Left Hand Arm Swing Release - Golf Release Tips
Release or Square Up Left Arm and Hand at Impact to Improve Golf
Sep 14, 2009
At most driving ranges golfers work endlessly on fairly complex swing technique to improve their golf. Complicated weight shift positions are practiced, more dynamic leg action is rehearsed and golfers can be seen pumping their arm up and down like robots trying to keep the club in plane and on line. But rarely are any golfers practicing the correct hand action release at impact – arguably the most important move in the golf swing.
The Importance of the Left Hand and Arm Release
The golf swing can be an incredibly complex action if a golfer chooses to try to swing the club into the correct position every inch of the swing. Or, according to some of the top professionals like Ian Woosnam, it’s as simple as a turn back, a turn through with a swish in the middle. The swish in the middle constitutes the release or squaring up of the club head. Irrespective of whether the turn back and through are correct, get the swish in the middle right and nearly every shot will end up somewhere near the target.
How to Release at Impact to Improve Golf
The concept of the release can also be made complicated or simple. In real terms it is no more complicated than clapping. Many golfers think about the palm of the right hand squaring the blade, but likewise many imagine slapping the back of the left hand at the ball. But clapping is a very good way of practicing the timing of the release. The louder you can clap the squarer the clubface will be coming into the ball.
- Rather than hitting endless shots on the practice ground try to concentrate on the basics and training the hands to release naturally. Try these different ‘feels’ to make the hands more active and responsive.
- Hold a club in each hand and waggle them back and forward. This strengthens the fingers and forearms and makes them more capable of directing the club as it comes into impact. It is rather like a sword fighter swishing back the sword once or twice before a fight.
- Put a soft object up against a wall and practice releasing the back of the left arm and hand into the object. In the old days the famous golfer, and British Open Champion, Henry Cotton used to practice hitting a car tyre with a club in the left hand to practice the hand and arm release.
- Remember - no matter how good your swing, without good hand and arm action coming into impact the shot will end up off line.
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