Connect with us

Instruction

As Tiger Woods says, “explosive power starts from the ground up”

Published

on

“You can’t start a car from a dead start and put it immediately up to 70 miles per hour. No matter how powerful your engine, you must have a gradual acceleration of speed. So it is in the golf swing.” — Mickey Wright

“Explosive power starts from the ground up..flat-out, lower body initiated power…my legs and hips drive forward and my upper body simply unwinds.” –Tiger Woods

We all have a love of power and yearn to achieve more of it in the golf swing. Muscular power is the rate of energy expended and it depends on the amount of energy available and the time taken to expend it. This is really about the amount of weight moved and the time involved to move it. Why is this relevant to the golf swing? Simply put, you have permission to move when making a full swing motion!

The modern swing seems to be all about rotation (torque, twist, turn, X-factor, etc.) are swing buzz words that are understood as the answer to a powerful swing and thus, increased distance. I believe these things can create substantial power, but done alone, could they be creating the possibility for injury. It seems to me that the more that I understand about anatomy, the more I believe that the body is not designed for the said rotational activity by itself in the golf swing. However, if there is some lateral movement allowed, this alone could put less stress on the back and joints, freeing up the shoulders to turn. Thus, shifting and turning (movement) is both accepted and possibly necessary for both power and accuracy. Movement, to me, is natural, athletic, and rhythmical…all words we strive for in sport.

I can appreciate the concern about lateral movement in the swing. We all are afraid of “swaying” or “sliding”. Simply, if your head movement is minimal the motion will instead look efficient and powerful. Additionally, if your swing is a result of a good kinetic chain (the muscle groups in the body working in a series or order of movement) and you utilize a good pivot, I think you will believe in movement.

A good pivot is a shift-turn-shift-turn sequence. Many times, it can seem like a player is only turning because this pivot sequence is happening in such a small amount of space. Upon closer examination, you will see that the most efficient swings incorporate a two-legged balanced start with a one-legged balance top swing position to a one-legged balance finish position.

Basically, you are creating a right side axis that will free the left side to turn outward behind the golf ball. This not only gives more time for the club to get to the top of the backswing, but also permits a good shoulder turn. As it is in the backswing, the forward swing is simply a change of axis and weight shift from the right foot to the left foot with a turn through to a balanced finish position.

The assertive leg drive/thrust/step is desirable to create a “running start” at and through the golf ball, creating optimal clubhead speed. In almost all sports that involve throwing or striking, the athlete makes a “running start” of sorts. Not only does this legwork/hip-work provide additional club speed in the golf swing, but it also gives you the secondary benefit of maintaining balance as your arms swing forward.

There are several ways to “get” this weight transfer ideal. Some like to think of shifting their center of gravity to the right and left and others imagine a lower spine shifting from right to left in a “wrecking ball” image. With both of these images, the top of the spine (head relatively still) remains in a fixed position, acting as a fulcrum for the swing in a pendulum-type motion. The head may move some but will not move in such a way that the movement becomes metronome-like.

Students who learn to swing a golf club with me are given “permission to move”. For so many, it is such a relief and their swings (in terms of power and accuracy) improve and overall enjoyment intensifies. These things, coupled with less strain and pain in the body, have convinced them that this is the way to go. Go back to being an athlete…step and throw the club around the circle like you are throwing a ball and you will be convinced that this is the way to go too!

