Practice swing

Question
QUESTION: Eddie,
Do you have any advice for me on how to hold onto the angle that's created
between my forearm and clubshaft on my downswing?  I've known for a while
that this issue is causing me to lose distance and better contact.  When I
compare frame-by-frame video of my practice swing without a ball vs. a real
swing with a ball, it's amazing how early i lose my angles on the real  swing.  
Is this a mental thing?  Is there something I can practice to help?  I've tried
practicing half/three-quarter swings, which I can do properly without losing
lag.  But on the full swing, I always go back to the old one.

ANSWER: Hi Bruce:

Common, you're not alone.  It's always easier to do it in practice swings...for me as well.  But, you must push through and learn how to do it correctly when it's for real.  The answer to the problem is you are using your hands way too soon in the downswing in an effort to get the clubhead to the ball.  This could be your attempt at power, or contact, or trying to square the face, or whatever it is you are trying to do.  Hard part about this is you would probably tell me you aren't trying to do anything, you're just swinging.  BUT, THAT IS NOT TRUE because the shaft angle tells you so.  So what you need to do is this.  From the top of the backswing, allow your arms to fall.  The further you can let your arms fall into the downswing before using your hands, the better the angle is kept.  So if you are wanting to produce "lag", then you must use your hands later in the downswing. When the hands get involved too early, they throw the clubhead towards the ball.  In the video, that is what you see as losing that shaft angle.  If you would allow your arms (concentrate on upper arm to forearm area) to swing more forward into the hitting area before using your hands, then that angle must be kept longer.  As always, if you need help with this, get together with a respected PGA Pro in your area.  But, you should be able to take it easy, go through tons of rehearsal swings, and then hit some balls.  Start with small clubs at first see how far into the downswing you can get before you have to "release it".  Best of luck.  Ask if you have questions.

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member  











---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the super-fast reply!  How much does strength play into
someone's ability to hold onto the release?

ANSWER: Bruce:

Zero!  Use more of your arms and less of your hands.  It takes zero strength to swing your arms.  It just takes momentum.  At some point in your downswing Bruce, gravity will take over and you'll have to use your hands.  The point of all this is that you don't try to hold onto any angle.  Properly done, it just happens.  The more you try to keep an angle, the more you'll top it and hit it to the right.  

Eddie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok so would you say my hands and/or wrists
should be more loose than death-grip firm?  
I've got it in my mind that lag would be held
via strength, so it sounds like it's more about
tempo and momentum.

By the way, thanks for the responses on the
labor day weekend.  

Answer
Bruce:

Absolutely, in fact, you should make some swings holding onto the club as lightly as you can.  Not loose, just light.  It's amazing what you'd feel.  You'll feel your arms swing more that is for sure.  It does not take any strength to actually swing a club.  

Eddie