If you’ve recently hit the course and realized “my golf swing has no power”, don’t panic. This is actually a common problem many golfers run into and fortunately, it’s a relatively easy fix. Most golfers want to hit the ball farther in order to make their game easier, so when you lose that type of power, it can be devastating to your game.
If you’ve found that your swing has lost the power it once had, issues with shoulder and hip rotation are often to blame. However, the key to gaining more yards to your swing isn’t just about better shoulder rotation, more follow through, or a better release. It often involves having a better understanding of your own swing in order to determine what you’re doing right and what you need to work on. Every golfer will have their own strengths and weaknesses with their personal swing. Typically, when a golfer attempts to add more power to their swing, they end up trying for more rotation, but this type of extra effort can be overkill and can make your swings less efficient.
My golf swing has no power, how can I get it back? Practice drills that focus on improving rotation, sequencing, and timing. You don’t have to be physically strong to generate more power in your swing. However, it’s also important to note that what works for one golfer may not work for the next, when it comes to rotation and generating more power. Often, using the proper body mechanics and improving your timing and rotation can be enough to see a major improvement in the type of power you generate.
Generating more power in your swing isn’t about bulging muscles or even hitting the ball harder, it’s about going back to the basics, and identifying what you’re doing wrong, or differently, in order to get to the underlying reason as to why you’re not hitting with the type of power you once did.
If you want to add more power to your swing, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over the common signs that indicate your swing is lacking power and what you can do to immediately address this issue.
Our guide will also discuss the top reasons why golfers tend to lose power, the common signs to look for, and the type of drills that can get you back on the right path to hitting with serious power for better distance and a more enjoyable game.
Going the Distance
If you’re trying desperately to add some distance to your swing, you should pay attention to what the weaknesses in your swing are. From that point, you can begin working on your weaknesses in order to determine how to generate more power efficiently, for your swing style.
Even if you sense that most of your power is coming from your shoulder rotation, this doesn’t mean you should work on adding more rotation to your upper body in order to generate more power. Instead, you may need to look at other areas of your swing to determine exactly what mechanics are really holding you back and preventing you from generating the type of power you’re used to.
When it comes to generating more power in your swing, there is no one technique that fits all.
Now, let’s look at the common signs that can indicate that you’re lacking power in your swing.
- Does your lower body move before your upper body?
- Do you constantly release early?
- Do you have trouble with gripping the club using the proper mechanics?
You’ll never generate the type of power you need if you’re not gripping the club correctly. So, before you start worrying about upper and lower body rotation, pay attention to how you’re holding the club. The right grip involves the trigger finger resting on the grip where the first fold between the palm and the finger is. The butt end should be across the palm with the pad at the base of the thumb resting on the top of the grip.
If you use a stronger grip it can help to generate more power with your swing. The lower hand should rest on the grip as the palm faces the target, with three knuckles visible on the upper hand. If using a stronger grip doesn’t help, try keeping the wrists relaxed and soft. This can potentially create more zip through impact.
Upper Body Swing Mechanics
Typically, the loss of power in a swing is usually the result of poor upper body rotation on the backswing. When you’re taking a swing, your chest should turn away from the target. The left shoulder must tilt downward. During this rotation, you should feel your wrists hinge and your weight moving to your right heel (for a right handed golfer). Poor rotation and backswing can easily impact your distance and power.
On the Downswing
Another major power leak involves the downswing. Even if you have a perfect wind up when you’re going back, many players attempt to hit the ball from the top of the backswing with their arms and hands. Resist doing so at all costs and instead start the downswing with your lower body.
A Different Approach to Achieving a More Powerful Swing
Most golfers recommend shifting all of the weight away from the target when a player takes the driver back, then shifting back to the front side on the way through. While this technique can work for some golfers, it won’t do much for the golfer who doesn’t have a lot of lateral movement and focuses more on rotation.
If you focus on rotation, you’ll find that it’s easier to create effortless power and find the sweet spot on the club face. If you often swing too hard in an attempt to generate more power, then you will have to rely on perfect timing in order to consistently generate that power with every swing. If you often struggle to hit your driver far and solid, then it’s time to change up your technique in order to get the power back in your swing and gain some serious distance.