 

Your Reaction?
  • 76
  • LEGIT13
  • WOW7
  • LOL2
  • IDHT1
  • FLOP15
  • OB15
  • SHANK44

LPGA Master Professional/PGA Honorary Director Deb Vangellow holds both a BA and a Master Of Science Degree in Health/Physical Education/Coaching and Educational Leadership/Psychology from the University of Northern Iowa and Miami (Ohio) respectively. She currently is the Director Of Instruction at Riverbend Country Club in Houston, Texas. Deb is the 2012 LPGA National Teacher Of The Year, an LPGA, Golf Digest Woman, and Golf For Women “Top 50” Teacher, a Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine “Top Regional/Best in State” Teacher”, a US KIDS GOLF “Top 50 Master Kids Teacher” a Golf Tips Magazine “Top 25 Teacher”, and a GRAA “Elite Top Growth Of The Game Professional”. She served as the National President of the LPGA Teaching And Club Professionals and is a longtime lead instructor in the LPGA Global Education Program in the U.S. and Asia. An educator/coach who offers wellness based developmental programming integrated into her “student centered” philosophy; Deb can be reached at online at www.debvangellowgolf.com.

13 Comments

13 Comments

  1. Jesse V

    Jul 6, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    Due to back issues I have had to learn a different way to swing a club.

    I found Jimmy Ballard who’s teachings allow for the shifting of weight in the back swing and of course the shifting of weight forward in the down swing. Has made a tremendous difference in how my back feels after a range session or after a round.

  2. L

    Jul 5, 2019 at 9:37 pm

    Eldrick is a liar.
    If he was able to use the ground better he wouldn’t have a broken back. Eldrick swings all upper body. He has no idea how a golf swing really works. Sam Snead did. Lee Trevino did. They actually used their lower body. Eldrick used to get his lower body out of the way with an upper body twist.

    • Travis

      Jul 6, 2019 at 9:11 pm

      The above post might be the worst take on golf that simultaneously lacks any basis in reality. You completely lack an understanding of swing mechanics. Have fun breaking 100.

    • Patricknorm

      Jul 8, 2019 at 4:58 am

      Tiger didn’t hurt his back from golf. Tiger hurt his back training with and for the Navy Seals. Ironically, Tiger lower back became worse when his Achilles and knee issues became pretty well useless. I’ve had exactly the same issues as Tiger regarding my knees, hips and then lower back. The more I’m able to use my legs, bend my knees the less stress on my lower back. Maybe have a look at Matthew Wollf’s swing to see how he uses the ground to increase his swing speed.
      Plus, I think a comprehensive physics course would help you better understand what Tiger was referencing.

      • Jim

        Jul 8, 2019 at 2:46 pm

        That’s bull. He got the celebrity visit.

        He did however pack (buy) 30lbs of muscle into that skinny frame in one winter – years before his specwar days.

        Earl was a Green Beret & they would’ve given him a warm welcome and then run him ragged.

        He did nothing BUDS

      • geohogan

        Jul 8, 2019 at 5:10 pm

        Maybe have a look at Matthew Wollf’s swing to see how he uses the ground to increase his swing speed.

        Yes have a look. Wollf jumps all over the place at impact.
        his left foot slides backwards, which prevents damage to his left knee and spine. If he posted on a straight left leg as Tiger once did
        and /or kept his left foot flat, his lower back would be toast.

        FYI, the only solid connection between the lower body and upper body is in the pelvic basin.
        How many HP are you going to transmit through that connection before damage is done. In some, its permanent.

        The only physics we need to understgand, is Newtons Third Law:
        For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction force.

        When the force created in upper body isnt supported properly by lower body, damage will be done to the weakest point(where lower and upper body are joined.. the spine).

    • James Awad

      Jul 8, 2019 at 2:40 pm

      That ridiculous squat move the big brains & biggest mouths on wrx don’t understand – IS WHAT ATE HIS BACK!

      historically many great players have described ‘what they did’ as they thought they were – but video shows otherwise.

      Jack once said he ‘started his downswing by stomping his left heel down’….I tried it & almost broke my back…same month he ‘corrected himself’ and said he ACTUALLY shifted (drove off) from the right foot FIRST and that inertia started the upper body and arms (torso) to return to center THUS STOMPING THE LEFT HEEL DOWN – AT WHICH POINT THE UNWINDING OF THE LEFT HIP (not the right sided squat & unwind like Tiger) “was what he meant was being the official ‘start’ of the downswing.

