A simple fundamental for power – Brief Article
Butch Harmon
Many players think the key to power is to swing the club past horizontal at the top of the backswing. Not true. It’s much more important to have your right arm in a good position at the top.
The right arm creates space
I really focus on the right hand and arm position at the top of the backswing. Many poor players collapse their arms at the top and let their hands get behind their head (inset photo). You can’t hit with power from there–you’ll tend to spin out and fall back.
Instead, you should have plenty of space between your hands and your head at the top (large photo), even if the club doesn’t get all the way to horizontal.
I tell players to push their right hand as far away from their head as possible at the top. From this position, all you have to do is let your arms and hands drop as you shift your weight toward the target to start the downswing. That’s how to hit with power.
Butch Harmon, No. 1 among America’s 50 Greatest Teachers, as ranked by Golf Digest, teaches at the Butch Harmon School of Golf at Rio Secco, Henderson, Nev.
COPYRIGHT 2001 New York Times Company Magazine Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group
