Mike Bender's Slap Shot Drill (Video)

Yeah, Bender says it's how you create maximum clubhead speed -- and it will -- but I suspect you'll understand it better if you use it as a drill.



I call it a "slap shot drill" because it feels like you're slapping the ball. Using your hands and arms this way allows you to create a lot of clubhead speed without a violent body turn that can throw you off balance or out of position -- both of which will affect how cleanly you make contact with the ball.

And poor contact means less clubhead speed.

This drill will work well with the ever-popular L-to-L drill, and this most recent post on how to use it to fight a chicken wing will help you get the concept even more quickly. The shorter swing -- and keeping that lead arm more connected to your chest during impact -- will make it easier to create that slap. As you get the hang of it, you can start lengthening your swing to get the full benefit of the technique.

Learning to use your hands and arms (rather than just your body) to create speed is becoming more common with players these days, but it's a traditional way of creating speed that is getting popular again because of the advances in equipment design.

As with most things these days, what's old is new again. You might as well take advantage of it!