Driving · Tip
Power Comes From the Ground and the Turn
Part of our driving programs for push or pull, not enough distance. Build a program with it
Swinging your arms harder won't give you more distance. Using the ground and your turn will. Load into your trail side going back. Feel pressure on the inside of your trail foot. Then let your lower body start the downswing. Your arms get pulled along instead of thrown at the ball. When the order is right, the club whips through with less effort. Rehearse slowly first. Add speed little by little.
Step by step
- Feel pressure on the inside of your trail foot going back.
- Pause at the top to feel the coil.
- Shift pressure to your lead foot first.
- Let your arms follow your hips and chest.
- Finish on your lead side, facing the target.
Why it works
The ground is the only thing you can push against, so speed starts in your feet and legs. When you load into your trail side and turn, you store tension between your hips and shoulders. Starting the downswing from the lower body lets that tension release in order: hips, chest, arms, club. Your arms are then pulled along and the club gains speed without extra effort from your hands.
Common mistakes
- You slide your hips sideways going back and lose the pressure on the inside of your trail foot.Turn around a steady trail leg and keep the pressure on the inside of that foot.
- You start the downswing by throwing your arms and shoulders at the ball.Pause at the top, then shift pressure to your lead foot before your arms move.
- You stop turning at impact and finish on your trail foot.Keep turning until your chest faces the target and your weight is fully on your lead side.
How you'll know it's working
- You feel pressure on the inside of your trail foot at the top, then on your lead foot early in the downswing.
- Your strike is solid and centered, and the ball starts on line without a push or a pull.
- You finish balanced on your lead side, chest facing the target, and could hold that pose.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make slow half swings without a ball and stop at the top each time to check the pressure in your trail foot.
Harder: Hit balls with a pause at the top, then remove the pause and add speed while keeping the same order and a balanced finish.
Common questions
Why do I lose distance when I swing harder?
Swinging harder with your arms usually breaks the order of the swing and hurts your contact. Better contact and a clean sequence from the ground up usually give more distance than raw effort.
Where should I feel pressure in my feet during the golf swing?
For a right-hander, feel pressure on the inside of your right foot going back. Then feel it move to your left foot as the downswing starts.
