2 Finger Release Drill

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This awesome drill forces you to release the golf club like a tour pro! You're going to love how it makes it impossible to hit a slice!


Hi, guys. Be honest out there. How many of you are still struggling to get this nice, proper tour quality extension and release in your golf swing? If you're struggling with your release still, you're still using too much body and too much right arm. How do you get rid of that stuff, to get rid of that stupid slice, or the blocks, or the smother hooks? All of that's caused from too much right side dominance, in 99% of the cases. How do you get rid of it?

                I have my favorite drill that's going to force you to release the club like a pro every single time. If you do this drill correctly, it will literally be virtually impossible for you to get into this stuff, or this, where you're smothering it. It's going to teach you the feeling of a proper release. It's a drill you can do both indoors and out. You can do it in the winter. You can do it in the summer. You can do it hitting balls. You can do it while on a conference call, like I do. This drill will make releasing the club a no-brainer. Let's take a look at how we do this.

                The simplest way to force you to start releasing the club is two fingers only. I call it my two-finger release drill. You're going to do it with both hands to train your brain to get the feeling of this. You take your right hand at first, because this is your dominant hand. You make left-handed swings, and you'll find this drill very, very easy. Then you take your left hand, last two fingers on your left hand, and do the same thing.

                What happens here when you have just your two fingers on it, you're going to be like, "This is really hard to control the club." No kidding. That's the point. It's called a release for a reason. What does it mean to release something? It means to let go. If you're death-gripping this thing and steering it through with your hands, you're doing the exact opposite of releasing it. You must release the club for power, consistency, and control. Those three things are kind of important in golf. In fact, it's the most important thing. The release is what provides those three keys to the swing.

                If you're not releasing it, you're always steering it. You're holding off control or holding off power. You're just hitting the equivalent of a checked swing in baseball down the first base line. That's not going to go very well. You're never going to let the club face square up, which is going to allow you to put controlled draw spin on the ball, and stop slicing it, and so on.

                Practice two fingers only, and get these three fingers out of the way, because they're just impeding you from being a good golfer. Make some swings. Don't worry about being too mechanical with it. Shift your weight and turn, the normal stuff. Then hit a couple little easy shots. You don't have to hit these very hard. Just a normal little practice swing.

                What you'll find is it's going to feel very, at first, very unwieldy to get the ball to go where you want it to, like it did there. You may hit some off the heel. You just need to stand a little bit further away. If you're hitting them off the toe, you're ripping your shoulders open.

                Work on getting just these two fingers to release the club, and you'll find that the club naturally turns over. It naturally gets into a squared up release position, and it naturally gets on plane. How would the club ever go up here, and how would it ever go here, unless I'm steering it with my body? The club is always going to naturally release when I use just these last two fingers. Again, it's going to be difficult to control at first. That's normal. I'm trying to teach you to give up control to gain control.

                When you go to put both hands back on the club, the feeling is the same. You're trying to replicate the same thing. Start out really small at first, but still focus on these last two fingers. Make sure the rest of your fingers are holding onto the club very, very lightly. Just make a nice little easy swing, and let go with the right hand, and see if you got the club released. Here you can see that I did. The club is turned over. As long as I did that, and the ball didn't go right, I know that I released the club.

                Then I can start adding a little bit more speed. I can keep the right hand on there a little bit longer and start making normal swings, making full speed releases. And you'll never struggle with a release again.

