Plugging Those Power Leaks

What do Ernie Els and Fred Couples have in common when it comes to ballstriking? Ernie is a big strapping guy. Fred is a smaller, slightly built man. Given their sizes, you'd think there would be a big difference in their ballstriking capabilities. Yet there isn't. Both are considered among the best ballstrikers on tour. That's because Fred has learned to plug the power leaks in his swing. Power leaks cost you distance, inflate your scores, and boost your golf handicap.

If you want to be a great ballstriker, copy Fred Couples. Plug your swing's power leaks. Otherwise, they'll betray you and fatten your golf handicap, even if you have a good short game. But plugging your power leaks helps you hit the ball farther and with more consistency than ever. And that in turn will improve both your scores and your game. Stopping your leaks may not help you hit the ball as far as Ernie or Fred, but it will impact your game.

Most Common Power Leaks
The key to great ballstriking is managing the power stored in your backswing. Most players swing a club harder, thinking the harder they swing the farther the ball will go. Instead of trying to manage their power, they're trying to manipulate it. Too much manipulation creates a backswing full of "compensations"-attempts to redirect the club to a good impact position. This might work for a few swings, but too much manipulation costs you strokes over the long haul.

In my golf instruction sessions, I teach players to manage their power not manipulate it. Good golfers never speed up their clubs by swinging harder. They allow the power stored in their swings to simply "happen," using leverage to create force. They also plug the power leaks that can short-circuit their golf swings. Below are the typical power leaks in a swing:

1. A lack of wrist cock
2. A collapsed right elbow at the top of the swing
3. An overly bent elbow at the top of the swing.
4. An early release of the club
5. A late release of the club.

In addition to plugging power leaks, good ballstrikers take advantage of two key levers in their golf swings. The first lever is created when your wrists cock and form a 90-degree angle between your left forearm and clubshaft. The other is formed when you fold your right elbow so that your right forearm (left for left-handers) comes perpendicular to the right biceps. Failing to produce these levers during your backswing creates power leaks.

Managing Your Power
Managing the levers in your backswing keys the delivery of power at impact. The two drills below-the One-Arm Drill and the Hit and Hold Drill-teach you to manage the stored power and plug your power leaks.

One Arm Drill
Assume your normal setup position. Then take your left hand off the club. Next slowly swing your right arm to the top, making sure the elbow folds to form a 90-degree angle. Turn the upper part of your body away from the target and shift your weight to your back hip joint. On the downswing allow your right elbow to straighten like a piston, and your right side to turn through the ball. Now shift your weight and swing. The ball should go straight. If it goes right, your release is late. If it goes left, your release is early.

Hit and Hold Drill
Assume your normal setup. Now take the club away. Go to the top and swing back to the ball. Make sure to sling the club across your straight left leg stopping just after impact when both arms are straight. The hands should be higher than the clubhead at the finish. If they are, then it's a sign that the energy dump from the lever to the ball occurred efficiently. If they're not, you need to work on channeling energy to the ball more efficiently.

The One-Arm Drill helps you manage the right side of your swing. The Hit and Hold Drill helps you manage the left side. Together, they help you plug the leaks in your swing and better manage the delivery of power to the ball. That in turn generates longer, straighter shots and help you cut strokes from your golf handicap.

Weekend golfers often rely on muscle power to produce distance. Swinging a club harder or faster doesn't always generate distance. Sometimes, in fact, it costs you distance. Great ball strikers like Ernie Els and Fred Couples take advantage of the built-in levers in their swings to create effortless power. If you want to do the same-and shave strokes off your golf handicap-learn to manage the power stored in your swing and plug your power leaks.


Copyright (c) 2007 Jack Moorehouse