How Do I Release the Club? And where?

[Bagger Lance]

Bear with me on this one...I throw in text references so my fellow students can keep me honest.

Release occurs during downstroke section (8-7) of the swing, specifically at Section 9 (8-9) after the Startdown and Downstroke sections have begun. Its location is dependent on the selected release "Trigger" (10-20) and it is known as the period of clubhead acceleration.

In terms of accumulator release for the full swing, the "Swinger" will use accumulators 4,2 and 3 and the loaded accumulators will be released in that order. They can be omitted, sequenced or overlapped (6-M-1) depending on preferences and the club in hand. The Hitter will typically use 1,2 and 3 and sometimes 4,1,2 and 3 sequence in the full swing.

Release for each accumulator begins when their loaded condition starts to seek its in-line condition or unload. For accumulator #4 it is when the left arm begins to move away from the chest, for #1 its when the right arm begins to straighten. These two actions are nearly inseparable but when #4 is in use, #1 must follow except when #4 is used exclusively with a no release procedure such as a 10-3-H Paw Minor stroke. The definition of the release of the power package is when the first accumulator in use begins to seek its in-line condition.

The more conventional definition for release is the 4-D-0 Release Motions which specifically refer to the motion of the wrists - Accumulators 2 and 3; Wristcock and Roll. The uncocking of the flat left wrist is used in conventional golf instruction to describe "The Release", but in Golfing Machine parlance this is not the correct definition, it is only part of the story.

The beginning or "where" of release occurs based on a defined release "Trigger" (7-20). The Triggers (10-20), also known as "Throws" are The Hand Throw, Right Arm Throw, Shoulder Turn Throw, Delivery Path Throw, and Wrist Throw. They can be used stand-alone or in combination based on the list in 11-20 and they are closely tied to Release Types. The location of release trigger is where the Right Elbow first begins to straighten (6-B-2-0, 7-20 first paragraph, and 6-M-0).

The Triggers or Throws are tightly integrated with their associated Release Type (10-24). That is Sweep, Random Sweep, and Snap of which there are automatic and non-automatic versions.

In summary and in my best lay instruction - release location is defined where the right elbow begins to straighten so make sure you position it where you want it. Its why 7-20 is titled "Plan Ahead".

Got my flame suit on so fire away...