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James
What a revelation this drill was for me! I now realize how little my arms are used in the swing. It all seems so effortless now(at least when I do it right). Thanks!
July 5, 2023
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Great James. Less in more in the swing!
July 6, 2023
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Auto-Correct. Less is more!
July 6, 2023
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Bill
When you are doing a full swing are the thumb, index finger and forefinger Still off the club?
April 3, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bill. Smaller drilling two fingers only. As you add trail and get into larger swings they will be on the club. But, the focus is only on using the last 2.
April 3, 2020
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Serge
If the trail HAND is supposed to be passive on the club on the downswing and at release, I don't feel I would have enough strength to create as much as speed as I could have had with right hand since I am right handed. I am aware that Chuck says he hits the ball with his leg.
November 26, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Serge. The trail hand doesn't create the hit. The way to think about the trail arm/hand is more like a passive conduit of power. The power gets transferred through the arm and not an active motion of trying to push/power it through.
November 26, 2019
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Nolan
I started working on the release drill and doing full swings. I was making really nice contact and compressing the ball well with my irons and driver, but for some reason, my hybrids and fairway wood was a challenge. Any suggestions on how to practice releasing with hybrids and fairway woods?
July 5, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Nolan. Take a look at Hit Your Fairway Woods Solid Video. Make sure you are setting up correctly and not adding in extra moves.
July 5, 2019
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roger
Hi, how does 'impact position' fit in with all this free flowing release stuff?
March 24, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Roger. Impact should still be correct. The release in Rotary is passive, and not active. If you are allowing for the release of the club to happen with proper body motion. Impact will be correct. In the beginning, you may have to train proper motion with the lead wrist, but with the end goal of letting it go!
March 25, 2019
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Dean
Since it is mentioned in this video to keep the shoulders away from the target as humanly possible would it be of benefit to do this drill left arm only with shoulders maintaining their position away from the target?
February 4, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dean. You don't want to leave the shoulders overly shut at impact. This would tend to cause over rotation of the face too early.
February 4, 2019
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PRIO
During the late stage of the release, my left hand hinged a bit and the stick push back my left thumb toward my body which potentially injured me. Not sure how to resolve thus. Please advice..
January 14, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Prio. Take a look at the Frisbee Drill Video. For now, I would take the lead thumb off the club and allow it to rest. But, this will still allow you in the meantime to work on lag and release. Start gradually adding the thumb back, and allow for more of a neutral/bowed wrist release (Fix Your Release Video).
January 14, 2019
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Dean
I am still somewhat confused as to watching the arms and wrists swing in these drills and then listen that you hit with your legs and body. What are the roles of both in the swing or should this be an individual issue?
December 31, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dean. The legs and the body control the swing and provide the power. The arms are the conduit for power transfer. They must remain soft and directed by the body motion with the allowance to rotate freely to not restrict the release of the club. Body is doing most of the work as the arms are allowed to swing freely to transfer the energy.
December 31, 2018
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Giap
What should my wrists and hands feel during the release?
November 28, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Giap. Take a look at Left Hand Power Release. You should feel like the forearms are rotating over and the lead wrist is flattening/slighty bowing. Also, take a look at Fix Your Release.
November 28, 2018
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Giap
How about my right hand?
November 28, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Giap. You won't need to feel too much with your trail hand. Vijay Release Drill and Right Arm Release Drill.
November 28, 2018
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charles
I’m working on my release and would like to ask a question. In Tigers bio the coach said he would practice his release until he had blood on his form arms from friction??? Should fore arms be that close?
November 4, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Charles. The forearm will be close, or slightly toughing. No need to make the skin raw though.
November 4, 2018
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Drew
Hi. Question on this video and technique. When Chuck says to hold the club with 2 fingers, he describes in detail what to do with the left hand but when you put the right hand back on the club which 2 fingers should you be using? Is it the pinky plus next, or the index finger?
August 2, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Drew. Ideally, you don't want to be using the trail hand at all. Rest the hand on the club like you normally would. But, there shouldn't be any tension in one particular spot as to not use the hand, or impede letting it off the club through the release.
August 2, 2018
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Drew
Thanks Craig. One other thing: How much thought and subtle manipulation does this drill require when actually hitting a golf ball? More specifically, if my left wrist is not perfectly flat at the top of the backswing when I am doing the drill (slight cupping) should I be trying to make it flat? To do so requires a bit of thought and change from what feels natural (but after time I'm sure that feeling will go away). Or is it the type of thing where you just let the wrists relax and they will do the correct thing? BTW - this drill has been a game changer for me. Once I finally realized what the release is supposed to feel like it has totally transformed the way I think about (and do) my golf swing. The ball flight and impact is completely different and requires no effort at all to hit powerful shots!
August 2, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Drew. If you let the wrist relax and you are moving properly the wrist should be flat at the top. This means that you are manually changing it, or have trained a cupped position. In the initial, it may take some effort to get out of bad mechanics and allow the proper motion to come forth. Great to hear about learning the release being a game changer. Usually is.
