Add some float loading?

[bew69]

I would probably characterize my swing procedure as hitting. I tend to swing to the end, however, which leads to double cocking and an early release because the clubhead bounces back. Once the centrifugal force takes over I'm dead in the water -- no lag.

I have tried hard to stop at the top (rather than the end) and to keep the left wrist flat, but when I do that my release feels wooden and inadequate. After watching "confessions of a former flipper" and hearing Brian's comment about float loading, I'm wondering if I shouldn't try to add a little bit of float loading to the downswing on all full shots. My theory is that if I add some float to the downstroke then the shaft is moving toward my right shoulder rather than away from it and therefore should enhance my chances maintaining clubhead lag. I'm concerned though about inconsistency, aside from the fact that from my experience it takes some courage to float load.

Any advice guys? Anything wrong with a hitter adding some float loading to the downswing?

Bruce

[birdie_man]

Nothing wrong with it I'd say. Someone might be able to comment on TRYING to add it though (if it doesn't come naturally or w/e).

As for maintaining lag...I like the Pump Drill (if you know what that is).

Here's my post on the Pump Drill from another site:

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Trace a straight plane line with the Flashlight Drill. When the shaft is parallel to the ground in your downswing, make sure it is also parallel to the target line (ideally, it should be like this on your backswing as well).

For a description of the Flashlight Drill, look at the video HERE:
http://chuckevansgolf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=801

If it's not that then check your clubface and your wrist alignments...maybe you are 'cocking' your left wrist too much and not 'bending' it...or maybe rolling the club open too much on the backswing. Your right wrist should use essentially the same motion in your takeaway as it would if you were hammering a nail on an angle. Keep that in mind when you wonder what way your hands should be aligned.

Maybe try the pump drill too:

-Take it to the top.
-Stop at the top and check that you are in a good position- hands roughly over rear shoulder (some ppl are different but that's a common position in good players), left wrist (for righties) is flat or has a slight, slight cup (nothing too extreme).
-When you have that sorted out...drop your rear elbow to your hip and check that the club is parallel to the ground and parallel to your target line. When it is parallel, make sure you are keeping your left arm extended (if your left arm was a string you would keep it taught).

When you do this drill you should be really trying to feel the lag and sustain the lag...you will also notice this move has shifted your weight to your front foot. This is the delivery position you want...from there you can just hit the ball by uncocking your right wrist (hitting the ball with your right hand basically- this more or less happens automatically in the golf swing though...you should not really try to hit it with your right hand...your right hand releases at the ball because it has to).

***try combining this drill with the flashlight drill for even better results.

This is my favourite drill by far...it does so many good things- teaches you to be on plane and to shift your weight to the lead leg and really sustain that lag.

If you are not familliar with TGM terms such as 'cocking' then just ask man and we'll enlighten you.

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Original post at this URL: http://www.iseekgolf.com/forums/inde...c=9366&hl=
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Let me know how that works.

Maybe some other members can post drills/ideas for maintaining lag...

[bew69]

Thanks Birdie_man. Yes, I am very familiar with the pump drill and while it is a good drill I haven't found that it has lead to significant improvement in clubhead lag, at least not for me.

In fact, I took the drill a step further in 2003 and played the entire season (to a 3 hcp) using the pre-set address position (left wrist cocked at almost 90 degrees to start) for all full shots. It gives you the same feeling as the pump drill. I picked this up from Lyle Alexander, a fine Canadian am who some folks may recall from the Single Axis Forum.

In the past 2 weeks I've been doing the divot drill that Brian Manzella described on his "Confessions of a Flipper" short video and that seems pretty good. In practice swings and slo-mo shots, the lag seems most pronounced when I feel the right elbow re-attach on the downswing before the power is applied -- like the right elbow is "seeking the navel".

Bruce

[birdie_man]

Grip pressure is huge too. Try to waggle the club with as light a grip and with as loose arms as you can. I hit my best drives by far when I do that.

Don't know if you've tried that but it really is huge...I try to pay attention to it always...one of my "keys."