It’s impossible to release power through the ball if you don’t first of all create it on the backswing. One of my main swing thoughts with the driver is to get my left shoulder behind the ball at the top of my swing while keeping my right knee flexed (left). In fact, the greater the distance between your left shoulder and the ball, while resisting the coiling motion with your lower body, the farther you will hit the ball.
The leading American coach, Jim MacLean, calls this the ‘Y’ factor, illustrated here with a graphic. The key here, however, is to avoid swaying to the right, as that is a false way of getting behind the ball and it doesn’t generate power. You have to learn to turn your shoulders and coil into the right side while keeping your right knee flexed and as steady as possible. Once you are able to do that, you will enjoy the true sensation of ‘coil and release’ – creating and harnessing real dynamic power that is translated into clubhead speed.