Mike Malaska on "Snapping" the Clubhead (Video)

This is proof that there's no one way to hit the ball. Mike Malaska, who is a very respected instructor -- and whose instruction has appeared in this blog before -- challenges the whole idea that your hands should be ahead of the ball at impact off a tee.



The reason this video fascinates me is because Malaska is the first instructor I've heard compare impact with a driver to snapping a towel and then actually translate the snapping motion accurately to a swing!

There are a number of instructors who have observed that some pros reverse their hip turn slightly at impact. Rory McIlroy is a player who does so; that's part of where his distance comes from. That hip move also creates the snapping effect that Malaska is talking about, but Malaska's technique is a bit easier for the average player to duplicate.

Malaska explains the technique simply enough in this video. What I want you to understand is that he isn't rewriting any swing mechanics. The instructors who teach "hands ahead at impact with a driver" are focusing on leg action to create more rotation and clubhead speed, while instructors like Malaska are focusing on arm and hand motion to create clubhead speed.

In reality, all players use both techniques to create a swing. It's just that some players use more leg action while others use more arm and hand motion. Either one will work, but one will probably fit your body type better than the other. There is no right or wrong answer here -- just an appropriate answer. It all depends on what comes naturally to you.