      I was discussing the derotational shear forces he was putting on his back with Butch & stood right next to him at his Vegas HQ when he told him ‘Son, that’s going to kill your back’

      Tiger NEVER drove from the ‘ground up’

      He squeezed his hips out from under his head like toothpaste out of a tube by crunching down – then unwinding huge – but the stress on the discs was NOT spread over a ‘greater range of motion’ ala Jimmy Balard

      The best part of his swing – was the set up and huge ‘LEVEL’ LEFT SIDED TURN – ALLOWING His head to move to the right and maintain the same spine tilt orientation he had at address.

      Norman & Els had same move – but shifted their ‘entire being’ back to ‘center’ from the right foot & leg – then unwound from the front hip.

      Unwinding from the front after shifting the weight back CREATES centrifugal force, and if done from a good top of backswing position, allows the arms to just drop – not have to be pulled – into the downswing and produces a natural inside out swing WITHOUT having to ‘pull down’…

  3. Yomomma

    Jul 5, 2019 at 8:56 pm

    To start the downswing simply roll your feet and roll your arms.

  4. geohogan

    Jul 5, 2019 at 4:42 pm

    ” Its old time golf wisdom and its wrong.”

    Tiger fired his lower body to detriment of his knee and spine.

    Upper body firing is also old time golf misconception.

    It is momentum beginning with the feet and ground, that begins the kinematic chain and it is properly sequenced deceleration of proximal to distal that results in acceleration of the clubhead.

    Only when shoulder joints, elbow joints and wrist joints act as free swinging hinges does the multiplication of force result; NOt power hinges.
    A critical distinction.

  5. PSG

    Jul 5, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    A common myth that hurts a lot of players. 76% of the power in the golf swing comes from shoulder turn, the right elbow unbending, and the wrists firing at the proper time.

    If your article was true nobody could hit it 300 yards on their knees. But they can. Because the vast majority of power comes from the upper, not lower, body.

    The issue is that everyone *feels* like it comes from the lower body because it doesn’t come from your upper body’s muscles, it comes from your upper bodies joints. This is a critical distinction. You are not hitting with your biceps and lats, you are hitting with your shoulder ball-and-socket joints and elbow joint.

    Nonetheless, the hips add about 8 mph and a forward weight drive can get up to around 14 mph. The rest comes from above the waist. You can put your lower body in concrete and hit 110 on trackman. Try doing that without your upper body firing. You’d be lucky to break 50.

    Stop. telling. people. this. nonsense. Its old time golf wisdom and its wrong.

    • JCGolf

      Jul 5, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      You are right and also not right at the same time. A swing from the knees also results in the hips rotating a decent amount, it just removes the lateral component of the swing and removes the requirement for a strong legs because the plane is extremely flat so there is hardly any upward/downward force and the force is transmitted through your rigid femurs rather than knees/quads/hamstrings.

      The best players in the world have 70% of their ground pressure on the front foot before the downswing even begins. From there it is an upper body unwind, much like a baseball swing and the legs react to the force generated above, rather than the legs driving the movement. All the lower body does is stabilize the movement. On your knees the legs cant do much, but the force goes through the femurs.

    • Sean M

      Jul 8, 2019 at 2:48 pm

      This lower body myth has to end. Distance comes from speed. And speed is generated from the upper body. Tiger Woods and my grandmother have the same lower body speed.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Instruction

Clement: Stop ripping off your swing with this drill!

Published

on

Not the dreaded headcover under the armpit drill! As if your body is defective and can’t function by itself! Have you seen how incredible the human machine is with all the incredible feats of agility all kinds of athletes are accomplishing? You think your body is so defective (the good Lord is laughing his head off at you) that it needs a headcover tucked under the armpit so you can swing like T-Rex?

