A Simple Lag Drill

Sat, 10/29/2016 - 12:15 -- Don Trahan

Introducing a new drill that was developed during one of my recent lessons with a regular student. In conjunction with the bump, bringing down the club from the top of the backswing this is a lag drill to keep control of the club at the start of the swing.

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bobh@newsbroadcastnetwork.com's picture

Submitted by bobh@newsbroadc... on

Hi, Don,
I've watched this video three times and perhaps I'm a little slow, but I can't figure out what the drill is. You explain that the right hand is vital in the swing but you didn't tell me what to do to keep it moving correctly from the top of the tree to through the ball. I think of a drill as being a repetitive action that helps train my body how to move in a way that will be beneficial to my golf swing. I remember one drill from 40 years ago that said to start the downswing by dropping your hands straight down like you were pulling a window shade down. So how do I do the simple lag drill.
You've knocked 10 strokes off my handicap so I really trust your advice.
Thanks
Bob Hill

reedclfd's picture

Submitted by reedclfd on

Bob: Take another look at the video, specifically starting at the 5:20 mark. Don explains the fundamentals of the lag drill, which basically is learning how to properly use the bottom hand (right hand for righties, left hand for lefties) to maintain proper club position as we start the downswing. We need to control the club by "pulling down on it" and not "throwing it out and away from us". The lag is created by maintaining the upright club position until it is nearly parallel to the ground. He sums up the drill at the 7:12 mark. The drill or repetitive part is maintaining the club at the near-vertical position until our arms and hands naturally release and follow thru to the T-finish. Take care and hit 'em straight! r2

scajjr2's picture

Submitted by scajjr2 on

As Bob says what exactly is the drill?
One thing I've been doing is importing a tiny bit of Leadbetter's A swing into the takeaway where the club is a tiny bit closed at the catcher's mitt position then go up the tree. I find it helps a bit to stop laying the club off more at the top as I stay more vertical with the shaft (or as Don says it FEELS that way even though it's probably layed off a bit).

Sam

joldwynds's picture

Submitted by joldwynds on

Surge, I tried to send a comment on your Physical Limitations video blog the other day but, thanks to my ineptitude, it got 'lost in transmit'.
However, my comments might be pertinent to todays blog too, so I'll try again.
Three weeks ago I had much-needed surgery on my left shoulder. This means I am not allowed to play golf for possibly up to three months but that doesn't stop me walking the course with my partners - and having a putt or two on the greens.
Of course, within a few days this wasn't very satisfactory so I decided to take a 9-iron along too, and hit a few balls off the fairway using just my right hand.
I was quite pleased as to how well that worked so last time out I actually played a full round from the forward tees, and was able to be much more a part of the game.
We were all amazed at how straight every shot was - with hardly any difference in the distance I normally hit that iron. The only one bad shot I hit was when I decided to 'give it some welly' - and I was reminded of another lesson of yours!!
We had a discussion after the game and we are all convinced that it is the simplicity of the PPGS system, especially the 'let gravity be your friend maxim', that enabled me to perform so well.
Your description of the lag was exactly how I was feeling as I made the shots. I gripped the club in the same point as normal on the shaft and, because I wasn't over-swinging, the club never felt heavy.
I have to mention here that I use clubs that Doc Griffin made for me following one of his visits to the UK, and they feel so right for me.
So, it's thanks to the both of you that the next three months will not be so onerous.
DTM.
Brian Ford

twounder's picture

Submitted by twounder on

When I get to the top I lay my right shoulder back like I am making side arm throw. Causes me to numb automatic and wrist recoil coming down. FYI THANKS LOVE YR SWING.

bazshort1@bigpond.com's picture

Submitted by bazshort1@bigpo... on

Hi Don, I am Barry Short from Brisbane Australia. I met you on your visit to Brisbane some time ago. You may remember me, you commented positively about my inverted V position at the top of the backswing and at the finish. I am 83 years old and usually playing three days a week at the Nudgee Club.

