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Golf Lag – The Key to Power and Accuracy
By Laz Milo

Golf lag is defined as having the club-head trailing your hands on the downswing. When viewing swings from face-on, golf lag is created by the angle formed between the left arm and the club-shaft. The more acute this angle is, the more lag the player has- and consequently more potential power. This angle begins a gradual release when the hands are at about hip level on the downswing- yet this angle MUST NOT be fully released until after impact. A professional NEVER lets the club-head pass his hands before impact. This is the key to great golf; the hands always lead the club-head thru impact. The club-head finally catches up to the hands about a foot past impact. This is the point at which the club-head reaches it maximum velocity.

To really understand how to create maximum golf lag and release it properly, one should study the player that did it best- Ben Hogan. In viewing photos and videos of his swing, you can see how acute an angle he created on the downswing- almost an unfathomable amount. However, creating this much lag can be troublesome if you don’t know how to release it properly. Hogan did this beautifully, and no doubt it was responsible for his incredible accuracy to go along with his power.

Ben Hogan’s secret to releasing golf lag at the appropriate time was to setup in such a way that it became an involuntary muscular response. Think of it like a slingshot. You pull the band back as far as possible, and it snaps forward without any conscious manipulation. This is what Hogan did with certain muscles during his golf swing. He maximized their stretch so that the downswing became a “slingshot”. No timing the release of golf lag necessary!

Many players can create acute angles on the downswing, but only the best can release them properly. Instead of practicing still positions, amateurs would be better served learning which muscles need to be stretched taut so that the downswing becomes an involuntary muscular response. That way the club-head always lags behind the hands while still firing at the appropriate time. That is the best way to maximize and automatically release golf lag.

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS, GOLFING TIPS, Wrist Control by donwedderspoon
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A Golf Tip For Irons – Hit More Greens in Regulation
By Chris A Smith

That big booming drive soaring down the center of the fairway is a pretty thing to see but it’s your next shot, the iron shot, that’s going to determine how easy or difficult your putt is going to be. Miss left, right, short or long and you are going to have to scramble for par. Stick it inside four feet and it’s birdie time.

Irons, particularly long irons, are difficult to hit. Most amateurs make the mistake of trying to help the iron lift the ball into the air. The result is thin hits and fat shots. Irons are designed to strike down on the ball compressing it into the earth. Striking down and through the ball creates spin and the spin, along with the loft of the club, push the ball up and away from the earth.

So what’s the secret to hitting crisp iron shots?

Here’s a golf tip or two on irons and how to make them a great tool in lowering your score.

Tip 1 The Concept

Irons are meant and designed to strike the ball at the bottom of the swing arc. Hitting the ball thin is typically the result of hitting the ball at the beginning of the upswing or from the golfer getting “wristy” and trying to scoop the ball off the ground.

On your down swing think hitting down and through the ball. You want to hit the ball first then the ground. You should take a divot about the size of a dollar bill and the divot should be on target line and ahead of where the ball was.

Tip 2 The Setup

For mid-irons the ball should be in the center of your stance. Short irons should be no more than one ball width back from center and long irons no more than one ball length forward of center. These different ball placements are meant to accommodate the different shaft lengths and lofts of the irons.

As in all golf shots you have to have your body aligned with the target. Shoulders, hips and toes should be on the same line as the club face. With the iron shot you should have slightly more weight on your front leg to assist in hitting down on the shot.

Balance is key in this shot. The old adage of keeping your feet shoulder width apart is fine if you feel comfortable and balanced with it. However it is not written in stone. If you need a wider or narrower stance to be able to comfortably transfer weight then by all means adjust. Keeping your balance is more important than a big shoulder turn. If you make a big turn but you are off balance you will alter the swing plane and miss the shot.

Tip 3 The Swing

This is going to be a steeper swing than what you use for your driver and fairway metals. If, like many amateurs, you suffer from an “over the top” golf swing, or striking the ball with an outside in swing, try this. Close your stance a little and aim your shoulders slightly to the right of the target. This will promote an inside out swing and make it far easier to strike down on the ball.

Big drives are nice but if you have a solid iron shot in your bag, odds are you are going to lower your score by making more greens in regulation and even setting up the birdie putt.

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS, GOLFING TIPS, The Golf Swing, Wrist Control by donwedderspoon
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How to Grip It for Power
Waggle like a Tour pro to get more acceleration and better control

By Martin Hall

This story is for you if…

• You tend to tense up on the tee box.
• You often feel the club slip out of your grip when you swing.
• You’re not sure how hard to grip the handle.

The Typical Advice

Lighten your grip pressure to make a more fluid swing and get effortless power.

Why It’s Misleading

Grip the club lightly and you’ll likely lose control at some point during your swing. Think about it this way: When you hammer a nail into a piece of wood, do you hold the hammer lightly? Probably not — especially since your other thumb is so close to the nail.

The Better Way to Take Your Grip

When you place your hands on the handle, do it with firm grip pressure, especially in your fingers. Make it just tight enough so that you feel you have complete control of the clubhead, yet are able to move your wrists freely. That’s the secret to a good grip: firm hands and soft wrists.

The best way to make sure that your grip is firm and your wrists are soft is to waggle the club back and forth at address. You see Tour pros waggle all the time — and there’s a method to their madness. Cock your wrists back and forth a few times, set the club behind the ball, and then swing. Your control and acceleration will skyrocket.

Tags: GENERAL GOLF TOPICS, GOLFING TIPS, Wrist Control by donwedderspoon
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