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slides away from the ball on the backswing, creating a "metronome" type of motion instead of the desired "pendulum" motion.

USE OF THE ARMS

To understand and achieve the proper use of the hands and arms to create power for distance in the golf swing, we need to be set up in balance. This will help to keep the club on plane throughout the swing. The golf swing is a circular motion, not a linear motion. To create this, allow a SLOW roll of the left arm (pronation), done from the upper arm on the takeaway. The chest/shoulders turning will then set the golf club on plane easily and correctly. On the downswing, the left arm will unroll with the uncoiling of the upper body to return the golf club squarely to the ball. The right hand must conform to the action of the left arm and turn so that you can get into a "throwing position" for power. Thus, the right hand, forearm, and wrist work together to keep the arm behind the shoulder (feeling the hit off of the right side instead of in front of you) for the "throw" around the circle.

USE OF THE HANDS/RELEASE

It is my opinion that you cannot delay the release of the handsif you do this, the clubhead would not catch up to the hands and you could easily block the shot or you have to "flip" your hands to get the golf club square at impact. If you will allow your right hand to work "up then over" you will use this important lever for power and accuracy in the swing. The stimulus of this action starts at the top of the swing, the response is the accelerating clubhead, and the reaction comes at impact. This must be done with the body turning back into the ball or it will seem like "casting". Imagine a baseball pitch: throw the clubhead with the right hand as you unfold your right elbowexcept you throw underhanded. Doing this creates magnificent clubhead speed, utilizing the full effects of gravity. In essence, the conscious delay of the uncocking of the hands slows down the natural pendulum motion of the club. This is a big waste of energy. When you throw the clubhead at the ball and shift your weight to the left foot, the only delayed motion is the turning of the face of the golf club back into the ball. The delayed motion is not the release, but the slow roll of the upper left arm and the unfolding of the right elbow to square the blade at impact. The hands are an independent action of the golf swingthe arms are swinging with the turn of your torso. Thus, do not lock your hands to your armsyou will be unable to advance the shaft on both sides of the swing, enabling you to hit a golf ball more powerfully and more freely.

In summary, the combination of the compound pivot, shoulder/chest turn of 90 degrees (where your left shoulder passes under your chin), and the throwing action of the clubhead will create a controllable, yet powerful swing. This can be, believe it or not, simply done if you can set up in balance and understand then execute the correct order of movement as the body is designed so that you can hit the ball farther with less effort. Players at the highest level do this with easeit can't be about getting big and strong physically or players like Charles Howell wouldn't hit the ball so powerfully. This is the goal I have for my studentseffortless power. I hope that they get complimented (after they have hit a long and accurate shot) on their golf SWING, not golf HIT.

Learn more about this author, Deb Vangellow.
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