I go to the range quite often and now that I know that I need to work on this drill, do I just go there and don’t hit full/proper shots till I master this or can I also hit full shots? Thanks.
Our mutual friend Sean Pinnell is tinkering with his swing as we often do ourselves but in this case he has picked up the so called Stack & Tilt method which is built in part in making little or no head movement on the backswing ann requires that one hits down on the ball and takes the same depth of divot. I work next to him and clearly see a resulting reverse C finish. Would like a comment from you which I will show him. You had him hitting great 320 yard shots and shooting even par with a controlled draw now he is hitting fades often.
If you beg we will take you back, that is, after we are allowed to hit golf balls at you while you are standing in the middle of the range (yes, we will let you wear a helmet).
Can you do this drill in the house or the backyard with the weighted momentus swing trainer? Would that be a way to stretch out your arms also? .. Marc Rosen
Please do not use the impact bag at impact. If you do you are trying to hit the ball. I way you to swing through the ball. This does not mean this is no a useful training aid. Just move it about 2 feet in front of the ball and try to hit it with both arms extended. This is the way to use this device.
Older golfer, with big hands, this winter I had the new jumbo grips installed on all my clubs, I also have problems with some of my fingers on my right hand, and I am right handed. I used too build up my grips with 5 wraps on the largest grips the pro shop sold.
What I am now wondering if I could be changing the take away were my wrist are not bending the same way they should with a normal grip that comes with a new driver or irons, I have a three wood that I did not change the grip, and I am able too hit the ball.
The wider the grip the slower the hand action. Typically, when people put larger grip on their clubs they leave it out to the right (right handers). It may take purposely rolling them to get it releasing.
I have not hard of larger grips affecting the takeaway. I want you taking the club away with your shoulders with the arms and club as an extension of from your shoulders.
If you like those wider grip then keep using them just realize that if you are hitting it right they may be the cause. If so, you will have to manually release it until you have trained them to release it on their own.
I play with a lot of scratch players who know my work ethic and are ofter on the practice range with me. They are very very long 300++ and of course this registers in my mind as I see the distance and am about 75-100 yards behind them. I allow for age difference but cannot help sometimes trying to hit the ball for more distance. I cuss myself and say aloud powerless arms dummy slow down powerless arms are slipping a way etc etc. This leads to quesions about powerless arms and here is the problem – all of these scratch long hitters hit the ball or think they are hitting the ball they argue with me that as long as I simply turn and swing the distance will never be much more than 200 yards and that I will have to hit harder with the upper body especially the chest and shoulders in my downswing. I don’t listen as my game improves all the time and I am ofter over 200 yards however I would like you to think about a video using the stat tracker you have added to show your distance with a driver. 10-12 shots with the drive should do the job would like to show my dudes your length all done with powerless arms verses their hitting the ball as hard as they can. I preach that they are simply moving their hips faster but they do no agree.
Can you help me with a strong set of stats to back up powerless arms concept. I am no going to change in either case but I will give up the argument if they are proven correct.
Although I am not trying to hit it or help it in any way with my arms I am really moving my lower body as I hit the ball. So to gain more power you need to increase your rotational speed as well. If you have not done this for very long you are not good at it. You need to be doing these drills as much as possible.
I was going through the various tips you posted about the release and ultimately found this one. I must say it didn’t catch my eyes earlier, probably because the title did not appeal. Well, this one is awesome. It’s been a while I was struggling with my arms extension, impossible to get rid of a slight but very obvious contraction in the impact area. I went through like you said : 3/4 swings, ball on a tee, 8 iron. 2 buckets concentrating on getting the club to target, arms fully extended. Great stuff, and I will continue to work on it. When I tried that on the course, at least I could hit 3-4 almost perfect iron shots, feeling for the very first time my arms fully extended short after impact (feeling with the right arm is unmistakeable), solid contact and a tiny divot.
