Re-educate your left arm for a dynamic release, more speed, more distance.

One of the reasons amateurs struggle with the consistency of their ball-striking (and fail to maximise their potential for generating clubhead speed) is they lose the vital ‘connection’ between their arms and body in the through-swing. Typically, in the case of golfers who tend to slice the ball, the problem (which in itself can be traced to a tendency to want to lift the ball into the air) is that the left arm works out and away from the body – known as the ‘chicken-wing’ over here in the states. The result is a massive loss of speed. To experience the difference in speed, make some swings with a sand wedge while only holding the club with your left hand (as I am doing here). But as a variation of the exercise, turn the club upside down, hold the head with your left hand and swing the grip. Purposefully ‘chicken-wing’ your left arm through impact and listen for any noise (there won’t be much!). Now perform that swing again, but this time place your right hand on your left bicep keeping your left arm close to your body. Now your left arm will rotate and fold through impact and into the followthrough. Listen to the difference in the swish you are now able to create. You can hit balls like this with your wedge.

Just make sure to tee the ball up and make nice easy swings clipping the ball off the tee. Your finish will feel compact, with your elbows more in front of your body, as pictured here (right). This will take a lot of pressure off your upper body and shoulder area. You should really start to sense how the power is then transferred into the clubhead as speed, and you will enjoy that wonderful feeling of effortless power. Rather than use brute force, you are swinging the clubhead.