Increase Clubhead Speed with Proper Release - Part 3 of 7

Sorry, you need to be a member to access this video.
You Are Just Seconds Away - Become a member here!
Already a member? Log in now

In part 3 of the "Keys to RST" series, I am going to show you how to increase your clubhead speed instantly with a proper release. In the first 2 videos, I discussed some simple physics and how to work into a tour quality impact position. Now that you have control of the club in the hitting area, it's time to speed things up tremendously. If you want more distance off the tee without having to work so hard, then you need to watch this video now!

  • 60% of your clubhead speed is generated through the release. 
  • Make sure you have control of the clubface in the hitting area before adding in the speed. 


In the first 2 videos of the "Keys to RST" series, I talked about some simple push vs. pull physics and how to get into a tour quality impact position. Now, it is time to speed things up drastically with a proper release of the golf club.

One of the most critical concepts of the release is a term known as "lag". Lag is simply defined as an angle between the shaft of the club and the forearms. This angle is extremely important to clubhead speed and it is considered potential energy for the release of the club. Note: this angle can be a double edged sword unless you know how to get rid of it properly. Check out a great video called "Re-shaping your swing for lag". This video will show you a step by step process to build a proper angle for lag and set you up for a perfect release in the hitting area.

Back to the release! What is it? Well, the definition of release is to let go. This is the big pay off in the golf swing and can attribute to 60% of your clubhead speed. That's right, over 2/3 of your clubhead speed is gained 3 feet prior to impact. However, in order to set yourself up for mind blowing speed, you must have lag in your downswing.

Now that we have a clear understanding of just how important lag (potential energy) and the release are to the swing. Why do amateur golfers struggle so much with getting speed or proper impact? The biggest issue that is seen among all amateur golfers is that they start to throw the club right from the top of the swing. This is generally caused by your dominant hand/arm and maybe a bit of your less dominant thumb. The trail arm and the lead thumb are in the only position that is behind the club and can attribute to the club being pushed or thrown out away from you. This can rob you of precious speed in the hitting area, cause you to flip or scoop the shot and even get you into that dreaded chicken wing position.

How do you correct it? Plain and simple, do less with your hands and arms from the top of the swing down. Allow the lower body movements in transition to pull your hands down into the hitting area and you will have all kinds or stored potential energy and be ready to release the club for maximum speed at impact. Right where it counts the most. Check out a great drill to help you pull your arms down with the lower body called "Squat to Square".

After you have masterd the downswing sequence and you have stopped throwing the club from the top of the swing, check out one of the most important videos on RotarySwing.com known as "5 minutes to a perfect release" this video will walk you through a step by step process on how to train a tour style release and get you tons of speed. Once you have mastered that, check out the "Vijay release drill" and get 20, 30 or even 40 yards added instantly off the tee.

I'm Chuck Quinton, founder of RotarySwing Golf. In the previous two videos I talked a lot about the physics of the impact position and release, and how it impacts how you get into a great tour quality impact position. In this video, I'm going to talk a little bit more about the release and it's importance.

                One of the things that's critical in the golf swing that we all know about and want, typically most amateurs want more of and better players want to get rid of, is this concept of lag. The lag is, again, to redefine it, just the angle between the forearms and the shaft, whether you define it between a left arm and right arm, it's not important for our discussion point for now, but this angle is potential energy, as I discuss in the first video, but that potential energy is useless if you don't release it. So in other words, if you have this great angle and you hold it all the way down to impact and you hit the ball like this, well you haven't released it and it doesn't give you any more speed.

                This is critical because the release of this lagging or the release of the angle from your wrists accounts for over 60% of your club head speed. Over 2/3 of your speed comes from just from the release of your wrists. So to have this lag angle, to have this potential energy and then properly release it, is the essence of the golf swing. It is the most important part of the swing. Most amateurs struggle because they release it incorrectly and start doing it too soon, and as they do that, they get into this position because they're pushing from the right side. If you watched the first two videos, you'll understand what that means, and as they're doing that the lag angle's getting thrown away and they get into this scoopy, chicken wing impact position.

                To understand how to release the club, you've got to understand what the word release really means. Think about that for a second. You hear this term on TV all the time or for golf instructors or other golfers, "Aww, I didn't release the club." What does that mean, literally, to release something? Well, it means to let go. If you really release something, that's when you let it go and that's when it's going to accelerate the most. The trick is how you release the club and the golf swing is everything. So when we talk about that, we're talking about getting rid of this angle and letting the forms and club face rotate over. You can see the club can move very fast without my body doing much of anything. That's giving me a lot of speed just because I'm properly releasing the club without having to do much with my body.

