Power Leakage

There are several parts of the golf swing where power can leak.

Consider you body as a spring - that is wound up in the back swing, and must be controlled in the downswing phase to retain all the stored up momentum until the optimal time to release it - when the club face hits the ball.

At any time you leak power from your swing before that time, you reduce the amount of power available at the time your clubface strikes the ball. LEAKAGE. I'm talking about getting "disconnected" from your swing.

It is important to identify where you may have power leakage in your swing - where you become disconnected from the momentum you have built up.

1. Rotating the hips too much in the back swing - reduces the tension in the upper body, preventing the build up of power
2. Sliding your hips sideways at the beginning of the downswing
3. Leading with your shoulders in the downswing - you want to keep that upper body energy stored until the last minute - instead, lead the downswing with the hips
4. Rushing the clubhead to the ball - the wrists break down near impact [throw-away] , reducing the long lever length previously held by your arm and club shaft into a weak shorter lever.

You should feel the force of the body uncoiling from the base upwards.

At impact, your left wrist should be flat, your right wrist bent.

One Hand Chip Shot Drill

A simple exercise tot train your hands to be in the right position at impact is the "one-hand chip shot".

1. Using your right hand only grip the club.
2. Use your pivot to take the club back
3. As you downswing the clubhead will naturally "lag" behind.

This is a great drill to do in the back yard with plastic practice balls and it forces you to keep you right wrist bent at impact.

Next: More Golf Swing Drills

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