Chisag's Tip Of The Day #39

[chisag]

You Are Using Too Much Effort

I can't take credit for this quote but I loved it the very first time I heard it. "Golf is a game of effortless power, not powerless effort". When you use your kinetic chain properly it shouldn't take a lot of effort. Like a pitcher warming up, using their body from the ground up and culminating in throwing the ball 80mph seemingly without much effort at all, the golf swing is very similar. I am not going to get into specifics because there are several types of swings and everyone is different. This tip is for those of you using a lot of effort, even for an 85yd wedge shot but drivers too. It has been my experience that most over use their bodies so calming your body motion is extremely important. 

I have recommended this drill before but it is such a good one to feel what swinging the club is like and how much effortless power you can achieve. Tee up a ball to hit with your wedge. Stand with your feet together, legs straight and just swing the weight of the club back allowing it to cock your wrists naturally and then swing it through to your finish without actively releasing the club head. A good swing (not a modern hitting motion) does not release the club head nor does it make any attempt to retain any lag with the club head. Lag is a natural occurrence when swinging the club and centrifugal force will sling the club head faster than most of you can actively release it. Once you start making some smooth effortless swings, start moving your feet apart incrementally moving them farther apart until you get to your normal wedge stance.

For those of you used to turning your body hard on the downswing or flipping your wrists it can be difficult to just "allow" the club to swing. It takes a lot of trust because you are mentally doing the opposite from what you have always thought you needed to do. If it is difficult for you to accomplish, make sure you have a loose grip and then swing the club actively trying to NOT release it and swing to your finish. The key is a lack of tension so don't stop the club head from releasing, just try and not release it. Start small and half swings are OK. You are going to give up any control of the club and just freely swing not caring what the club head does or whether you make contact with the ball or not. If you get it right, it will be a little scary because you become just a passenger of the swing, not the conductor of the swing. 

Lydia looks like she is hitting the ball 50 yds but it is a full 85yd wedge shot. In super slow motion it is easy to see she isn't flexing any muscles, swinging hard or seemingly using much effort at all, she is just swinging the club head and allowing it to race through the ball seemingly on it's own while Lydia just holds on, not actively doing anything with the club.  
 

 

Edited November 1 by chisag

[Rob Person]

Great write up and tips

I found it odd today that I was hitting my shots further with less effort by slowing down my backswing. 

 

[Josh Parker]

I had forgotten about this drill.  I may have to get out and do that today.

[cksurfdude]

Great stuff!!

I do know I get into trouble when I try too much .. and get out (well, further out than normal) of sequence .. one example I get too handsy and ball pops up or goes away left or I chunk it or.... 

I try to keep in mind: hit it better not harder

[russtopherb]

Another absolute gem here. 

[KC Golf]

Lydia Ko’s swing looks effortless.   It’s a swing most of us on MGS should really study.  It’s not a surprise that she is raking in a lot of tour wins this year.  Her short game is considered one of the best on any tour regardless of gender.

[PrayingForPar]

It's so crazy you wrote this, just last Saturday a similar drill was given to me by my coach.

He had me take a full backswing with a 5 iron but told me to try and only hit it 100 hards. I swung as slow as I thought I could and was still hitting it 150 yards. His point was the same as yours about the amount of effort needed. His phrase was to stop hitting the ball and to start swinging the club. 

Your explanation is great, I look forward to #40.