Releasing to early

[chiper]

Hi all this is a great forum,

I’m currently having a few lessons and my coach has noticed that I am releasing the club to early,
does anyone have any suggestions, drills etc or perhaps a particular mindset that can be used when starting the down swing, any help most appreciated thanks.

Regards

Chiper

[HEATHCLIFF]

Re: Releasing to early

Ask for your money back!

If you paid for a lesson your coach should have given you some sound advice on how to work on correcting this very common fault and it would have been quite easy for him as he was right there watching you.

Did he mention anything like - coming over the top, reverse pivot, spine angle etc?

It could be that you are simply swinging to the top and then trying to square up the club to the ball from there - the right shoulder moves out toward the ball - lag goes missing in action via an out to in swing. Only Superman could keep his lag with that action.

You could try keeping your shoulders closed for longer on the downswing by starting your D/S with a move of your lower body rather than chest/shoulders etc. This is made easier by employing an extra element of timing so that the D/S starts gradually and not with a lunge out to the ball.

Theres lots of experienced golfers/teachers in forums like this and I'm sure you will get loads of good advice.

[killer]

Re: Releasing to early

hold the angle with your right hand assuming you are right handed ,

and when you feel your right arm come back to your body release the right hand, make sure the clubhead is outside of your hands going back and coming down if not you will soon get to know what a shank looks like. its really very easy to do and a very simple swing thought i hope this helps let me know how you get on

[wildwilly911]

Re: Releasing to early

the coach should have helped you out there, your paying him.a good practce drill is to only take our back swing to the 9 0'clock position arm parralel to ground and a full wrist cock then start your down swing with your body.wrist uncock should happen thru the ball.do that slow at first till you get timming down, dont worry about length, then slowly increase back swing and speed. hope it helps

[chiper]

Re: Releasing to early

Thanks for the tips guys I will give them a try.

My coach suggested to try and invisage the feeling of hitting with force at impact with the back of my left hand.

I’m not casting the problem doesn’t occur at the top, the early release occurs at approx 12 inches before impact,
I have tried the takeaway with the right wrist hinged at address and the ball back in the stance but this is only a short term band aide solution. Thanks again.
Regards

Chiper

[pnearn]

Re: Releasing to early

My view here is that you should never delibertely try to release the club by manipulating your forearms/wrists (unless you are deliberatey trying to shape the ball). It is something that should happen naturally, a passive release

Read the last paragraph here for a better explanation

http://www.balancepointgolf.com/game_improvement.php

[LowPost42]

Re: Releasing to early

Chiper, if you look at the pros, they have the club at 90º (more or less) to their lead forearm until the club is parallel to the ground (putting their hands just about on their trailing thigh), then their wrists release.

Personally, I find that when I'm lashing at the ball, the late release happens automatically, and my hands snap through impact, and I end up with a tour trajectory. This is all achieved with 'dead hands' - I keep them loose and relaxed throughout the swing (which also causes a bit of overswinging, in my case).

When I swing 'easy', my hands start to release at hip high, and I pull the ball a little.

When I try to 'delay the release' intentionally, I'm always slow, and push the ball (or it fades hard).

So, my best advice (and the popular advice) is to keep your hands relaxed, and use your body to swing.

Remember - Bobby Jones' arms dropped at 9.8 meters/second.

In other words - he let gravity pull the down.

[chiper]

Re: Releasing to early

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and tips, it has been very helpful and much appreciated,

My iron play has much improved, Now I need to work on some problems with the driver.

Thanks again.

Regards

Chiper.