This drill won’t lieave my dashboard now.
Last thing I wanted to tell : this drill is much more valuable for me than the previous I tried (going from A to B), probable because subconciously, for me point B drives me to anticipate the follow-through position, hence contracting my arms. This drill is, according to me, much more interesting, because if I concentrate on this “intermediate” position, inertia will put me to the follow-through position almost automatically (at least with full swing). Great stuff anyway.
Glad you found this tip. This is a huge part of the swing especially if you are doing a chicken wing. Just keep doing it and getting used to the strange feeling of full extension. If you do, this strange feeling will go way in no time and you will maximum your arc creating both clubhead speed and consistency.
Hi Pierre. Exactly the same for me. Going to B makes me often contract the arms, (“cutting the ball”) but extending after impact gets me automatically to the touch thehead position and makes it easier to get solid contact because I’m still thinking beyond the ball. Its great 🙂
Not sure what you are asking but your arms are fully stretch out to maximum the width of the arc. A chicken wing would be pulling the club closer to you.
You can use anything when you play but just release that if you are thinking mechanics out on the course I wouldn’t expect every shot to be great. I would be expecting bad shots as well. What you would be doing is looking for some good shots. This is what is coming if you keep doing what you are working on. It’s best to do things like this when you play by yourself late at night with extra golf balls in your pocket.
Paul,
When I was watching this tip the other day, something clicked that I never realized before: if you are using “powerless arms,” the force generated from your legs and lower body would naturally “stretch” your arms straight. I did some practice swings, and immediately realized that the somewhat “fickle” feeling of “powerless arms” was easier to recognize. I have a swing meter on a practice driver, and I saw my swing speeds going up almost immediately (to 92.5, but still short of the magical 100 mark I’ve been shooting for). I then went out to the range, and with the same feeling of my arms being “stretched” by the power from my lower body, hit the best bucket of balls I think I have ever hit — farthest shots and also the most consistent.
I thought you would be interested in hearing about this, since it fits so well into your “powerless arms” method. Thanks for “staying on message,” and for keeping the rest of us “on message” as well.
This is what I have said in the past. See your arms as string. If you turn your body the mass (club) would pull the string to its widest point 100% of the time. As you let the arms go the club pulling the arms out makes the club feel extremely heavy. This is the tell-tale sign you are doing it right.
Glad you see. Keep feeling this and in no time you will get used to it.
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25 Responses to “Drill: Stretch Out Your Arms for Power and Consistency”
November 21, 2012
HermanKohHi Paul,
I go to the range quite often and now that I know that I need to work on this drill, do I just go there and don’t hit full/proper shots till I master this or can I also hit full shots? Thanks.
Herman
March 30, 2014
GeraldJoyceHey Paul,
Our mutual friend Sean Pinnell is tinkering with his swing as we often do ourselves but in this case he has picked up the so called Stack & Tilt method which is built in part in making little or no head movement on the backswing ann requires that one hits down on the ball and takes the same depth of divot. I work next to him and clearly see a resulting reverse C finish. Would like a comment from you which I will show him. You had him hitting great 320 yard shots and shooting even par with a controlled draw now he is hitting fades often.
Best regards Jay Jay
March 30, 2014
Paul WilsonGerald,
Here is my reply …
Good Luck Sean.
If you beg we will take you back, that is, after we are allowed to hit golf balls at you while you are standing in the middle of the range (yes, we will let you wear a helmet).
March 31, 2014
GeraldJoyceGreat thanks Jay Jay
July 26, 2014
marcrosenCan you do this drill in the house or the backyard with the weighted momentus swing trainer? Would that be a way to stretch out your arms also? .. Marc Rosen
July 27, 2014
Paul WilsonMarc,
I want you always doing practice swings around the house. This is the best way to practice. So, yes do this.
