FREE AND SPEEDY

By Erika Larkin on 11/29/12

In an effort to increase club head speed, I find students swing longer and harder compromising their technique- the anti-free swing. There is always a trade-off between distance and accuracy however, it important for you to generate speed the right way.

Try to stay relaxed to promote faster muscle movements, check to see that your sequence is in check (as described previously) and finally, take a closer look at your hand action. Better hand speed can be acquired by maintaining a good amount of wrist hinge as long as possible in your downswing and waiting to delivering it (unhinging) at the last possible moment — impact.

The best professional example of this move is Sergio Garcia who is famous for the wrist angle he creates in his downswing. Watching some professional swings can give you an idea of how to generate and deliver lag in your swing without swinging harder.

Here is a drill to help you feel right way develop speed:

• Hold your 7 iron upside-down with your hands just above the hosel on the shaft.


• Swing back and through about 10 times so the club feels weightless.


• Then, flip the club right-side up and the club head should now feel much heavier.


• Swing back and through keeping the feeling of the heavy head, and use your body to help you turn through a little faster as you ramp up your swing speed and create lag with your hands and wrists (like Sergio).

If you are gripping it to tight or swinging too hard you will lose the feeling of the heavy head and your will be compromising your free swing and natural speed.


Erika Larkin is the Director of Instruction at Larkin Golf Learning Community at Stonewall Golf Club in Gainesville, Virigina. She was named the 2012 Middle Atlantic PGA "Teacher of the Year" and the 2011 "Top Golf Pro" by Washingtonian Magazine... and she's oobgolf's newest columnist. She will be writing on a variety of topics including instruction, so if you have a question for her or an idea for a column, email her at ErikaLarkin@pga.com. Enjoy!


Image via Flickr, Companygolflessons

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