Stop Slicing and Start Releasing the Golf Club

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In this video, I’ll show you how to release your club to stop slicing and get better compression and explosive distance. You’ll find out: 1) Why a "body release" requires way too much effort and may cause you to slice your shots, and 2) How “throwing your club” encourages an efficient and powerful release.

  • In Release - Letting Go of Energy From Body Out to Club
  • Releasing Energy Mostly From Right Arm
  • Clubface Will Rotate Independent of Body
  • Releasing w/ Body is More Effort and Slower
  • Left Arm Rotates Through Impact/ Squaring at Impact
  • Right Arm Adds Speed as If Throwing

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Asle
How does this push release relate to the RH GOAT release? In the push release there's talk about holding the club face square thru the release. That's not the case in the Tiger release or have I misunderstood this?
November 4, 2023
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Asle. Tiger still releases the club freely as designated above. It has changed throughout the years and when this video was shot. A true push release you can hold the face a little more stable through the hitting area but more body rotation will be involved.
November 6, 2023
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James
Hi Craig, been working hard trying to get this post up correct but think I have to accept that I am not going to get that lead leg straight at impact. I have been really trying hard to get this squat to square move right but I feel this causes a big problem with that gammy leg of mine. I get to the squat bit but because I have to push up more in the slightly lower squat position, this is causing issues with that knee and ultimately I do not get to release so well. Have been working all day today on my videos for the review tomorrow. When I do not make an effort to do that squat move, I swing much freer and with a better release. So after a rest at lunch time, I just concentrated in trying to clear that lead hip and posting up at impact. See here the result, albeit with the slightly bent knee. Will up the videos tomorrow.
September 19, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. I know the lead leg is going to cause issues. You don't need a massive squat. As long as the glutes are engaged, weight is shifted, and your hips are moving through the positions we will work with what we have. And, what we have is one of the best impact slides I've seen from you in a real swing.
September 19, 2020
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James
Thanks for your comments Craig and totally accept about that tush line that is really bugging me. To clarify about my squat comment I am referring to creating a bigger angle than 70, i.e. my butt going overly too much into sitting. I the review video I was more focused on the feet and legs and not thinking about squatting. I could not quite discern what the video you referred to in order to delete the squat a bit for me. Was it "Perfect your golf impact - 2 of 4"?
September 22, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Perfect Your Golf Impact 4 of 4. We are going to need to get that change of direction sooner and the lag increasing so you don't race down the arms and hands. That way we can get a head start on the leg work.
September 22, 2020
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James
LOL I'd only got half way but even that was helpful. Left comment on 4 of 4 and thanks for this. )
September 22, 2020
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James
I have upped my review but one area that I need to sort out, not mentioned in the review, is my tush line. I am aware of losing it and the conundrum of the issues I have with the squat. However, looking at https://rotaryswing.com/golf-instruction-videos/bonus-series-basics/live-online-lessons/live-lesson-tush-line-consistency at the 23.16 part, doing what Chuck said of loading up that lead glute in the way he shows it there, I do find it easier to do and will work on that. Feel that my action of almost litrally sitting into the squat position I have overdone it somewhat by increasing that 70 deg angle in my lead and trail leg in the move forward and is making it so much harder to push that lead heel into the ground to maintain that tush line because of the additional load being placed on that knee. Have already worked on this a bit today and it does seem to impinge on that knee so much. I also stood a tad further from the ball to give me a bit more room. Been working on this and where Chuck shows about lifting his trail foot to indicate the weight on the lead leg is a big, big issue, as doing that causes some pain in my lead femur and do not think I should contemplate doing this. Hope you can figure another way round this. Did a video (no ball) with camera facing lead side and this is a capture at impact.
September 20, 2020
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James
Thank you for your comments in my review Craig and if you look at my comment below regarding regarding what I have been doing in my study, this relates to what you were saying in my review of that laid off club at the top and the fact that I have overly rotated the left arm in the takeaway. This, in my opinion, has created as a habit by practising my swing in my study where if I don't rotate the left arm to create that laid off look I'm going to poke a hole in my study ceiling and V will be really mad :(( now I don't want that so no more attempts with a full swing, even with a wedge, in my study and hopefully I will get out of overly rotating the left arm to create that laid off position at the top. I have the same problem in my garage. Although the garage has a pitched roof, the lower storage area prevents me making a full swing. So dependent on weather it is outside only for full swings, with half swing indoors.
September 9, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. It makes sense with the lower ceilings and having to be a little more careful. I don't think this will be a tough correction. Just going to have to monitor over usage of the arms. Big turn/tiny arm swing!
September 9, 2020
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James
Already been out on my front lawn working on just that. Feeling my Y stays in front of my chest with the right arm extending away from target with the chest and right shoulder pulling behind my head controlling passive arms and I am getting a big turn and swing. Then just before I reach the top I am using the lower body to drive forward with the lead hip rotating my lower body and feel my lead glute is pulling away from target. I hope in the next few days to get a video of this but some work in the garden first planting stuff for next year!