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW2
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK2

Continue Reading

Instruction

How a towel can fix your golf swing

Published

on

This is a classic drill that has been used for decades. However, the world of marketed training aids has grown so much during that time that this simple practice has been virtually forgotten. Because why teach people how to play golf using everyday items when you can create and sell a product that reinforces the same thing? Nevertheless, I am here to give you helpful advice without running to the nearest Edwin Watts or adding something to your Amazon cart.

For the “scoring clubs,” having a solid connection between the arms and body during the swing, especially through impact, is paramount to creating long-lasting consistency. And keeping that connection throughout the swing helps rotate the shoulders more to generate more power to help you hit it farther. So, how does this drill work, and what will your game benefit from it? Well, let’s get into it.

Setup

You can use this for basic chip shots up to complete swings. I use this with every club in my bag, up to a 9 or 8-iron. It’s natural to create incrementally more separation between the arms and body as you progress up the set. So doing this with a high iron or a wood is not recommended.

While you set up to hit a ball, simply tuck the towel underneath both armpits. The length of the towel will determine how tight it will be across your chest but don’t make it so loose that it gets in the way of your vision. After both sides are tucked, make some focused swings, keeping both arms firmly connected to the body during the backswing and follow through. (Note: It’s normal to lose connection on your lead arm during your finishing pose.) When you’re ready, put a ball in the way of those swings and get to work.

Get a Better Shoulder Turn

Many of us struggle to have proper shoulder rotation in our golf swing, especially during long layoffs. Making a swing that is all arms and no shoulders is a surefire way to have less control with wedges and less distance with full swings. Notice how I can get in a similar-looking position in both 60° wedge photos. However, one is weak and uncontrollable, while the other is strong and connected. One allows me to use my larger muscles to create my swing, and one doesn’t. The follow-through is another critical point where having a good connection, as well as solid shoulder rotation, is a must. This drill is great for those who tend to have a “chicken wing” form in their lead arm, which happens when it becomes separated from the body through impact.

In full swings, getting your shoulders to rotate in your golf swing is a great way to reinforce proper weight distribution. If your swing is all arms, it’s much harder to get your weight to naturally shift to the inside part of your trail foot in the backswing. Sure, you could make the mistake of “sliding” to get weight on your back foot, but that doesn’t fix the issue. You must turn into your trial leg to generate power. Additionally, look at the difference in separation between my hands and my head in the 8-iron examples. The green picture has more separation and has my hands lower. This will help me lessen my angle of attack and make it easier to hit the inside part of the golf ball, rather than the over-the-top move that the other picture produces.

Stay Better Connected in the Backswing

When you don’t keep everything in your upper body working as one, getting to a good spot at the top of your swing is very hard to do. It would take impeccable timing along with great hand-eye coordination to hit quality shots with any sort of regularity if the arms are working separately from the body.

Notice in the red pictures of both my 60-degree wedge and 8-iron how high my hands are and the fact you can clearly see my shoulder through the gap in my arms. That has happened because the right arm, just above my elbow, has become totally disconnected from my body. That separation causes me to lift my hands as well as lose some of the extension in my left arm. This has been corrected in the green pictures by using this drill to reinforce that connection. It will also make you focus on keeping the lead arm close to your body as well. Because the moment either one loses that relationship, the towel falls.

Conclusion

I have been diligent this year in finding a few drills that target some of the issues that plague my golf game; either by simply forgetting fundamental things or by coming to terms with the faults that have bitten me my whole career. I have found that having a few drills to fall back on to reinforce certain feelings helps me find my game a little easier, and the “towel drill” is most definitely one of them.

Your Reaction?
  • 11
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW2
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP2
  • OB0
  • SHANK8

Continue Reading

Instruction

Clement: Why your practice swing never sucks

Published

on

You hear that one all the time; I wish I could put my practice swing on the ball! We explain the huge importance of what to focus on to allow the ball to be perfectly in the way of your practice swing. Enjoy!

 

Your Reaction?
  • 0
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK2

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending