| Just the other day I was on the range working out a | | | | But only if you maintain or increase this angle on the |
| few misdeeds that my swing had slipped in to. When | | | | move down toward the ball. So try it. Very slowly |
| I noticed a youngest fellow ( I live in Florida under 60 | | | | move this angle down toward the ball without losing |
| is young) on the range with what appeared to be a | | | | it. Maintain this lag all the way to the ball. At some |
| very nice golf swing. One that appeared that golf | | | | point your hands will not allow this angle to exist any |
| instruction and him were not strangers. | | | | longer and you will release the club. But this happens |
| A very smooth well balanced swing. Not something | | | | without conscience effort. It's one of the things in |
| you would normally see on our range. At least not | | | | the golf swing that you have to trust to happen. |
| from a person you had never seen before. | | | | For some, moving this angle down toward the ball |
| So I watched. | | | | without losing the angle will not be easy. I know that. |
| I knew he hit it well, but couldn't quite see the | | | | So no worries try anyway. And keep trying. This will |
| trajectory or the distance. So I wandered over that | | | | show you how the lag is supposed to look and feel. |
| way. I never interrupt someones practice so I stayed | | | | Now just for the heck of it, let's see what most |
| well back from him. | | | | golfers really do in the downswing. |
| I was almost shocked to note that he was so slight | | | | So back to the position where the shaft was straight |
| of build I thought perhaps he was sick. But, I relaxed | | | | up and your left arm was parallel with the ground. |
| that thought as I continued to witness the smooth | | | | Without moving your arms, release the club out |
| and repeating transition that he was making in his golf | | | | away from you with your hands so that the club is |
| swing. No body could be anything but healthy with | | | | now in a straight line with your left arm. And pointing |
| that move. So I suppose he was just a skinny kid. | | | | straight back along the target line. Not out in front of |
| The one thing that began to stand out now as I | | | | you. |
| watched not 20 yards away, was that he had | | | | Hold it. |
| tremendous "pop" in his swing. This provided a crisp | | | | This is an early release. A major power drain. And a |
| hit and a pro like trajectory. In addition it proved that | | | | very tough position to get the club back to the ball. |
| a slight of build golfer can hit it a long long way. | | | | This position requires a huge effort with your body |
| Which, by the way, was just what this young fellow | | | | to get to the ball with any power. It can be done. |
| was doing. | | | | But it is not something that normal people can do. |
| What was it that he was doing that you don't? | | | | So the early release is exactly the opposite of the " |
| There is an easy answer. | | | | Lag" |
| LAG... | | | | The early release is exactly what it says, an early |
| Yep, it's lag. It's the same lag that Sergio Garcia does | | | | release of your power angles. |
| so well. It's the same lag that Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, | | | | To prevent this, you must be totally aware of the |
| Ben Hogan and your club pro has. | | | | angles, but first you must create them. |
| It's the same lag that most high handicap players are | | | | Good players create them, but only after much |
| not even aware of. It's the lag that you are about to | | | | practice. |
| learn how to do. | | | | So here is a great drill. |
| Excited? | | | | Take the club into your backswing. Make sure you |
| Let's try to get you to see and feel the lag first and | | | | have good angles. Now bump your left hip |
| then we'll get to how to get it in your actual swing. | | | | laterally,while at the same time drop your right elbow |
| Grab a club and a ball. Take your really great grip, no | | | | to your right hip. |
| weak left hands, no super strong right hands, please. | | | | Do not go to the ball and do not release your angle |
| You cannot do this with a compromised grip. | | | | or your lag. Do this several times. Each time do it a |
| Now set up to the ball, with your right hand push | | | | tad faster. |
| against your left hand enough so that your right hand | | | | Bump and drop. Bump and drop. Feel the angles, feel |
| begins to bend back toward your right forearm. | | | | the lag. A very very powerful position. |
| Allow this to happen. Now moving your shoulders | | | | This is not two moves it is two things done at |
| only, no conscience movement of the hands or arms, | | | | exactly the same time. A great drill if you do it right, |
| just let them go along for the ride. | | | | and very simple. |
| Take the swing just far enough so that the shaft is | | | | It will teach you how to start the swing down on the |
| straight up and down and your left arm is parallel to | | | | correct plane and how to feel the lag that creates so |
| the ground. Stop right there. | | | | much power. |
| Note the angle between your left arm and the | | | | This is where your distance lives. Lag. |
| clubshaft. It should be about 90 degrees. | | | | Now you know. |
| This angle is the lag. | | | | A simple move, and you will hit it like magic. |