                Now to do that correctly, I want you to think about how'd you swing a hammer. If you were to use a hammer and we're going to use either hand for now, this angle that you create is what gives you the potential energy to get a lot of speed into that nail without a lot of effort. You don't heave your body into it, and hack at it with your arm, you get the majority of your speed from the release of your wrists. Think about that. If you're holding onto a hammer really tight, and your wrist is really tight, you can't get a lot of speed out of it because your wrist can't move very fast compared to keeping your wrist soft and letting it release with a lot of speed.

                I have a great video that's going to show you a really cool trick that's going to help you pick up at least 20 yards off the tee. If you're not releasing the club properly and don't have lag, this video, I call it The VJ Release Drill, is going to show you not only how to properly rotate and release the golf club, but it's going to show you how to pick up a tremendous amount of effortless speed all from doing less in your 

 

 

Must be Premium Member to Comment

64x64
Colin
I'm having trouble when teeing the ball above the club and forward in my stance. I'm either coming completely under the ball or pulling it straight left! I f I address the ball some distance behind so I hit it on the up. It seems that there's a lot of timing involved and I'm either not releasing (going under the ball) or releasing too early and pulling straight left. I'm having to play a safe drive by teeing lowish and from an iron position with a safeish too short result.
February 24, 2019
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Colin. Teeing it lower right now to get over the hump is perfectly normal. But, it sounds like you are coming very steeply into the ball. I would work on shallowing out your plane and maintaining better angle into the strike. Use the Keep the Rear Shoulder Back Video and How to Fix Plane and Path Video to start shallowing out the plane better.
February 25, 2019
64x64
Coleman
how do I find the DJ release
October 9, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Coleman. Vijay Release. Just put Vijay in your search box.
October 10, 2017
64x64
Brandon
Should the golf grip lead the clubhead (left of the belly button) at the 3 o'clock position or should the golf grip be pointed toward the belly button at the 3 o'clock position? Wanting to make sure I'm not over-rotating my shoulders or keeping them too open through the ball.
January 26, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brandon. If I am gathering the question correctly it will be pointed more towards the belly button.
January 26, 2017
64x64
Lane
I am struggling with understanding the release. To release I have to "stall" the body, but if I stall the body everything is pushed to the right but my arms are extended as prescribed. There has to be a middle ground I am missing.
July 5, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lane. The body has to slow in order to transfer the energy from your kinetic chain. Take a look at the Left Hand Release Drill and the Throw the Club Head at the Ball Video to help.
July 6, 2016
64x64
Lane
Will Do. Thanks
July 6, 2016
64x64
Charles
I consistently contact the golf ball toward the toe of the club. Most of golf shots are straight, sometimes to the left - and rarely to the right. When I do have center of the club head contact, my distance is significantly improved. Any comments, drills or suggestions as to contacting the ball in the center of the club face?
June 10, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Charles. Take a look at the Curing Elbow Pain Video. You might be over rotating a little.
June 11, 2016
64x64
Edmund
Just got back from going through every club in the bag, they are a little long for my posture. When I choke down 1/2 inch to 3/4 the impact is precise (center of club face). So the question is, is it ok to choke down on every club in the bag or should I get them cut down? Or are we talking about all new shafts custom cut to my precise length?
May 30, 2016
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Go see a reputable fitter in your area and have them take a look at your current set. Ideally you dont want to be choked down on the club because this can be costing you speed.
May 31, 2016
64x64
Charles
I cannot find the other six parts of this series. The search function is of no help.
May 21, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Charles. They are all located in the Advanced Introduction Section.
May 21, 2016
64x64
Loran
If most of the speed and power come from the release of the angle of the wrist, then the club does the major job of driving the ball farther? Which is more important for distance? Building muscles or better golf equipment?
March 26, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. Lag and release will constitute just above 60% of the power in the swing. Better mechanics and physically fit are more important than a new driver. What you can see a lot of these days is that the ball plays a huge role in distance. Drivers distance wise really can't be greater than what they currently are.
March 26, 2016
64x64
Christian
The search function does appear to work?
January 4, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Christian. I tested everything on my end and it is working properly. I apologize that you are experiencing an error. Make sure you are using Chrome and/or Firefox. If the problem persists. Please contact Customer Support.
January 4, 2016
64x64
Christian
Okay, thanks.
January 5, 2016
64x64
John
Where do I find the VJ release drill that Chuck refers to?
November 6, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. If you look at the Recommended Tab to the Top Right of the Screen you will see it there. Also, the Advanced Downswing Section.
November 7, 2015
64x64
colin
