I really like the thought of “Smooth and controlled” in the transition for tempo purposes. Even if your positions are not mechanically sound, a player with good hand eye can find the ball if they are not rushing or quick. Here is a drill for tempo.
1)Take your address position with a 7 iron, and lose most of the tension in your shoulders, arms and wrists.
2) Take the club to the top of the swing, stop, and just let it fall to the ground. Feel what it is like to let gravity work for you. Do not hit any balls, just let it fall.
3) Next find a target thats about half the distance you can hit the 7 iron and tee a ball up.
4) Hit shots using a 3/4 swing and focus on letting the club “fall” from the top of the swing.
5) Many people who are upper core players rush the transition and throw their trail arm and shoulder out and over the top.
On the other hand, many players who are lower core rush the transition with their legs and get “stuck” in transition.
Another area of transition that is very important is the “plane” of your transition. Players with overly steep or shallow transitions will hit a variety of disaster shots. So here is a tip, and you can combine the first drill with this one if you like.
1) Tee up a 7 iron and take your backswing and stop at the top.
2) Next, practice taking the “butt end” of the grip toward the ball to initiate the transition.
3) Just move it a few inches and “pump” it a few times before you hit the ball.
4) Do not worry about contact at first. Focus on motions.
In closing, if your transition plane and tempo is solid, you will definitely tske your ball strikining to another level.