How to Hit a Long Drive: Natural Lag vs. Forced Lag Part 1

[secretogolf]

I noticed in a slomo of Freddy Couples that he lags the club through wonderfully and naturally,yet in watching and stopping the video at impact a bunch of times I noticed he absolutely had his right hand move torwards the target,smashing the head into the back of the ball.His right hand was almost in line with his forearm,while his very strong left hand grip was hard to analyze was flat in my opinion.Is there any advantage to using the rear hand to add club head speed in the impact zone?

[hititlong]

@secretogolf

A big no to this. This is the problem with modern golf instruction. People think they can take a slomo video of an all time great and reproduce and split second movement. I am not trying to be a jerk to you as you asked me an honest question, but think about how ridiculous it would be to make an effort to produce this. You want to purposely produce a natural movement that you had to use a slmo and watch several times?

[secretogolf]

@hititlong No offense taken,just thought it was a bit unusual and your right about camera actions since angles can cause all types of misunderstandings.What are your feelings on the hands role at mpact,are they just passing through?

Thanks

[hititlong]

@secretogolf

If the arms are properly connected to the turn, the hands will do exactly what they are supposed to.

[hititlong]

@jcsoxx....excellent

[jcsoxx]

What the message should be, turn the hips fast and release the lag early or you will block the shot. Big lag + fast hips + early release = 300+

[earthshine2k]

Nicklaus said 'you can't release the club too early as long as you're moving into your left side', because that's what he FELT. Nicklaus lagged the clubhead and stressed the shaft as well as anyone who's ever played the game. That said, I don't recommend the average weekend player try to 'release' the club immediately from the top. But, you're right, don't try to create lag artificially, either.

[hititlong]

@secret...Yes, Nicklaus did say that. Any pulling of the handle is going to get you in trouble. The sequence is this. The club sets, the front hip moves laterally, then everything turns together as the club releases. If you pull the handle, the club face will be open and/or your arc will narrow too much and that will generally cause a block, or a pivot stall and flip hook.

[secretogolf]

I hear everything your saying.I just want to check one thing.I thought Nicklaus said you can't release to earlyonce you shift your weight to the front foot.Now does that differ at all when you mention doing that and turning your hips also.Won't the hips naturally turn with a weight shift to the left foot and then pulling the handle through or turning your shoulders/back=all in sequence.I just hate turning my hips without making a move with the shaft involved,it feels to contrived.

[TheNYgolfer]

This method is what Homer Kelley in the Golfing Machine called SWINGING. It utilizes physics (centrifugal force) to create clubhead speed. He calls it the "law of the flail" in his book.The key to this swing is to understand that the hands DO NOT ADD POWER. All the power comes from utilizing centrifugal force which throws the clubhead out and accelerates it by a factor of 5 by the time it reaches the ball.A tight grip is a sure KILLER.Hold the club lightly,like holding a small bird in your hands

[tmcg888]

There is seven minutes of my life I will never get back...

[secretogolf]

What you are saying is correct,with the acception of the Nicklaus quote and I just checked Golf My Way,he says,"You can never release too early once you have moved your weight to the left side." big difference.If you release early without the weight shift you are over the top.Everything you say about lag is correct,but since most amateurs flip at the ball they have to have understanding of lag and the handle leading the club head.

[maddogmoloney72]

THIS IS GREAT STUFF , THANKS