August 2, 2018
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Paul
when I have been working on this with a 9 to 3 drill, I've noticed that my left wrist bows some when transition from the 9 o clock position to impact begins. I feel as I'm shifting weight to the left, the left arm falls and the club wants bow my left wrist ( I don't try to force my left wrist to bow). Is this the correct feeling to have? I know you want to have the left wrist flat or slightly bowed at impact but I'm not sure if you need to feel this immediately at the start of downswing
July 6, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Paul. Slightly bowing and starting to square up is okay.
July 6, 2018
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david
I am still very confused about the release. should I be intentionally rotating my left forearm or wrist in the downswing?
May 20, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. If you have trained yourself to hold the arm and steer the club face. In the initial phases of training you may need to manually teach/allow it to rotate. However, the club is rotating and releasing for you. Light grip pressure and allow for the rotation. You don't want to be timing/flipping the hand to force release.
May 21, 2018
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Ryan
This has been helpful! I am trying to change from a "smothering" draw to a baby draw. After doing these release drills I was having a hard time reigning in my draw. I used to be a push/slicer so I am happy with my progress but want to hit it straighter. I made one adjustment to my stance by moving my right foot back 2 -3 inches. This seem to correct it to a perfect baby draw by I am just guessing allowing me a better shoulder turn/ rotation? What should I work on to not have to make the 2-3 inch adjustment? Or is something that small allowed since it works perfectly. I am almost ready for a swing review.
January 20, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ryan. There shouldn't be a need to adjust the setup when trying to get the smother under control. It sounds like a last second flip, or manual speed up. My recommendation would be to practice some impact shots (Fix Your Release) and make sure the release is gradual (Flip vs. Release). For polishing off, working a little on the (9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking Section) to understand ultimate right and left ball control.
January 20, 2018
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Anthony
I have just started this drill. Quite tiring on the left hand. When I do this drill left handed with only the two fingers the grip seems to 'flop' around, there not being sufficient fingers to stop this. As this is to feel the release is this acceptable.
January 14, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Anthony. You should still feel pretty stable with the 2 fingers. But, you may experience a little movement since you only have 2 fingers on the handle.
January 14, 2018
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Dennis
When your doing this drill, it appears your wrist is cupping slightly after impact and your left elbow is bending like a slight chicken wing. This looks different than really releasing the club in left arm only drills. I've been working a bit with a swing gyde and noticed I have to cup my wrist a little after impact to let the device connect properly on my left forearm in the follow through. Is this proper?
November 18, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dennis. Chuck's wrist will start to re-hinge late in the follow through. But, through the release into his 3 O'Clock positioning the wrist shouldn't be cupping or having a chicken wing effect.
November 18, 2017
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William
This covers about 90% of my problems. Thanks!
November 17, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bill. Great. Thanks for the post!
November 17, 2017
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Diane
This looks good, although appreciate it will feel awkward at first.
November 16, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Diane. Thanks for the post. It will at first, but the awkwardness will subside.
November 16, 2017
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Pierre
One of my favorite drills. Because I don't have to think about the takeaway, the good back swing position and I just think about releasing the club. It pays back to the course a lot!
November 15, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Pierre. Thanks for the post and positive comments about the drill.
November 15, 2017
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Paul
Thank you.
November 15, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Paul. Glad you liked the video.
November 15, 2017
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Peter
You guys keep devising new ways to induce us to "let go, and let the club." This one is silky. Congratulations!...Ah'm workin' on it. And I'm staying on my feet thru the follow-thru! No big deal for those golfers who know where their feet ARE, but a big, BIG deal to me. Peter S K
October 26, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Peter. We have to get the release and "letting it go" to sink in as many ways as possible. Glad you like the drill.
October 27, 2017
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Kevin
I am probably over loading myself by trying to learn to post up and learning release at the same time. Can I learn to release without posting up and then work the post up part in later? I don't believe posting up is mentioned here or in the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release or in the Fix Your Release videos.
October 11, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. Of course. Take a look at the Perfecting Your Golf Impact Section. Start with video 1 of 4.
October 11, 2017
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Kevin
Craig, thanks for the reply as always. I'm beginning work on this series as of this week. Would it be acceptable for my lower body to just pull then, as in the Preventing Hip Pain feeling Chris describes, throughout the whole swing? I noticed in video this pulls my weight over and turns my hips as well as straightens my leg out around impact by just doing this feeling. And then manually learning the release motion with my arms.
October 12, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. The goal of the post up is to help clear the hips and start the deceleration chain of event to transfer speed. As long as you aren't continue to pull your hips through (spinning) and the lead leg is straightening to get enough posting for impact.
October 12, 2017
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Carver
If my ball goes left while keeping my back to the target I assume I probably not shifted left copletely?
October 6, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Carver. Lack of weight could definitely be a cause.
October 6, 2017

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