKA Inspiration Award and scholarships for aspiring Swedish juniors.

Junior Golfers at the ANNIKA Academy

Did you know, that along with providing adults the golf experiences of a lifetime have golf programs designed especially for junior golfers of all ages and skill levels? These programs range from daily hour-long lessons for beginners, to week long summer programs, individual instruction, as well as a rigorous customized training program for junior golfers looking to one day become a pro like those we all watch on the LPGA and PGA tours today. Whether your child is looking for a new after-school activity, or already sports around a green blazer in hopes of one day wearing one like a PGA TOUR pro will don this Sunday at the Masters in Augusta, we’ve got a junior golf program to satisfy their needs.

Here are a list of our Junior Golf programs. If something interests you, don’t hesitate to click the contact us button at the bottom of this post and inquire about one of our amazing programs your child is sure to enjoy.

SUMMER JUNIOR CAMPS

*** 2013 Camps Almost Full!***

The Summer Junior Golf Camps are a great way for junior golfers to take their game to the next level. Whether they are a recreational golfer, or a competitive junior golfer with the goal of earning a college scholarship on the horizon, our ANNIKA Academy team can meet their needs in a fun and challenging environment.

Experienced/Advanced

Annika with Summer Junior Golf Campers

• Full Swing with Video Swing Analysis
• Club fitting in Callaway Performance Center
• Short Game- putting, chipping, pitching & bunker
• Rules & Etiquette Session
• Planning & How to Practice Session
• Skills Challenge
• Fitness & Nutrition Sessions
• Tournament Round Preparation Clinic
• Play 9 holes with instructors each day
• Junior 18 Holes Tournament on final day
• Closing Presentation, Thank You, Awards & Photos

Intermediate/Beginner

• Full Swing with Video Swing Analysis
• Short Game- putting, chipping, pitching & bunker
• Rules & Etiquette Session
• Planning & How to Practice Session
• Skills Challenge

ELITE PROGRAM

ELITE Team Member, Rachel Liu (13), after he first tournament.

The ANNIKA Academy Elite Training Program is specifically designed to help aspiring golfers achieve their goals both on the course and in life. By utilizing our instructors’ expertise and winning approach, we will educate and inspire golfers to reach their full potential.

This is a rigorous program that is only for players looking to become successful at the collegiate level or in a professional career. The program can be administered over a three, six, nine or 12-month period and is open to males and females.

Meet “Team ELITE”

JUNIOR HOUR

Children and teens ages 6-17 will enjoy this golf program designed to introduce them to the game of golf, or strengthen their existing fundamentals with the ANNIKA Academy’s “Winning Approach.” This philosophy is used with all of our guests, and teaches the same fundamentals that made Annika a legend. Junior golfers of all skill levels will benefit from and enjoy this program. This program is available a la carte, allowing parents to choose the number of Junior Hour sessions right for their son or daughter. PLUS! Every Junior Hour participant will receive a free online lesson for every session attended to be redeemed on a monthly basis.

• Offered Mon. – Fri. from 4-5pm daily
• $49 per guest, per daily session
• 1 hour instruction
• 1 month online membership
• Golf may be purchased at ANNIKA Academy preferred rate (Based on availability and the cart driver must be at least 16 years of age.)

INDIVIDUAL INSTRUCTION

Our team of expert instructors at the ANNIKA Academy are equipped with skills to train, coach, and bring the best out of any player. They all come with incredible bios and have worked with the likes of some of the best on both past and current PGA and LPGA tours. Each instructor applies the “Winning Approach” that Annika used during her career. Rates and availability vary for each instructor. Learn more about them here, and inquire by using the contact us button at the bottom of this page.

For More Information on our Junior Golf Programs…

Call Us Today at 1-888-266-4522

or use our

Contact Us Form

Because of my experiences at the ANNIKA Academy, I have truly reshaped and I am hitting the ball a LOT farther and now I am addicted and won’t give up my weight workout. I just wanted to let you know you made a difference in my life. I golf 3 to 4 times a week and I walk with caddies at least 3 times a week. I would never been able to do this without the workout and nutrition elements the ANNIKA Academy offers.

– J. McDonald

Beyond the golf instruction, fitness routines, and nutritional seminars we are more proud that all of our guests have become our “friends for life.” We strive to make lasting relationships with our guests and enjoy staying in touch and hearing about their success after they return home.   We feel so passionately about our approach, and are happy to be sharing that with the world every day at the ANNIKA Academy.

I just can’t say enough good things about my experience at The ANNIKA Academy™. It is a first class operation from top to bottom. It is designed to make you feel really special no matter what level of golf skill you possess. Everyone treats you like you are part of Annika’s family and that treatment continues long after your instruction is over.”

– H. DeMartini

To celebrate our friends for life around the world and the anniversary of the ANNIKA Academy, we are hosting a sweepstakes – the ANNIKA Academy 5yr Anniversary Celebration presented by Callaway. Golf enthusiasts  can enter to win one of 84 incredible prizes including one grand prize where the winner will enjoy a weekend stay at the beautiful Reunion Resort near Orlando, Florida and visit the ANNIKA Academy to get outfitted with the latest Callaway gear and play 9-holes with the legend who inspired it all, Annika.

No purchase necessary to enter, and it’s open to everyone 21 and older.

CLICK the image below to enter!