The CSGA Links Volume 5 Issue 1 April 2017 | Page 14

CHAMPIONSHIPS
INSTRUCTION
CHAMPIONSHIPS
More Distance? It’s a Stretch
Links Lessons
By George Connor, PGA
M
ake a big turn in the back swing to hit it far.
You hear that all the time. As we get going
into another season let’s change the goal of
the back swing. Rather than trying to make the biggest
turn possible, make the goal to gather and store as
much potential power as possible. There is a significant
difference.
A muscle can do one of three things. It can relax, it can
stretch or it can contract. The more a muscle is stretched, the faster it can contract. In simple terms,
think of muscles contracting to deliver a lot of club head speed just like an elastic band. The more
you stretch it the faster it will shorten (contract). With this in mind; turning everything, head, chest,
hips and knees way into the backswing will yes provide a lot of turn but will not store any energy as
nothing is being stretched. In addition to no stored energy, I see golfers in this mindset getting so far
out of position that solid contact becomes nearly impossible. Let’s make your back swing as efficient as
possible, rather than as complicated as possible.
14 | CSGA Links // April, 2017
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