I have been teaching golf for 15 years and I can’t remember a student who has not asked me for more distance. The Titleist Performance Institute has studied hundreds of touring professionals and the best ball-strikers all have the same downswing “signature” (downswing sequence) to maximize their distance. The proper sequence in the downswing is hips, torso, lead arm and then the golf club. If you look at a computer reading of Jim Furyk and Ernie Els’ downswing sequence, you will not be able to tell the difference between the players. Obviously Els’ frame can produce more power that Furyk’s but they both maximize their power in the same way.
The sequence is the same in any sport where you are looking to hit or throw something with power. If you look at a baseball hitter, baseball pitcher, hockey player or tennis player, you will see the same sequence of motion. The chain reaction as one part of the body transfers the energy to the next leads to efficiency and power. When you see a great ball-striker just prior to impact, you see a significant “lag” where the handle of the club is well ahead of the clubhead. This angle is produced by the proper sequence in the downswing. When an instructor talks about delaying the hit, holding the angle or creating lag, please understand that you cannot achieve this unless your body is firing in the proper sequence.
So how do you learn the proper sequence? If you are late to golf and have played other sports, tap into that sequence. Your brain has stored the sequence as you learned the other sport and tapping into this is invaluable. If you are involved with juniors or have a kid who plays golf, keep them involved in other sports as they will gain more strength and learn the sequence there as well. I have seen Michelle Wie hitting golf balls with a baseball bat as her Dad pitched them in to her about waist high. Her tall strong frame coupled with the correct sequence is a great recipe for power. A good drill to learn the proper sequence is to start with your feet together, take the club half way back, then step towards the target as you complete the backswing and swing through.
We all laugh at Happy Gilmore hitting a golf ball but running up and hitting a golf ball is the correct sequence not to mention a great way to train hand eye coordination. I’m not saying do this on the first tee next time you play, but it would be really cool if you did and pulled it off. If you hit it solidly, you will see distance you never saw before. -jz