Hi, Great illustration which has helped me greately with weight shift and stop over the top move by taking right side and right hand out of downswing ball contact much more consistent with longer hits. Many thanks Colin.
May 21, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Colin. Great. Love to hear the good news!
May 21, 2015
64x64
Theodore
video cuts off before end. where is bonus video?
May 19, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Theodore. The Vijay Release Drill is in the Recommended Videos Tab at the Top Right or in the Downswing Advanced Section.
May 19, 2015
64x64
Greg
Hi RST peeps, the video cuts out after only 3 mins and 15 secs. What happened to the rest?
May 19, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Greg. The Vijay Release Drill is in the Recommended Videos Tab at the Top Right or in the Downswing Advanced Section. It is the follow up after 3:15.
May 19, 2015
64x64
Hans
Holy cr*p I think I finally got my body to stop pushing!!! The VJ release drill video really helped, especially the part about gripping with the last 3 fingers of the left hand only. I've been left-arm-only swinging my 8 iron in the living room for 3 days straight and my wife is ready to kill me (15 straight days of rain, ugh). Finally feel like from the top of the swing I'm pulling the grip down towards the impact position instead of trying to move the club head. Light Bulb moment!!! Oh where was this 30 years ago?!?
May 18, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Edwin. Great. Sounds like you are on the right track! Love to hear it. Apologize about the 30 years though. Chuck and Co. needed a little time to develop .
May 19, 2015
64x64
Stefano
Hey guys... please help me understand here: so when you begin the downswing, you do the weight shift, and as your torso unwinds and the wrists are supposed to be "relaxed" as you pull with your left side, it will automatically create the "lag" but at point of impact you release the club. How much strength are you actually putting on your hands? If feels that I need to put power on my hand. Is that a wrong thing to do? I don't understand the concept of feeling loose at impact.
May 18, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stefano. You are looking for snap/speed. Not brute force. A good demonstration of the difference is in the Sledgehammer Video in the Advanced Downswing Section. Grip pressure will increase, but the wrist will be relaxed for snap. Think like cracking a whip you hold on to the whip, but let it snap.
May 18, 2015
64x64
user97390
How does Rotary Golf fit in with a two plane swing instruction by Jim Hardy. I have a two plane swing. How do I know which of your videos fit a two plane vs a one plane swing?
May 17, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello User97390. RST is a parallel shift plane. A one plane swing with elevation. Some parts may seem the same. But, more emphasis on biomechanics and using all 3 of our power sources. Leverage, width and rotation.
May 18, 2015
64x64
Evan
After mentioning v-j drill video stops is that the end of video?
May 17, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Evan. Yes. Then, follow up this video with the Vijay Drill.
May 18, 2015
64x64
Alf
May 17, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Alf. Do you have a question about the video?
May 18, 2015
64x64
Don
How do I find part 4 of the series?
May 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Don. Only Parts 1-3 have been released. Part 4 will be upcoming.
May 16, 2015
64x64
Brian
Where is the full video or the second part to this video? It stopped before it could finish
May 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Brian. Vijay Release Drill in the Recommended Videos Tab at the Top Right or in the Downswing Advanced Section.
May 15, 2015
64x64
John
where is the training video you refer to in this segment???
May 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. Vijay Release Drill in the Recommended Videos Tab at the Top Right or in the Downswing Advanced Section.
May 15, 2015
64x64
ROBERT
I liked the gentleman's comments in the email and totally agree! I'm coming up on my 4th yr as a member and it is great to have these quick reminders. One thing though, it seems like each video is cutting cut off before its completed. I'm sure were not missing much but thought you would want to know. These are truly helping, thanks RST!
May 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Robert. I will look into the situation. Appreciate the membership and follow post to help other members out with maybe a similar situation.
May 15, 2015
64x64
Robert
Where is the DJ release drill?
May 15, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
The Vijay release drill can be found in the recommended videos tab to the right of the video player or in the full swing advanced downswing section. You could also use the search function to find "Vijay Release Drill" R.J.
May 15, 2015
64x64
George
Why don't you all check recommended videos at the top right on each screen..... or is that too far advanced ? ? ?
May 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey George. Sometimes the site can be confusing for our new members. Nonetheless, appreciate the information on where the follow up video is.
May 15, 2015
64x64
Edward
Good video but it finished mid way through.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Edward. Are you still experiencing technical difficulties?
May 15, 2015
64x64
Mike
The video quit in mid sentence. Is there more?
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
The follow up video is located in the Recommended Videos tab at the top right of the screen.
May 15, 2015
64x64
ken
where is the rest of the video?
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
The follow up video is located in the Recommended Videos tab at the top right of the screen.
May 15, 2015
64x64
agop
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Agop. The follow up video is located in the Recommended Videos tab at the top right of the screen.
May 15, 2015
64x64
John
