DOWNSWING-RELEASE
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The only other change I made was to make sure my first move is to swing the club downward with both arms swinging the club head at the ball and allowing my body to freely follow through. Note in the image that I am swinging down with both arms and my right shoulder is staying back. It is like an under hand throwing motion with the right hand and arm. Your left hip of course will turn out of the way allowing your arms and hands to swing through the ball.
Forget about the so called delayed release. Release the club as you are swinging down or swinging the club head at the ball. Do not try to hold your wrists cocked until they are waist high as some instructors will advise to gain distance. I believe this will reduce distance and accuracy. As long as your body is turning (turning not swaying) towards the target and you are have shifted to the left side you will not be casting the club. Release the club immediately on the downswing for more distance. When I say release the club immediately I am not saying to throw your wrists out to start the swing. Just let the hands and wrists go naturally. It only makes since that the sooner you release the club the more club head speed you will build when making impact with the ball. You can generate more speed from a longer swing than you can with a short swing, so release the club immediately. Just let it go.
What actually happens on the downswing is the sequence of motion is from the ground up. First you shift your weight to your left leg, and at almost the same time you start the swing down with your arms, then your hips start turning to the left. This will happen naturally the same as throwing a ball when you start your down swing of the club. Do not put conscience thought to the sequence. Just let it happen naturally the same as throwing a ball.
Do not allow your head to get in front of the ball on your downswing as demonstrated in the image below. Your head must stay behind the ball until after contact. Moving your head forward on the downswing will remove all power from your swing. Moving your head forward on the down swing is a major power leak.
Physic studies has proven that arm speed produces almost 85% toward club head speed. Body motion produces approximately 14% toward club head speed. Body mass (weight) contributes less than 1% toward club head speed. It is a myth that club head speed is produced by the big muscles that move the arms. This is per scientific proof that contradicts many golf instructors that tell you to hit the ball with the big muscles for more distance. Your arms, hands and wrists are swinging and controlling the club not your torso or back muscles.
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Many golf instructors will advise to start the downswing by bumping or turning your hips. The purpose is to get you to your left side and not to hit off your right foot what is called a reverse pivot. But, by moving or bumping my hips with the driver I would usually get way ahead of myself which left the club head open at contact. I try to let the movement to the left happen naturally the same as throwing a ball underhanded. If you start your downswing with bumping your hips towards the target make sure it is a slight movement. To much body movement in your swing produces a big slice because your body gets out ahead of the arms and hands. When this happens your club head is usually wide open causing the slice.
I have found through trial and error that I can generate more club head speed by swinging down or swinging the club head with both arms to start the down swing. It makes sense that if 85% of club head speed is generated by the muscles of the arms and shoulders you must concentrate on your arm speed to hit it long. Your sub conscience mind will know that to generate power your swing will have to start from the feet up and make the correct movements to support a powerful swing towards the ball.
Swinging down or a throwing motion of the arms will allow your lower body to respond correctly. It is, as stated above, like throwing a ball underhanded or sidearm, your feet, legs and body will follow naturally if you let it. Physics state that if the forearm muscles are applied at .06 seconds before impact this will produce the maximum club head velocity possible at impact. To me, this feels like a total release of the hands and wrist while swinging down with the arms. Almost like snapping the club head into the ball. Make sure you totally release the club through impact. On my practice swings and actual swings I will at times allow the club to hit me in the back just to make sure I have totally released the club through impact. I believe the body follows the arms if you want to generate more club head speed. If you follow and practice these instructions you will absolutely kill the ball. The above changes added 50 yards or more to my best drives.
Ray is also the Webmaster of "Golf Swings", which has drawn millions of viewers since 1998.
Visit Ray's great friend Steve Griffith's site at http://golflongdriver.com/ebook.html for the best ebook ever written on hitting the ball long at any age. Steve was World Champion in 2005!
