How to unlock power you’re not using, according to one of golf’s best teachers | Instruction

If you’re looking to increase your shot distance, consider how you’ll move your body and club into impact – golf instructors call this a “movement”. Many common power losses can be corrected by synchronizing the downswing, allowing you to effectively put the speed you generate into the ball. Michael Jacobs, one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Instructors in America, demonstrates how the right sequence can improve your contact and your body’s dynamic position – and unleash power you’re not using.

Start driving the ball longer with Jacobs’ three easy swing checkpoints and check out his Science of Speed ​​series in Golf Digest Schools.

Don’t overtake yourself

If your misses fly low and you lack the carry needed for long drives, you may have been told that it’s because you hold your head high. However, Jacobs says those line drive shots are often a lower body issue.

Jacobs says that when a golfer tries too hard to free their hips – a common well-intentioned piece of advice – the hips can open up too quickly and the golfer’s head moves up and back as a result. This redirects the clubhead over the intended path so that it touches the ball high, resulting in a skinny shot, a ground ball, or even a spin.

“What you want to do is teach yourself to turn your belt buckle into your lead shank,” says Jacobs.

Watch Jacobs demonstrate the following move:

Jacobs says that perfecting this movement will help you rotate your hips without your upper body pulling out of the shot. This allows the racquet to land in the right spot, resulting in consistent hits down the middle.

Calibrate your shot position

One of the most important keys to powerful drives is understanding how your racquet should track impact. As you watch the pros hit the ball, you’ll find that they always hit it at the right point in their swing, with the face straight and the clubhead moving on a good path. Jacobs says this allows them to use their speed at the right moment and reach their full performance potential.

To make sure there’s no speed or power on the table, try calibrating your shot with Jacobs’ driver-half-shot drill.

Set like you’re hitting your normal drive, swing up and start down slowly, stopping when you reach the ball. Assess how your club looks when it comes into contact, says Jacobs. Then ask yourself if you are moving the club so that it hits the ball in the right spot with the clubface.

Watch Jacobs demonstrate the following move:

From there, put a half swing on the ball and start anchoring that newly calibrated point of impact. This will help you direct your speed and get it at just the right time, says Jacobs.

Discover the secret of effortless performance

“When you see golfers swinging effortlessly and still hitting the ball far, they let that club get out of the way at just the right time,” says Jacobs.

Jacobs research has shown that the best players in the world are impeccable at timing their energy transfers. When done correctly, this transfer of energy from the body to the racquet actually slows body movement from impact. As the body slows, energy shoots toward the racquet—and into the ball.

RELATED: Butch Harmon’s quick tips for driving without exercise

How do you perfect this power move?

The first step is to understand how to transfer energy from your body to the outside. Jacobs’ backhand exercise will help you learn this – and you don’t even need a racquet.

Get into your rider stance and let your lead arm hang straight down with the back of your hand pointing toward the target. Tuck your trail hand behind your back or in your front pocket. Now simulate a normal swing and stop at your impact position.

Watch Jacobs demonstrate the following move:

To feel the right energy transfer, Jacobs says, imagine playing the ball with your backhand at impact. When done correctly, he says, you should feel the energy move from your body to your arm and into your guiding hand. The energy is thrown outwards.

Jacobs says if you don’t transfer the energy efficiently, you’ll know because your arm will feel slow and you won’t get that powerful backhand. Practice this exercise to perfect your timing and gain more strength.