These days, everybodyâs looking for more power and speed. How else are you going to keep up with your buddies â not to mention the guys and gals on TV? The game is getting faster. Learn from Kevin Chappell to keep pace.
The Common Mistake
Previously, Kevin tended to âslideâ on his downswing, shifting his weight too far forward (as in toward the target; photo right). Whatâs wrong with that? Basically, it meant that at times Kevin, and the millions of recreational golfers who make this move, was missing out on maximizing his downswing rotation, which we know through research is critical for consistent power creation. By sliding, youâll struggle to get enough power out of your downswing. Who wants that?
What Kevin Does
Some of your downswing speed comes from rotating your hips and your torso. It also generates from forces applied by your feet, too. Youâve heard golfers increasingly âusing the groundâ for power. What that means is that by pushing your lead foot forward across the surface of the ground (i.e., sliding it âfrictionallyâ along the grass), you can generate more torque.
What You Should Do
Oddly enough, your kidâs skateboard can help. Place it under your front foot (1). As you move into your downswing, slide the skateboard forward toward the ball (2). Itâll give you the sensation of correctly pushing forward with that foot. That force (anterior frictional push) is what helps you use the ground to rotate your front hip âaround the corner.â Your rotation will improve â and your speed will, too. If you donât have a skateboard at the ready, use the next best thing: an imaginary skateboard! That sensation of sliding four imaginary wheels toward the ball as you begin your downswing will help generate the forceful feeling you need to max out your turn.