NOT FOUND: release-club.jpgWhat does it mean to “release” the club? Release is the straightening of the trailing arm (right arm for right-handed players) and right wrist with a certain amount of rotation of the arms through impact. Another way to define release is the amount that the body rotates during the forward swing. If you release or rotate your body more, your hands won’t release as much. A release in which the body rotation is delayed will emphasize more hand release. The amount of rotation is also dependent upon the club’s loft. For example, if you are playing a wedge, you only want to rotate a small amount, making sure the clubface is square to slightly open. As you get to the mid-irons, 5-6-7, you will want to increase the amount of rotation, and with the driver a full body and arm release will provide maximum power to the ball for increased distance. Both ways are acceptable whether you release more with your body or with your hands or a combination of the two.
Failure to release either of the two can result in a blocked or pushed shot. A better release can solve this problem if your ball starts to the right and goes further right.
Two causes of the “blocked” shot are 1) tightness in the forearms which doesn’t allow the arms freedom to rotate along with the body, and 2) moving the swing center forward or ahead of the ball that will inhibit a proper release. Try to relax your arms in the set-up position and maintain the position of your upper body to prevent you from these two possibilities.
Timing the release is also a critical element in the downswing. A player’s timing usually reflects their personality or nature or the way they approach things. Some people talk fast, move fast, which is just part of their being. So more than likely their tempo will be fast in their golf swing. Being too fast causes problems in the tempo of the swing. Although you can have a fast swing, the timing of the release has to match to strike the ball successfully. Working on good tempo will only make the release better. Find a workable tempo for your style, practice it, and your release will flow along right with it.