How feeling ‘light’ during the backswing can create a powerful strike

You’ve heard the term “load up on your backswing.” Good advice, but often misunderstood by a majority of players.

In my research using Swing Catalyst and various force plates, I’ve found that the “load” part of your backswing (getting your weight to your trail side so you can shift it forward on the downswing to create force and speed) happens earlier than you think. Max load occurs as soon as you start the club back — that’s the big shift. But as you reach the top, or specifically when the clubhead gets above your hands, the trick is to feel lighter and not buried so much into your trail side. 

It’s this feeling of lightness that better allows you to transition from backswing to downswing and prep your body to get your weight to your front side for a powerful strike. Think of it like this:

1. Set up in your regular address position. 

2. As you swing back, load into your trail leg. The earlier the better. 

3. As you reach the top with the club high above your hands, feel that load disappear a little. It’s this feeling of lightness that’ll help you create a smoother transition from backswing to downswing. 

4. When you’re light at the top you can more easily get your weight to your front side and launch upward for a powerful strike. Load is important, but better to do it earlier than later. 

Joe Plecker is a GOLF Top 100 Teacher and is the director of instruction at The Landings Club in Savannah, Ga.