This tip is actually about lag, as the title indicates. I hope everyone has had a great holiday and I’m sure we all look forward to 2015 with confidence in our ability to improve our golf!
I video taped my swing recently and found out 2 flaws :
1) At impact my hips is more than 45 degrees open and my back leg is coming off the ground a bit too much. I am not slicing the ball but I suspect I don’t have enough lag. At least it is telling me that my lower body is starting the downswing. I know how to fix the lag problem but how do I fix the hips opening up too much at impact and what is this flaw causing to my swing?
2) My right hand at the release point is bent and never gets to straight but my left hand is straight at impact. How do I fix this right hand problem? It is so frustrating trying to straighten the right hand and I have done countless drills to straighten this right hand up but it still does not want to straighten at the release point.
All you have to do to slow down the lower body is hit about 20 shots not lifting the back heel at all through impact. So hit it flat footed then lift it after you have hit the ball and making your way to the follow through.
You should be trying to get your hips well open as you hit the ball (upwards of 45 degrees). The only I don’t like is lifting the back heel too much as you hit the ball. 3-4 inches with irons 5-6 inches with woods.
If you totally let your arms go (powerless) the club would stretch out to the widest point 100% of the time. If it is not looking like mine then you are using your arms and creating some resistance. This is simple physics. The mass will always want to swing to its widest point if you let it.
As the club approached impact they would be in this position. Then they release and fully extend at the release point which is after impact. Lag just takes constant and consistent work. Lag and release as I show in this tip.
Paul ,We’ve discussed the following subject several times already ,but I keep coming back on it :the great golfer ,TOMMY ARMOUR ,”THE SILVER SCOT “was said to have very powerful hands.Does it make sense to use the hands “intentionnally “to speed up the release ?In the BASQUE region where I learned golf ,the local BASQUE people play “pelota “,a game where you do use your wrists and hands a lot .When they play golf ,they use very much their hands also (See how JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL and SEVE BALLESTEROS played !).However as a consequence, their shots, though being long ,did stray off course quite often (BALLESTEROS was famous for his strayed shots and subsequent recoveries !).I don’t use my hands and wrists at all ,I let them loose as you teach :therefore I’m always straight but lack distance. I find difficult to have both accuracy and distance at the same time !
I don’t want you to use the hands. If you do you run the risk of manipulating the face. Only a few degrees off and you will miss the target.
Keep in mind Tommy Armour was a tour player most likely hitting hundreds of balls a day. You are not and do not.
The other players are/were tour players too. As you know, Seve used to hit it everywhere. His nephew follows my teaching.
You are 80 odd years old and not a huge man. If you can drive the legs harder then do so. If you can keep the wrists looser then do so. I just taught someone today who had no idea how hard and fast I am driving my legs and hips. He was amazed. I keep trying to explain how hard I am doing this. So focus on this. If you want to try the hand then do so. As I said you will hit it everywhere. So the choice is yours … more power or consistency. I know what my choice would be.
Paul
This is a very good tip, and I have down the drill over time; however, the one caution is that it can promote one to want to hit with the arms. So, one has to guard against that temptation to HIT.
Thx,
Glad you liked it and glad you do it but yes everyone need to understand this is a drill. You do this drill to get more lag and a better release but in no way are you hitting with the arms. Hopefully, everyone knows the difference. Unfortunately, there are times when you need to feel arms.
Thanks for all your great tips and effort to make us better golfers.
In the lag and release drill, how important is it to initiate the movement every time with the legs, just as in a real swing? Without doing that, it would seem to reinforce swinging with the arms.
You don’t really have to think about lower body as it’s just the drill to get lag. Once you are not doing the drill you would then be adding legs. Here is an alternate drill that I did a while back. You can also do this one:
Do you ever include a ‘down the line’ version for the good habits? I’d like to use a window/mirror to help me see where I am doing this drill (see where my hands are in relation to my body).