About your lag drill, recently I discovered something very similar. My method is to drop the right shoulder at the start of the downswing, which makes the left hip move to the left. I concentrate on making certain I maintain the angle of the shaft of club to forearm as you describe, releasing just below when the club is horizontal. In effect, the wrist makes no individual movement, until that position. The movement down from the top of the swing to the release position is entirely created by dropping the shoulder. I try to make certain my follow through travels along the line of vertical wheel. My distance improved some 20 metres as result of this method. Thanks for all you videos Don. Best regards.

LongJohnSilver's picture

Submitted by LongJohnSilver on

Hi Don Greetings from South Africa I am a HUGE fan - the PPGS literally changed my life (but that is a story for another day) Anyway I am 6"3 athletic built 110kg amateur and for years couldn't retain spine angle consistently in the rotational swing - I analysed my own and other professionals swings frame by frame for hundreds of hours and then discovered PPGS... One technique I translated over from my prior "self-training" was my own (unscientific?) theory that if you can get the right "place" at the top, in balance and aligned... You should be able to stop completely - I mean hold it there indefinitely - and then release into an effective downswing at anytime ... That coupled to the PPGS MSP firm grip etc... Well ... I have had to put up with abuse, jokes, strangers coming up to "coach" me at the range and so on... Another theory of mine (seen firsthand from my marshaling at the Nedbank Golf Challenge tournament at Sun City) is most amateurs never I mean NEVER hit the ball cleanly ... The outcome may be ok but they are either too fat or too thin... Anyway on top of the rest I have bought and play MP4 pure blades - you can imagine the negative comments I received... Anyway my swing is now 100% a PPGS swing except I make a slow (almost mechanical 2stage) turn to toeline then lift up and then ...stop fully at the top ... All I need do then is focus on not overdoing the bump and WHAM... Everything happens naturally and The ball is climbing so rapidly straight and far!! In 3 months I've dropped from around a 20 to 15,5 but the most exciting thing is the amount of time I'm hitting the greens in reg -I am sure I am going to go way lower soon as my 15 index is from rounds like 41/46... the PPGS has now given me the repeatable swing and confidence to spend more time on chipping and putting (before I knew these are most important but who wants to do that when you don't feel good about your ability to even get to the green neatly!!?) Anyway after your recent daily I tried choking down on my standard G5 45,75" driver and WOW - I have now decided to cut it down to as low as 44" - Yet another example of how the PPGS is 100% the best swing imaginable - it is predictable, applicable at any level and so repeatable and stable - One can stop at the top, look at the shaft angle even adjust it a bit and just a bump and WHAM... Sorry for rambling Don but I am so very grateful for your swing and the related advice - imagine I got this much help just from the dailies and haven't even bought your materials yet !!( BUT I will be doing so shortly!!) I just wanted to share my experience and endorse how great the PPGS is ! PS One of my goals on my next trip to visit my brothers in the US is to attend one of your PPGS training schools PPS - I don't get many comments re the MP4 blades anymore but if anyone asks I tell them "I don't blame my clubs... I work on my swing!!) God bless and fond regards from SA Matt Bishop

joechristie's picture

Submitted by joechristie on

I am a 7.7 index started using your system PPGS last spring. I have had three back operations. Shot my age twice in 2016. Last time was in August just before shoulder surgery. Shot a 68 at age 70. I try to get to the top with no wrist break then react to the ball with no thought of lag, shots fly true straight. I pay attention to the big A everytime I practice. My problem is the through swing, I keep moving the club left over my left shoulder. I think my problem is keeping my head behind the ball, and letting my arms swing to straight. I felt like you were reading my mail with your comments about Westwood's bent let arm! On the downswing, my head moves left even with or slightly ahead of the ball. Yes I tried stack and tilt hit it good, but bad for my back. I think that if i can get the bump and lag correct then that may slove my problem. Thanks for your videos, keep them coming your manual is great but I learn best with visuals. I read and I forget, I see and i remember, I do and I understand...