lesson t e e
mike
kinloch
This month, Dubai Creek’s Mike Kinloch explains the
importance of what the pros refer to as ‘clubhead lag’,
the move that releases optimum power into the ball.
L
ast month, we looked
at how the body generates
power in the downswing.
In this issue, I’ve switched our
attention to the hands and arms.
I see a lot of amateur players who
make a pretty good job of swinging
to the top, then literally throw away
all that stored energy by casting the
club with their hands as they begin
the downswing. It is impossible to
deliver optimum clubhead speed
and shaft lean into the ball by doing
this. If you watch any good player’s
swing in slow motion, you’ll see how
the angle between their arms and
the clubhead (created by the wrist
hinge) is maintained as the club
p hoto il lustratio ns by cl arkwin c
the power move (2):
maintain your hinge
downswing drill:
This is the position that you’ll see
all good players get into as they
approach impact. My lower body
has driven the downswing until
this point, and is now rotating
towards the target. Because I have
maintained the ‘lag’ or wrist hinge,
my clubhead has comfortably
avoided striking the tree on the
downswing. It’s a real power move.
p hotog rap hs by FAROO Q SALIK
at the top:
The wrist hinge that you create at
the top of your swing is a lever for
generating power. But I see a lot of
amateurs squander all this energy
by casting the club from the top.
In this drill, you can see that were I
to cast the club from here, I would
strike the tree on my downswing. I
want to maintain that angle for as
long as possible.
drops into the hitting position. From
here, the player can maximise the
power created by the force of their
lower body.
a simple drill for better lag
Try the drill that I’ve illustrated
above to groove a better delivery
into impact. Position yourself near
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april 2011
the trunk of a tree (or wall) and
stand just far enough away from
it so that your clubhead is within
2-3 inches when you pre-set your
wrist hinge. From here, make a full
backswing, and then slowly begin
the downswing, concentrating
on rotating your body while
maintaining the hinge. If done
correctly, your club will not strike
the tree on the downswing. You will
know immediately if you have cast
the club from the top because your
clubhead will strike the obstacle.
Practice this drill very slowly and
deliberately at first until you have
enough confidence and feel to
perform it at a faster pace, without
a ball. When you’re able to perform
it naturally, try hitting some shots.
You should see an immediate
improvement in your striking. ♣
is a PGA Golf
Professional at Dubai Creek Golf &
Yacht Club. For more information,
visit dubaigolf.com
mike kinloch
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april 2011
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