September 9, 2020
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James
I found this a really good video to watch and feel I have made progress in this area. Craig I upped my review and this is a capture of my release compared with Chuck. BTW, I am using my 7 iron here as the grip of my 8 iron has become a bit loose, the grip itself is OK but is moving on the shaft and wonder if this has been affecting my swing as it has been like this for some time. When you look at the review videos I am aware that I still need that right arm to extend a bit more and to delay the wrist cocking a bit, letting the arms and wrist stay more passive and letting the transition create it. I also need to have my body and lead shoulder staying a bit lower as I transit forward and to clear that lead hip more at post up but not sure that to achieve this I will be able to post and straighten that gammy lead leg of mine. When I focus on that I do not seem to be able to release so well. I am much happier with this release here, especially if I can get that lead hand more bowed and the back towards target at impact.
September 7, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. I understand the gammy leg issue. I think that is much improved. We can work on getting the slight more bowed look for you. Glad you caught the issue with the 8 iron. May have been making counter adjustments to not take advantage of the new changes.
September 7, 2020
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James
One of the things I have not been happy with is I feel I swing a bit flat. What is not helping is when I work on my swing in my study, because I do not have a high ceiling there, I have to swing more like that to avoid hitting the ceiling. When I do my dogs upstairs bark like mad and make V very unhappy! So when I practice in there from now on I will have to keep to no more than half swings as it creating a habit I want to get rid of. Been working tonight on my extension, so that when the club is parallel my right arm is in the same position as at address. Checking this in my reflection of my double glass doors and it looks much better, plus no handsy movement as the V of my arms and chest maintain connection.
September 8, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. Yes. And, you can also take note of your elbow positioning. If it starts to fold excessively, or below the lead elbow too much those hands got over active. Much important to not upset dogs or V .
September 9, 2020
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James
Checked this out again this evening, in case I dropped into my old habit, and it still looks good. When the club reaches parallel, the right elbow flex is no different to what it is at address and the trail arm is above the lead arm with maximum distance from my right hip. of the butt of the club. I feel good tension building up on my right thigh and glute, also in the right side of the calf muscle. Regarding control of the club, I feel all my hands and arms are doing is just supporting the club, with the body doing the work.
September 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. The notes sound good to me. Body doing the work. Arms just supporting and not manipulating the club around.
September 10, 2020
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James
In addition to what I am doing here Craig I have made some comments on "Golf Backswing Shoulder Plane Drill" video about the feet in the swing that I would appreciate your advice on. It is in conjunction of what is being discussed here. Many thanks.
September 11, 2020
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James
Thanks for the review Craig but do have some words to say about this situation regarding my trail heel at post up. I made a longer comment on Chucks latest video "The Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill" about the situation of the trail heel at post up. Even here Chuck certainly lets his heel lift at post up at the 6.32 mark and it is well off the ground when his left arm is parallel to the ground where he is posted up at 6.53 mark and as shown in attached capture. Furthermore, DJ shows clearly his lead heel leaves the ground at post up. I have to admit that this is now causing me to become somewhat confused. If you read my comment in the video mentioned above you will see more of my thoughts.
August 28, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. I will take a look at your other post for further info. The heel will eventually come up. After the club is released and you start going into a full follow thru. The trail foot will roll onto the instep which mean some of that heel will be up. The main point is to try and not push off the heel.
August 28, 2020
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James
I certainly do not try to push off with the trail heel, in fact my focus over recent weeks has been to try and push my lead (left) foot into the ground as I start my transition. I do feel that this action does affect my tush line though, as the harder I push into ground in an effort to make it push that left hip back and away from the ball, I feel my tush line is compromised, plus I feel like I am being prevented from making a bit of a squat and standing up a bit early. Maybe, I exert that pressure into the ground with my lead foot too early. However, doing what Chuck is showing in his latest video "The Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill" of letting his heel release from the ground as he comes into post up. If you look at his comment at 17.10 mark where he talks of "by the time you come into the magic box" you can see clearly see his trail heel coming off the ground. Prior to that he demonstrates and talks that even he is guilty of pushing off a bit with his trail foot and goes on to say that providing you do not get into a lateral slide, a little bit of push is OK. As you can see here from a capture of that point in that video compared with his release position from "Golf Downswing, Rotary Golf Downswing Overview" , his left heel is clearly off the ground even before post up. I am not being critical of that movement, in fact as I mentioned in my comment in that latest video, it has helped me and I find I get a much smoother release with my trail leg gliding more effortlessly towards target, whereas trying to maintain the inside of the heel of the trail foot at post up definitely inhibits me from making a smooth effortless swing. It seems to me a slight shift in emphasis in RST about the role of this trail heel/foot. I have no critical comment about this as I think the golf swing is always evolving over time, possibly in this case from the long drive hitters who definitely have their trail heel, even foot come off the ground at post up. It will be interesting though to hear from you on your take on that point.