This is a great tip for me, and I’ll start working on it today. I have another question though. I’m a high handicapper but my ball striking is definitely improving. When hitting irons off the fairway, many of them go just left of the target with no hook spin whatever. I’m not lined up facing that way, so it seems it must be the club path is headed slightly left. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
I recently purchased a swing caddy. My clubhead speed with my irons is in the 60s and in the 70s with the driver. I will try to do the lag and release to see if this improves my numbers. Do you have any other suggestions?
Start to loosen up, do some of the roll over drills and get your wrists looser. This alone will start to increase clubhead speed, then start to add some body. You want to be powering your golf club using your legs and hips not your hands and arms. Try this:
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19 Responses to “Good Habits Series – Lag and Release”
December 26, 2014
Steven DThis tip is actually about lag, as the title indicates. I hope everyone has had a great holiday and I’m sure we all look forward to 2015 with confidence in our ability to improve our golf!
December 26, 2014
HermanKohHi Paul,
I video taped my swing recently and found out 2 flaws :
1) At impact my hips is more than 45 degrees open and my back leg is coming off the ground a bit too much. I am not slicing the ball but I suspect I don’t have enough lag. At least it is telling me that my lower body is starting the downswing. I know how to fix the lag problem but how do I fix the hips opening up too much at impact and what is this flaw causing to my swing?
2) My right hand at the release point is bent and never gets to straight but my left hand is straight at impact. How do I fix this right hand problem? It is so frustrating trying to straighten the right hand and I have done countless drills to straighten this right hand up but it still does not want to straighten at the release point.
Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Herman
December 27, 2014
Paul WilsonHerman,
All you have to do to slow down the lower body is hit about 20 shots not lifting the back heel at all through impact. So hit it flat footed then lift it after you have hit the ball and making your way to the follow through.
You should be trying to get your hips well open as you hit the ball (upwards of 45 degrees). The only I don’t like is lifting the back heel too much as you hit the ball. 3-4 inches with irons 5-6 inches with woods.
If you totally let your arms go (powerless) the club would stretch out to the widest point 100% of the time. If it is not looking like mine then you are using your arms and creating some resistance. This is simple physics. The mass will always want to swing to its widest point if you let it.
Have you been doing this drill:
Wide Arc: https://ignitiongolf.com/wide-arc/
Drill – Another Way To Widen The Arc – 3/4 Stretch Arms: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-widen-arc/
DRILL: Try To Hit Chair: https://ignitiongolf.com/try-to-hit-chair/
Maybe its time to do a Skype or video lesson?
January 27, 2017
MichaelBlockPaul,
I feel I was meant to see this clip.
I realize finally on downswing right hands palm is UP completely just before release.
This IMO is the biggest secret. On back swing this is not the case.
Am I on tgo something?
January 29, 2017
Paul WilsonMichael,
As the club approached impact they would be in this position. Then they release and fully extend at the release point which is after impact. Lag just takes constant and consistent work. Lag and release as I show in this tip.
January 28, 2017
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,We’ve discussed the following subject several times already ,but I keep coming back on it :the great golfer ,TOMMY ARMOUR ,”THE SILVER SCOT “was said to have very powerful hands.Does it make sense to use the hands “intentionnally “to speed up the release ?In the BASQUE region where I learned golf ,the local BASQUE people play “pelota “,a game where you do use your wrists and hands a lot .When they play golf ,they use very much their hands also (See how JOSE MARIA OLAZABAL and SEVE BALLESTEROS played !).However as a consequence, their shots, though being long ,did stray off course quite often (BALLESTEROS was famous for his strayed shots and subsequent recoveries !).I don’t use my hands and wrists at all ,I let them loose as you teach :therefore I’m always straight but lack distance. I find difficult to have both accuracy and distance at the same time !
January 29, 2017
Paul WilsonRaymond,
I don’t want you to use the hands. If you do you run the risk of manipulating the face. Only a few degrees off and you will miss the target.
Keep in mind Tommy Armour was a tour player most likely hitting hundreds of balls a day. You are not and do not.