At address, try supporting your weight equally with both feet. However, be more mindful of the weight that’s placed on the inside of your right foot. With more focus on the right, you can swing back and create more leverage for your swing. Basically, you’re loading your weight before you swing. As you take your club back, your body shouldn’t drift off the ball the way it does with a lot of players. Instead, your weight should stay centered. Instead of moving laterally, you’re rotating instead. It should feel like your lower body is bracing against the swing with your upper body moving away from the target. If you try this technique you should also feel some serious torque building up in your core. When you swing down, you can release this tension in order to create the type of power that’s needed to hit the ball farther.
Building Speed
A common mistake most beginners make is attempting to generate speed with their hands. If you tend to hit the worst when you’re swinging harder, then this is why. In order to achieve a more powerful swing, you need to allow the speed to gather, causing the club head to move faster upon impact. You’ll be surprised by how much power you’re able to generate without even having to swing your hardest or sway off the ball.
The Right Drills for a More Powerful Swing
You don’t need a lot of muscle to achieve a more powerful swing, just a better technique. The drills we have included here will focus on sequencing and timing in order to help you gain speed at the right time, for more power and better distance.
How Setup Influences Speed
How you set up can have a major impact on how your energy is transferred to the ball. With the right address, you can create dynamic loft and the perfect attack angle, which is essential for a more powerful swing.
As your spine starts to lean away from your target, slightly put your hips forward. This will create the time and space that’s needed to build up speed upon impact.
The angle in which your spine is tilted will encourage a more fluid upward swing through the ball, which is very important when it comes to transferring energy more efficiently.
If you use a sharper angle in your trail leg, you can essentially improve the support in your backswing. This allows you to deliver a more powerful rotation with plenty of torque and without the risk of swaying.
Next, place your hips slightly forward toward your target in order to optimize efficiency upon impact. However, you’ll want to avoid moving your head with your hips.
You will also need to focus on your upper body tilt and make sure your spine remains extended as you bend from the hips. Try to maintain this position when holding the club at address.
Timing is Everything
It’s crucial that your movements are coordinated and smooth. To do this drill, you’ll need to use a towel with one end knotted for added weight. Now, hold the towel like you would a club at address. Allow the knotted end of the towel to hang freely. As you swing back wait for the knot in the towel to hit your trail shoulder. The knot in the towel is meant to help you get a better feel for lag when you’re approaching impact. Timing can have a major impact both on power and distance. If you’ve recently noticed a loss of power in your swing, timing can often be the culprit. Focusing on improving your timing can have a huge impact on the type of power you generate.
Related Questions
How Can I Practice My Swing in the Offseason?
Most golfers tend to attribute their new lack of power due to the fact that they don’t play golf in the offseason. But if you want your game to stay sharp and your swing to remain powerful, then systems such as the TruGolf GS10 Studio Golf Simulator can help you stay on top of your golf game, year round. These systems can be a bit pricey, but they can also provide you with a realistic golfing experience and can allow you to practice daily, choosing from hundreds of different golf courses that are each designed to challenge you, while also helping you to identify both your strengths and weaknesses.
To learn more, read our buyer’s guide with our recommendations for the best golf simulators.
My Golf Swing has Fallen Apart
If you’ve recently noticed that each and every swing you’re taking isn’t generating the type of distance you once did, and if your scores are getting progressively worse, there are many ways you can fix this if you’re serious about improving. Over time, most of us slack off when it comes to proper body mechanics, or practicing on our off time to improve our timing and rotation. If you’re struggling with your golf game, we recommend reading our article about what to do when your swing is falling apart. This article will have many of the answers you’ve been searching for and can provide solutions to common problems most golfers experience at one time or another.
What Causes Casting in Golf Swing ?
Casting involves the early release of the club during the downswing and it’s one of the most common culprits for golfers struggling with a loss of power in their swing. With a focus on perfecting your timing on the downswing, you’ll be able to both avoid casting and too much spin.
Final Thoughts
If your main complaint is “my golf swing has no power”, then by changing up your body mechanics and practicing the drills we have included to perfect your form, rotation, and timing, you should enjoy a more powerful swing in just a matter of a few weeks, as long as you put in the work. A change in hitting power is a common problem among most golfers, and fortunately, it’s a very easy fix.
