Driving · Drill
Exaggerate Lag to Store More Speed
Part of our driving programs for push or pull, not enough distance, topped or thin. Build a program with it
Many golfers throw the club from the top. That wastes speed before the ball. This drill has you feel the opposite on purpose. Keep a sharp angle between your lead arm and the shaft deep into the downswing, like the point of an arrow. The extreme feel helps you find a better middle ground. Go slow first. Check the angle when your hands reach your trail thigh. Then turn through and let the club release. Expect a few thin or pushed shots as you learn.
The drill
- Hinge your wrists fully on a slow backswing.
- Start down with your hips and keep the hinge.
- Pause at your trail thigh and check the angle.
- Turn through and let the club release.
- Hit half shots before full swings.
Why it works
Speed stored in the wrist angle is released at the ball only if you keep the angle while your body turns the arms down. When you throw the club from the top, the shaft passes your hands too early and the head is already slowing at impact. Holding the angle longer lets the body's rotation pull the club, so the head catches up and speeds up near the ball.
Common mistakes
- You start down by pushing the club with your hands and arms.Start the downswing with your hips turning toward the target and let the arms follow.
- You keep the angle but stop turning, so the club never releases.After the pause at your trail thigh, keep turning your chest through and let the wrists unhinge naturally.
- You hold the angle with tight forearms and grip.Keep your grip pressure light so the hinge is kept by sequence, not by squeezing.
How you'll know it's working
- At your trail thigh, the angle between your lead arm and the shaft still looks sharp, like an arrow point.
- You strike the ball first and then the turf, with a divot starting just after the ball.
- Your half shots start on line and fly higher with a clean, solid sound, not thin.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make slow half swings with no ball, pausing at your trail thigh each time until the angle looks sharp.
Harder: Move to full swings with a ball and hold the angle to the trail thigh without pausing.
Common questions
What is lag in a golf swing?
Lag is the angle between your lead arm and the club shaft during the downswing. Keeping it longer lets the club head release later and closer to the ball.
Why do I hit thin or pushed shots when I try to hold lag?
You are likely holding the angle but not turning enough, so the club arrives late and low or with the face open. Keep rotating your body through the ball and the club will release on time.