August 29, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. I know you have a discussion going on with Chuck about the images on the other forum. I will let you continue those talks with him so I don't cloud the view. The vast majority of players push too much off the trail foot. Which is why we have to emphasize so much not to do it. Can you push off the foot for power, etc. Yes. More players way over use this though. If you see in the Throw the Ball Part 2 Video the foot will have to come up a little bit. Chuck's lead side is severely damaged from over the years and he uses sometimes the trail foot to help him move the hips. I know you understand the main goal. Not to over use the right side so much that it cause tush line issues, posture, cast, etc. If it comes off a little bit because you need it to clear the hip because of your left leg/hip issue. I'm not going to yell at you. The only time I get fussy is when I see push that is clearly not being led by the lead side post up. Lead before trail.
August 29, 2020
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Anthony
I believe I hold the club too hard. How soft should the hands, arms and shoulders be. Also is the stance width, 2" outside of NJA determined by the inside of the feet or outside? Cheers.
September 29, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Anthony. The upper half/arms/hands should be fairly relaxed. Most tour pros start at about a 2 at address (1-10 Scale with 1 being the weakest). Take a look at Proper Muscle Activation and My Golf Backswing Secrets. Also, 2 inches outside NJA (hip socket) using the inside of the feet.
September 29, 2018
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Stephen
I have been trying to take right arm out of swing so it is not so dominant , I 'm not trying to push on shaft can you still throw the club correctly at the ball without pushing on the shaft.
September 27, 2018
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Tyler (Certified RST Instructor)
Hi Stephen, the post up move is going to be a driving force of the release. Focus on the left hand and the post up move and once you master those, you can have a better feel for how the right arm can supplement that release. One key of releasing with the right side without pushing is not allowing the right shoulder to drive towards the ball. Once you shoulders are square to the ball, they are done moving.
September 27, 2018
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Mike
Do you have any advice for someone who over-hooks the ball and fights a smother hook when they use this technique?
September 27, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mike. I would check to make sure your shoulders aren't spinning as you release the club. Quick way to hit a hook. Also, take a look at Flip vs Release and How to Stop Hooking the Ball. It may be attributed to trail side push and spine angle which will be covered in the latter video.
September 27, 2018
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Matt
Great video. The irony is releasing the club is truly releasing the control of the shot. Meaning, it feels like I'm giving up total control to get the pull/pull slice under control. I'm really going to work on this as I feel I'm really making good progress.
May 27, 2017
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Hector
In theory looks easy , but when I try to do it I push with my right foot and also I elevate , loose my tush line and my spine tilt it is lost !!!!
March 1, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Hector. Combine Step 2 - Core Rotation or You Hit the Golf Ball with Your Legs and the Chair Drill. Work on rotating around the spine, less trail side push and posting the lead side back into the chair. Then, add the club with proper release.
March 1, 2017
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Loran
In order not to hit errant shots, I must not lose my tush line, stand out and up my golf stance, and keep both shoulders relatively quiet until after impact? Then, so what is the dominant movement in the golf swing, here?
April 3, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. Yes, you need to stay in your posture, maintain tush line and the shoulders will stay relatively quiet. The dominate move will be the lead arm swing and release. You need to use weight transfer, glutes, obliques and plenty of other muscles to achieve a good swing. But, the lead arm and release will feel more like the dominating force.
April 3, 2016
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Giovanni
Is it possible that setting ball up too high on tee is causing my slice? I hit my long 2/3 hybrids straight along with my 3/4 irons. I hit all my irons straight. When I hit driver I am hitting a nasty slice 90% of the times. Could hitting the ball too high on club head cause the high slice that I am getting? I have a callaway razr fit extreme from 2013. I am not coming over the top in my swing by any means.
September 25, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Giovanni. It would be unlikely that teeing it too high would cause a nasty slice. Unless, when you tee it high. You try to add too much manual launch angle. Which would give you excessive secondary tilt making it hard to release properly.
September 26, 2015
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Jim
For pitch shots do you recommend this kind of release or more of a body release....and is the release for a 5-10 yard pitch the same as for a 40-50 yard pitch?
July 19, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jim. A pitch shot release will be much quieter and more inline with a body release. For 5-10 yards you will tend to hold the face a little more than 40-50 yards. It is the same just a smaller version.
July 20, 2015
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Kyle
Hello, I had this video recommended to me. After practicing it, I still feel a little tension and discomfort in my forarms after I practice. I still don't feel like I'm releasing the club and may still be coming over the top a bit. I am trying to work on swinging and releasing out to the right.
April 4, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kyle. If you are still struggling with over the top. Take a look at the Over the Top Stick Drill. It will really exaggerate the swinging out to the right and training the club to release.
April 5, 2015
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David
Great video!!!
April 30, 2014
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