Dynamics of Speed

Good players make hitting the ball a long way look easy because they work with the laws of physics and understand the importance of inspiring a motion that features ‘lag’ and a whiplash effect that accelerates the clubhead through the ball. Inherent in this action is a flexibility and athleticism that emanates directly from the set-up div>

‘SOFT’, SUPPLE ARMS ADD TO ATHLETICISM
 

If I handed you a tennis ball and asked you to throw it as far as you could my bet is that you would hold the ball fairly lightly in your hand so as to keep your throwing arm relaxed – after all, you want that arm to generate the maximum speed possible as you wind and unwind your body in the act of making the throw.
 

Exactly the same principle holds true in golf. With a driver in your hands, you want to hold the club in such a way that you leave your arms and shoulders as relaxed and flexible as you can, so that in the process of winding and unwinding your body to create a golf swing you reap the benefit of the ‘lag’ and the recoil that accelerates the golf club through the ball at impact. Any sign of tension and that fluidity of motion, that natural physical dynamic, is going to be diminished.

 

 

 LEFT KNEE, HIP & SHOULDER LEAD THE WAY BACK TO THE BALL

Creating and maintaining resistance in the lower body is vital in the process of winding your torso and ‘loading’ your backswing with energy. The knees play a significant role in stabilising this rotation and maintaining the ‘level’s of a good swing. One way to experience this is to rehearse making your backswing with your right heel raised half an inch off the ground. In a good posture, this has the effect of really engaging the right knee and thigh as you shift your weight across and on to the right side while simultaneously coiling your upper body.

 

 

LEFT KNEE, HIP & SHOULDER LEAD THE WAY BACK TO THE BALL
 

One of the most significant areas that I want to highlight in this feature is the ‘separation’ of the left shoulder away from the chin at the start of the downswing. I’ve always been a huge fan of Nick Faldo’s swing and his teaching and this has always been an area that he maintains as being critical in the correct sequence from the top of the backswing.

 

The separation of the left shoulder away from the chin at the start of the downswing is one of the critical moves in a solid and dynamic golf swing. As the left knee and left shoulder pull away together, so the unit of the arms and the club drops to the inside. The elasticated cord that I am using is called a Power Release, and is one of several training products available through a new website www.sportstechlab.com

 FEEL THE POWER WHIP...AND SPEED YOUR WAY TO A BALANCED FINISH

Ben Hogan famously wrote that when it came to the moment of truth in the golf swing – the area through impact – he wished he had two right hands. The legendary ball striker was referring to the wonderful sensation you get when you use your body correctly, rotating and clearing out of the way so the final burst of speed can be applied to the back of the ball. Two right hands, twice the power!

Engage your ‘core’ muscles as you wind up for a powerful swish Hold the ‘lag’ in your right wrist until the last possible moment... ...and unwind all the way through to finish facing your target

 

This re-hinge is a vital component of a sound wrist action – and vital for maximum clubhead speed through the ball. Momentum of the clubhead pulls your right shoulder/torso all the way to a full finish.... ...recoil adds the finishing touch to a fully committed swing

 This is a critical element of good swing technique as it confirms the symmetry that exists either side of the ball and also reflects the fact that a player has released the club fully and freely.

With a driver, you want to feel that you unwind so fast you are pulled all the way around to a finish. Some players do this with such a force they recoil from the follow-through into a pull-back position as they watch the flight of the ball. I always used to love the way Nick Price did this. It was his trademark.