How to create lag
By Top 25 Coach Andrew Jones
1
Golfers who create a lot of lag maintain good width in the backswing (inset). At the top, the arms slow down and the body changes direction before the club has finished moving back. The weight of the club falls behind the movement of the body, creating the shaft-bowing effect that people associate with lag (main photo). Coming down, you’re then in position for that natural whipping effect to kick in.
2
If you were trying to throw a basketball, you’d transfer your weight into your trail leg on the way back, but the first transitional move wouldn’t be your arms or shoulders – it’d be a weight shift back across to put pressure into your lead foot. With a golf club, it’s about allowing physics to occur naturally via a well-sequenced chain of events. Don’t think about pulling down or holding angles (bottom photo) – let it happen naturally.
3
A good drill to develop the feeling of lag is a very simple one that’s been around for a long time, but it’s the one that I find most effective. It’s called the step drill. As you swing the club back to the top, take a little kick across to your trail leg with your left heel. Then step back across, planting your lead leg firmly down before delivering the club through impact. This a great drill to demonstrate the feeling of lag.