Watch:
How To Do Practice Swings At Home: https://ignitiongolf.com/practice-swings-home/
Get Addicted to Doing Practice Swings: https://ignitiongolf.com/addicted-practice-swings/
July 26, 2014
LuxingYeThanks Paul!
I just bought an impact bag and I am wondering if I can use that for some kind of drill at home to improve. Thanks!
July 27, 2014
Paul WilsonLuxing,
Please do not use the impact bag at impact. If you do you are trying to hit the ball. I way you to swing through the ball. This does not mean this is no a useful training aid. Just move it about 2 feet in front of the ball and try to hit it with both arms extended. This is the way to use this device.
Here is the point to move it to:
How to Release the Golf Club: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-wrist-release
July 28, 2014
LuxingYeThanks for the advice! I will try that!
July 28, 2014
mikemooneyHello Paul,
Older golfer, with big hands, this winter I had the new jumbo grips installed on all my clubs, I also have problems with some of my fingers on my right hand, and I am right handed. I used too build up my grips with 5 wraps on the largest grips the pro shop sold.
What I am now wondering if I could be changing the take away were my wrist are not bending the same way they should with a normal grip that comes with a new driver or irons, I have a three wood that I did not change the grip, and I am able too hit the ball.
July 29, 2014
Paul WilsonMike,
The wider the grip the slower the hand action. Typically, when people put larger grip on their clubs they leave it out to the right (right handers). It may take purposely rolling them to get it releasing.
I have not hard of larger grips affecting the takeaway. I want you taking the club away with your shoulders with the arms and club as an extension of from your shoulders.
One Piece Takeaway: https://ignitiongolf.com/master-one-piece-takeaway
If you like those wider grip then keep using them just realize that if you are hitting it right they may be the cause. If so, you will have to manually release it until you have trained them to release it on their own.
July 28, 2014
GeraldJoyceHey Paul,
I play with a lot of scratch players who know my work ethic and are ofter on the practice range with me. They are very very long 300++ and of course this registers in my mind as I see the distance and am about 75-100 yards behind them. I allow for age difference but cannot help sometimes trying to hit the ball for more distance. I cuss myself and say aloud powerless arms dummy slow down powerless arms are slipping a way etc etc. This leads to quesions about powerless arms and here is the problem – all of these scratch long hitters hit the ball or think they are hitting the ball they argue with me that as long as I simply turn and swing the distance will never be much more than 200 yards and that I will have to hit harder with the upper body especially the chest and shoulders in my downswing. I don’t listen as my game improves all the time and I am ofter over 200 yards however I would like you to think about a video using the stat tracker you have added to show your distance with a driver. 10-12 shots with the drive should do the job would like to show my dudes your length all done with powerless arms verses their hitting the ball as hard as they can. I preach that they are simply moving their hips faster but they do no agree.
Can you help me with a strong set of stats to back up powerless arms concept. I am no going to change in either case but I will give up the argument if they are proven correct.
Best regards,
Jay Jay
July 29, 2014
Paul WilsonJay Jay,
I posted my actual stats for my 4th, 5th and 6th rounds of the year: https://ignitiongolf.com/game-golf-pauls-stats/
Although I am not trying to hit it or help it in any way with my arms I am really moving my lower body as I hit the ball. So to gain more power you need to increase your rotational speed as well. If you have not done this for very long you are not good at it. You need to be doing these drills as much as possible.
DO THESE DRILLS NIGHTLY:
DRILL: Lag Ear to Ear: https://ignitiongolf.com/lag-release-drill
And:
DRILL: Swing Off Ground: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-swing-off-ground
DRILL: Listen to Club Swinging: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-listen-to-club
DRILL Lift Then Hit: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-lift-hit/
DRILL Lift Heel For 2 Weeks: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-lift-heel-2-weeks/
DRILL: Belt Buckle Clubhead: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-belt-buckle-clubhead
You focus on these things and you will gain 30 + yards. You have to do them constantly though. Let’s prove these guys wrong.
