Tension In Arms Kills Golf Swing Speed
November 7, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
Unless you’re Camilo Villegas, or 20 years old, tension in your arms is not a good thing! If you want to hit your drives as far as you can, it’s not the effort (tension) you put into it, it’s the higher clubhead swing speed. How many times have you tried to KILL it and the ball went nowhere? I know, because I’m guilty of that more times than I can count. Why, as golfers can’t we learn it’s not how hard we swing, but how relaxed and fluid we swing that creates higher swing speeds and ultimately more distance.
Relaxed Golf Grip
Once you learn how to grip a golf club, you must relax those hands. It starts with the fingers and goes up through your palm, and ultimately the pressure on the grip itself. Look down at your hands just before you make your swing. Do your knuckles look a little white? Are the veins in your hands sticking out more than normal? These are telltale signs you are gripping the club too tightly, causing excess tension to run right up your arms and into your shoulders. This is a KILLER of swing speed and distance.
It’s All In Your Waggle
You’ve seen all the pros do it. Maybe even your golf buddies. It’s called the golf waggle. This is one of the most effective ways to release tension in your hands and arms before you start your swing. The waggle is movement. Movement decreases tension. Doing this right before you take the club away will eliminate 90% of the tension in your arms, enabling you to maximize clubhead speed and distance. Next time you play, make sure to waggle the club and feel the tension leave your arms. Then within a second start your swing. Do NOT waggle, then set your club behind the ball and freeze! This is a waste of your waggle and will not release any tension in your arms before you swing.
Get Your Breathing Right
You’d be surprised how many golfers hold their breath when they swing. When you stop breathing, you create tension. Just think of yoga. They are constantly working on their breathing DURING their stretches. As a golfer, you should be aware of your breathing when you start your swing. After your swing starts, it happens to quickly for you to pay attention to it, but definitely before you swing, take a deep breath and then LET IT OUT before you start your golf swing. When you let your breath out, you will feel and even see your muscles relax.
One last thing!
I know this may sound counter-intuitive, but learning how to slow down your golf swing, will actually help speed it up. Your arms will be so loose, you speed will be better
Give these tips a try, and if you like them, you’ll want to get our FREE 25 Golf Lessons to help you even more!
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My name is Mike Pedersen, and not only am I a golf swing trainer, but I am a fanatic student of the golf swing. I have spent the past 15 years studying the game.