In many ways the golf swing is like a spring. You load it up in the back swing and unload it in the downswing. You see, the real power in a golf swing doesn’t come from swinging your arms at the ball, instead it comes from unloading the “springs” in few key places of the body. When you unload those “springs” properly you develop the kind of raw power that results in longer straighter drives. When you do this right your arms are just along for the ride.
As PGA Pro Bill McKinney explains in the video above there are several places where you can build tension in your back swing that will store power to be released into the ball during impact. Let’s start from the ground and work our way up.
The first “spring” is your rear foot. With your rear foot firmly planted on the ground you can build power by simply resisting the rotating force of the backswing that tries to rotate your foot outward.
The next “spring” is your rear leg and knee. By moving your knee slightly outward while keeping your rear foot firmly planted you can store more energy for the downswing. As you saw in the video it’s not a big movement, but it adds a lot of power. And when you do it right you can certainly feel the tension.
Your rear glute and hip are the next “spring” that you need to load. By rotating backwards on your rear hip (this is different than rotating your core/waist) you add another layer of power.
You’ve most likely heard about loading your core in the backswing, it’s the next “spring” you’ll want to wind up. This one is pretty simple, rotating your spine in the backswing like you are trying to see what is behind you without moving your feet adds even more power to your swing. While loading the core is by far the biggest movement in this loading sequence, the other “springs” are what give the core the foundation it needs to develop serious power. Without the right foundation loading your core might as well be like bending a wet noodle.
Last but not least is your front shoulder; it’s the last “spring” in the sequence. By keeping your front arm extended for as long as possible in the back swing you add some major power to your swing. If you allow your front arm to fold too soon this spring never gets loaded.
When you load all these springs your golf swing turns into a drawn bow, ready to release its stored energy and send the arrow (golf ball in this case) hurling down range.
Releasing all these springs is the easy part, as long as you don’t over think it or try to get your arms involved.
For more ways to add power and distance to your drives click here.
