POWER PLAYER #2 DUSTIN JOHNSON

Average drive 312.9 yards

CREATE SPEED VIA AGGRESSIVE THROUGHSWING ROTATION

When it comes to creating power in the golf swing, coaches generally talk of three sources: Vertical force (which we’ll come to later), lateral force (i.e. weight shift), and rotational force. DJ is a fantastic example of

this last one.

Opening up for speed

Looking at this classic image of DJ, it’s hard to believe those hips were actually square to his target line at address. By impact, his belt buckle is not far from facing straight down the target line, an incredible opening-up of the lower body from which we can take some careful learning. But before we do, let us address two caveats... 1. This is the position of a honed athlete and not one you or I can achieve. That said, it is almost a caricature of the ideal impact and offers many valuable learning points. 2. Because body rotation tends to calm clubface rotation, it works well for golfers like DJ who choose to play the game with a strong clubface that might otherwise cause hooks. Golfers who play with a weak face need to feel release less in the body and more in the club.

Rotation A fast, aggressive rotation is one of several ways to generate power in the golf swing. But to be effective, it must be led by the large, lower-body muscles in the hips, glutes and thighs. This is the first link in the sequential power chain of hips, torso, arms then club.

Footwork As with Bryson, DJ’S rotation starts at ground level. His lead foot is banked along the outside, and his knee is facing far more down the target line than across at the ball. The trail foot is up on the toe as the trail knee drives down the target line, NOT out towards the ball. Only through this footwork can DJ open up so dramatically through his midsection. In many ways, this is a mirror image of the Bryson picture.

Freedom Do you think there is any desire to guide or control the ball here from DJ?! When amateurs lose confidence, their first instinct is to lock everything down and find some control. It’s about the worst thing you can do. Keeping it free and loose is the only way to find the rotation and sequencing you need for an effective golf shot.