The other players are/were tour players too. As you know, Seve used to hit it everywhere. His nephew follows my teaching.
You are 80 odd years old and not a huge man. If you can drive the legs harder then do so. If you can keep the wrists looser then do so. I just taught someone today who had no idea how hard and fast I am driving my legs and hips. He was amazed. I keep trying to explain how hard I am doing this. So focus on this. If you want to try the hand then do so. As I said you will hit it everywhere. So the choice is yours … more power or consistency. I know what my choice would be.
January 28, 2017
CharlieHussonPaul
This is a very good tip, and I have down the drill over time; however, the one caution is that it can promote one to want to hit with the arms. So, one has to guard against that temptation to HIT.
Thx,
January 29, 2017
Paul WilsonCharlie,
Glad you liked it and glad you do it but yes everyone need to understand this is a drill. You do this drill to get more lag and a better release but in no way are you hitting with the arms. Hopefully, everyone knows the difference. Unfortunately, there are times when you need to feel arms.
January 31, 2017
Bill FreemanHi Paul,
Thanks for all your great tips and effort to make us better golfers.
In the lag and release drill, how important is it to initiate the movement every time with the legs, just as in a real swing? Without doing that, it would seem to reinforce swinging with the arms.
Thanks,
Bill
February 1, 2017
Paul WilsonBill,
You don’t really have to think about lower body as it’s just the drill to get lag. Once you are not doing the drill you would then be adding legs. Here is an alternate drill that I did a while back. You can also do this one:
Lag Drill 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-move-hips-hold-lag/
February 2, 2017
CraigSmithHi Paul!
Do you ever include a ‘down the line’ version for the good habits? I’d like to use a window/mirror to help me see where I am doing this drill (see where my hands are in relation to my body).
Thanks, Craig
February 2, 2017
Paul WilsonCraig,
This wasn’t a tip for down the line as you wouldn’t see the club lag.
Tale a look at these ones:
DRILL: Smooth Wrist Release: https://ignitiongolf.com/smooth-wrist-release/
DRILL: Watch Your Release: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-watch-release/
DRILL: Watch It Roll: https://ignitiongolf.com/watch-it-roll/
DRILL: Grip Down To Feel The Release: https://ignitiongolf.com/grip-down-feel-release/
You can find more by typing in release in the search box.
November 14, 2018
JamesSandersHow do you roll your wrists early and maintain lag
November 16, 2018
Paul WilsonJames,
The roll over drill is a drill to unlock your wrists. You can only get lag with loose wrists. See it now?
July 10, 2022
RichardLangHi Paul,
This is a great tip for me, and I’ll start working on it today. I have another question though. I’m a high handicapper but my ball striking is definitely improving. When hitting irons off the fairway, many of them go just left of the target with no hook spin whatever. I’m not lined up facing that way, so it seems it must be the club path is headed slightly left. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.
July 25, 2022
Paul WilsonYou would want to start working on club path, working on anything to stop the over the top move. Check these out:
Over The Top – To What Degree Are You?: https://ignitiongolf.com/ott-what-degree/
Over The Top – Body Tilt: https://ignitiongolf.com/ott-body-tilt/
Over The Top – Where Are Your Palms Facing?: https://ignitiongolf.com/ott-palms/
Over The Top – Where Is The Butt Pointing?: https://ignitiongolf.com/ott-butt-pointing/
July 13, 2022
TedbelisI recently purchased a swing caddy. My clubhead speed with my irons is in the 60s and in the 70s with the driver. I will try to do the lag and release to see if this improves my numbers. Do you have any other suggestions?
July 25, 2022
Paul WilsonStart to loosen up, do some of the roll over drills and get your wrists looser. This alone will start to increase clubhead speed, then start to add some body. You want to be powering your golf club using your legs and hips not your hands and arms. Try this:
Vertical To Vertical: https://ignitiongolf.com/vertical-to-vertical/
Vertical To Vertical – Part 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/vertical-to-vertical-part2/
Uncoil 1: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil/
Uncoil 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/uncoil-follow-up/