The 'Truth' About Power. Fighting Some Myths... help wanted.

[ColinMB]

I pose this question to anyone who knows their stuff, because quite frankly, as a newish golfer, I'm tired of gimmicks...weighted clubs, speed sticks, etc, etc. (Not that I've bought most of them..) I have a few random thoughts that I'd love -real- answers for. I can't think of a better forum where I may get these answers.

For starters, did anyone see this month's "Golf Magazine" article by Ernie Els? They mention his nickname the 'big easy', and that it comes from how he gets his power. Basically the article talks about how he makes use of leverage, and wrist cock, rather than powering the club down at impact.

How vital is ample wrist cock for club head speed?

In previous issues I distinctly remember Ernie saying that when amateurs try to hit harder, they take a bigger backswing, and swing harder. Ernie claims he simply makes a 'bigger shoulder turn'. Why would this be true?

So where the heck does club head speed come from, and how should a person go about increasing it?

The reason I ask is I consider myself to be fairly strong, I've continued to lift weights into my adult life, well after I was finished with football.... YET quite honestly I get out driven (a fair bit) by a 55 year old guy who has a fairly severe 'inside path' sort of swing. He's a great guy and golfer, but I would guess this guy would have trouble bench pressing a double salami on rye. Is it in the path perhaps???? Or as Brian might say, is this guy just snapping his kinetic chain much better than me?

To those of you who swing... let's say 110MPH or there abouts, I have a question that I can't seem to figure out the answer myself... and that is:

Some instructors/pro's say they do NOT accelerate their arms at the beginning of the downswing. They let the arms simply DROP down (into the slot) and only at about hip height do they power into the ball.

Would you consider this true? If this is true, why bother lifting the arms that high to begin with? Is it even necessary? (I'm thinking JB Holmes here).

I also am constantly wondering 2 things for improving club head speed on a personal level:
1. Are there drills that help improve club head swing? What would help?
2. Is there a legitimate product/device that actually helps. Which ones?

I apologize for the jumbled manner I write this. I'm sure it appears to be jumbled a bit, but for the most part, these are questions I think a lot of us might have.

On a more personal level, I ask this because I probably drive (carry + roll) a modest 260+. However, I've had it verified that I have hit (in calm conditions) 292. And not just once. So naturally I am curious how the heck I'll do this, and want to repeat it.

Fortunately I do notice a few things about my swing when I am 'pounding' it:
1- I have this silly Medicus device that clips on to your driver shaft. It gives you a club head speed reading. I know it's not the most accurate device on the planet but it does tell me if I'm getting faster or slower. Guess what? My Driver club head speed increased by about 10 MPH if I take a 60% backswing! Bizarre?

2- I hold the driver with such a loose grip at address you could slap the club out of my hands (BUT by impact I have a near death grip on it).

3- I am definitely targeting the ball from the inside.

I know this is a bit lengthy, but I'm guessing it's not a simple subject. I'd appreciate some good feedback. Maybe there's something in this for a few of us.

 

[tongzilla]

To those of you who swing... let's say 110MPH or there abouts, I have a question that I can't seem to figure out the answer myself... and that is:

Some instructors/pro's say they do NOT accelerate their arms at the beginning of the downswing. They let the arms simply DROP down (into the slot) and only at about hip height do they power into the ball.

Would you consider this true? If this is true, why bother lifting the arms that high to begin with? Is it even necessary? (I'm thinking JB Holmes here).

I hold on to the club at the top. I do not consciously drop or use my arms. I do not have much arm swing either.

But of course, there are MANY ways to do it.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Best Advice?

Buy a swing speed radar and test multiple methods and see what produces the most swing speed for you with what feels.

 

[jeffreycharris]

I think for the average player who struggles with distance it is more about fundamentals than clubhead speed. When I fixed my open clubface I saw a substantial increase in distance (NSA, thanks Brian). So I would say instead of working on increasing your clubhead speed, work on clubface control and solid contact. Of course, if you are already hitting it solidly then I guess clubhead speed is your ticket. Good luck, this is certainly the place to get it figured out.

 

[ColinMB]

Best Advice?

Buy a swing speed radar and test multiple methods and see what produces the most swing speed for you with what feels.

Slowly, this is becoming my realization. I don't have a swing speed radar, although I've used a few similar devices where I took lessons. I think I mentioned my medicus club device. Although I am dubious of its accuracy, it does at least tell me if I'm swinging faster, or slower.

Not to repeat my original email, but this method of trying something on the range with a club speed detector does bring interesting results. Basically that's when I started having weird questions like.... why does my shorter swing seem harder/faster?

Thanks for the advice.

I hold on to the club at the top. I do not consciously drop or use my arms. I do not have much arm swing either.

But of course, there are MANY ways to do it.

Interesting. I agree from all the different swings we see on the PGA, there seems to be a few ways of accomplishing greater club head speed. I was hoping to dispel some of the myths, or at least figure some things out for my own swing. When you say you don't have much arm swing... do you mean you don't have a lot of back swing? Like I said, when I limit my backswing to 3/4, I gain nearly 8-10 MPH.

 

[d0n]

I was having problems hitting the driver. It was weird because I was cranking the 3w and 5w with no problems. Unable to find the difference between the swings I spent a lot of time focusing on dropping the arms and all the other technical swing items. Basically I over complicated the driver so much I had no confidence in it or my ability to swing it. Somewhere along the way I got into the habit of tucking my right elbow really close to my body.

I went and saw a new instructor and he pointed out to me that I was breaking my left elbow a list past 1/2 backswing and it got worse through the full swing. According to him this was making me swing more steeply and causing me to never be on plain. Once I started keeping that arm straight and letting my right arm fold as needed, I don't have to worry about where my hands go. They just fall into the slot. Since then, I'm hitting the driver more consistent than ever. Even better, I don't have to think about anything except "nice wide arch."

Another thing that was pointed out to me, my 3/4 swing (or what I think is 3/4) is another persons full swing. My full swing (or what I think is a full swing) is an overswing. 3/4 actually goes further, feels smoother, and is MUCH more consistent in hitting fairways. Now if I could only train myself to stop at 3/4.....

 

[self-mastery]

Jack Hamm. Powwwwww!