Hit Against Firm Left Side to Drive Ball Longer
Brace the Left Leg for Maximum Golf Release and Club Head Speed
May 27, 2009
The explanation of how hitting against a firm left side creates maximum power is demonstrated in this example of how centrifugal force is used in the golf swing.
Centrifugal Force for Hand Speed
Imagine an old dilapidated house that needs to be knocked down. The walls are demolished by a crane powerfully swinging a heavy ball into the brickwork. Power in a golf swing is created in exactly the same way.
Picture the stationary arm of the crane with the ball hanging beneath it at the end of a chain. To start off the power sequence, the arm starts to move back dragging the heavy ball away. Once momentum has built up the arm of the crane stops and centrifugal force makes the ball swing past the arm.
When the chain is stretched to it’s maximum, the arm of the crane starts to move back towards the wall pulling the heavy ball. Then, as the arm of the crane reaches its original position, it comes to an abrupt stop.
At this moment centrifugal force kicks in and the chain and ball accelerate at maximum speed past the arm smashing into the wall and demolishing the house.
The Golf Swing
From a good set up, the golf swing starts with a body turn that pulls the club back, just as the crane arm pulls back the ball and chain. Once the swing has built up enough momentum the hands release the golf club and it swings into plane. The power of centrifugal force makes the club swing to the top of the backswing where maximum torque is created, just as the chain is stretched to maximum.
The body starts the downswing just as the crane arm initiates the swing back to the wall. Initially the golf club lags behind the body as it is pulled down, but as the body reaches the position it was in at set up, the left leg braces, just as the arm of the crane stops.
At this moment centrifugal force kicks in to it’s maximum and literally slings the golf club past the body with maximum release and hand speed into the ball.
Hit Against Firm Left Side
If the body of a golfer fails to stop and brace itself on the downswing centrifugal force will not kick in and vital speed is lost. The two main ingredients in a golf swing that are responsible for hitting against a firm left side are the head staying still and the left foot set correctly at address.
The head should be tilted back slightly at address anchoring the top half of the body. The left foot must be positioned almost at right angles to the target, this anchors the bottom of the body. All too often club golfers open up the left foot too much. These two small adjustments at set up can have a dramatic effect on hand speed at impact.
Brace the left leg and swing past the body for maximum club head speed.
Related Article - What is an Over the Top Swing - ProTip
 |