If you achieve soft wrists what starts the energy release? Legs, Hips, Shoulders, Wrist release?
May 14, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Robert is correct. Supple wrists, which is assisted by grip pressure that's on the light side, will help you maintain lag and release the club efficiently and the power created by the kinetic sequence will transmit maximum energy into the ball with minimal effort. R.J.
May 15, 2015
64x64
robert
Like a whip when you decelerate your hips, then shoulders then arms the energy is release. See the kinetic chain video, the explain it nicely with visual aids
May 14, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Nice work!
May 15, 2015
64x64
John
Where is the VJ release film. or is that the next Part?
May 14, 2015
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
John, Here is the Vj release video for you, it is under the advanced downswing section. http://www.rotaryswing.com/videos/full-swing-advanced/downswing/vijay-release-drill. Steven
May 14, 2015
64x64
John
I found it in the downswing section, not where you sent me. What's up with that? First of all the video I was watching should have sent me to the VJ video. Design problem fundamentally. So much for the new design. So fundamentally not your problem but you have to know how to get around it, flawed though it may be.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. Steven is correct. If you go to the Downswing Section it is located in the Advanced Category. If you look at the Recommended Videos Tab Located at the Top Right of your screen under this video it is also there. We apologize for the confusion you were experiencing.
May 15, 2015
64x64
Alan
Ok, I got it! It's coming down the pipe in a day or two, right!
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Great Alan. Get that Speed!
May 15, 2015
64x64
Alan
Also haven't seen the VJ release video??
May 14, 2015
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Alan- Here is the Vj Video- http://www.rotaryswing.com/videos/full-swing-advanced/downswing/vijay-release-drill. it was under the advanced downswing section.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Tom
So where is the VJ release video? the video you provided cut-off
May 14, 2015
64x64
Robert
May 15, 2015
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Tom- Here is the Vj Release Video for you: http://www.rotaryswing.com/videos/full-swing-advanced/downswing/vijay-release-drill. The last two words chuck was going to say in the video were golf swing. Chris Tyler in one of the comments down below explains also.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Mike
Where's the DJ Release video? searched for it but came up empty. As with part 2, you intro a video but don't tell us where it is.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Mike- Here is the VJ Release Vido: http://www.rotaryswing.com/videos/full-swing-advanced/downswing/vijay-release-drill. It is under the advanced downswing seciton
May 14, 2015
64x64
Mike
WTF the video just stops. Where are parts 4 through 7? Can't find them via search
May 14, 2015
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Mike- Parts 4 through 7 have not yet ben released on the webiste, but Chuck will continue to make these videos and release for the webiste when appropriate. Steven
May 14, 2015
64x64
robert
Nice point you got across and though this may seem nit picky but you actually don't release your wrist when you use a hammer properly. You swing from the elbow/shoulder and hold your wrist for control and to keep the face square to your nail but like I said you got your point across.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Robert. . We win some, we lose some.
May 15, 2015
64x64
robert
Not a loss, the point was very clear. Just thought I'd point out the little irony
May 16, 2015
64x64
earl
Chuck - video seems to just end. Not sure the ending is what you intended.
May 14, 2015
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Earl -- For some reason the video does cut off before the last 2 words. He says "golf swing". Final line is less in your golf swing.
May 14, 2015
64x64
paul
As when you release a hammer, the point of expected impact on the club (as it relates to the same relative space on the hammer) is at the hosel on the underside of the shaft (furthest from the toe)- correct? If so, is it the case that one would need to be forgetting about the squareness of the face and just let it square naturally as the physics of our joints and gravity do this naturally?
May 14, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Paul, yes, the hosel is the small section of the club head that extends to the shaft where the shaft connects into the head. There are drills that can be done to train your mind to release the club properly. We can't forget it entirely, but the less that you try to actually manipulate the club with your hands during the downswing, the more it will stay on the intended path provided by your body movements. As Chris Tyler likes to say, "You gotta be out of control to be in control". If you check out the "Trace the Plane Line", "5 minutes to the perfect release" and "The Golf Grip - How To" videos, you should be able to get to a point where you won't need to think about releasing your club and just concentrate on the other body movements. R.J.
May 15, 2015
Array
(
)

We're after one thing: Real Results - Real Fast. And that's exactly what our members achieve. And that's why they say the AXIOM is: Mind-blowing. Game changing. Revolutionary.

Check it out ...

Here at RotarySwing, talk is cheap and the proof is always in the pudding. Come see the massive transformations we can achieve together in your swing.

See for yourself ...

From beginner to pro, we have what you need to get you where you want to go.

See how inside ...

RotarySwing was founded out of frustration with the current state of golf instruction. Quinton knew a better way had to exist to learn this game we all love.

Learn more ...