December 22, 2015
PierreBourgeoisHi Paul,
I was going through the various tips you posted about the release and ultimately found this one. I must say it didn’t catch my eyes earlier, probably because the title did not appeal. Well, this one is awesome. It’s been a while I was struggling with my arms extension, impossible to get rid of a slight but very obvious contraction in the impact area. I went through like you said : 3/4 swings, ball on a tee, 8 iron. 2 buckets concentrating on getting the club to target, arms fully extended. Great stuff, and I will continue to work on it. When I tried that on the course, at least I could hit 3-4 almost perfect iron shots, feeling for the very first time my arms fully extended short after impact (feeling with the right arm is unmistakeable), solid contact and a tiny divot.
This drill won’t lieave my dashboard now.
Last thing I wanted to tell : this drill is much more valuable for me than the previous I tried (going from A to B), probable because subconciously, for me point B drives me to anticipate the follow-through position, hence contracting my arms. This drill is, according to me, much more interesting, because if I concentrate on this “intermediate” position, inertia will put me to the follow-through position almost automatically (at least with full swing). Great stuff anyway.
December 22, 2015
Paul WilsonPierre,
Glad you found this tip. This is a huge part of the swing especially if you are doing a chicken wing. Just keep doing it and getting used to the strange feeling of full extension. If you do, this strange feeling will go way in no time and you will maximum your arc creating both clubhead speed and consistency.
May 7, 2017
StianOttersenHi Pierre. Exactly the same for me. Going to B makes me often contract the arms, (“cutting the ball”) but extending after impact gets me automatically to the touch thehead position and makes it easier to get solid contact because I’m still thinking beyond the ball. Its great 🙂
May 8, 2017
Paul WilsonStian,
Yes, you need extension to get the touch the head position. Glad you are doing it.
July 16, 2016
StianOttersenCan I use this thought when I’m out playing?
July 16, 2016
StianOttersenAnd the arms should be extended through the torso, right?
July 17, 2016
Paul WilsonStian,
Not sure what you are asking but your arms are fully stretch out to maximum the width of the arc. A chicken wing would be pulling the club closer to you.
July 17, 2016
StianOttersenYes. Just meant that my torso, chest should point in the same direction as the arms since there is pressure under the armpit? 🙂
July 19, 2016
Paul WilsonStian,
Correct.
Did you see this video?
Shoulders At Impact: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-shoulders/
July 17, 2016
Paul WilsonStian,
You can use anything when you play but just release that if you are thinking mechanics out on the course I wouldn’t expect every shot to be great. I would be expecting bad shots as well. What you would be doing is looking for some good shots. This is what is coming if you keep doing what you are working on. It’s best to do things like this when you play by yourself late at night with extra golf balls in your pocket.
September 3, 2016
garymeyersPaul,
When I was watching this tip the other day, something clicked that I never realized before: if you are using “powerless arms,” the force generated from your legs and lower body would naturally “stretch” your arms straight. I did some practice swings, and immediately realized that the somewhat “fickle” feeling of “powerless arms” was easier to recognize. I have a swing meter on a practice driver, and I saw my swing speeds going up almost immediately (to 92.5, but still short of the magical 100 mark I’ve been shooting for). I then went out to the range, and with the same feeling of my arms being “stretched” by the power from my lower body, hit the best bucket of balls I think I have ever hit — farthest shots and also the most consistent.
I thought you would be interested in hearing about this, since it fits so well into your “powerless arms” method. Thanks for “staying on message,” and for keeping the rest of us “on message” as well.
Gary Meyers
September 4, 2016
Paul WilsonGary,
This is what I have said in the past. See your arms as string. If you turn your body the mass (club) would pull the string to its widest point 100% of the time. As you let the arms go the club pulling the arms out makes the club feel extremely heavy. This is the tell-tale sign you are doing it right.
Glad you see. Keep feeling this and in no time you will get used to it.