Uncovering the secret of clubhead lag

By Chuck Evans,
Special Contributor

Yes, there truly is a "secret" of golf. Good players know it, and use it almost subconsciously. The Golfing Machine, by Homer Kelley, describes this "secret" as "clubhead lag" and cites that "It is simple, elusive, indispensable, without substitute or compensation, and always present."

What is lag? We've all heard this term, but few know what it means. Lag can be defined as "trailing" or "following" - this means that the clubhead behind the hands coming into Impact.

In this article we will focus on "clubhead lag" and its importance to the golf swing. Clubhead lag is simple because every club is designed to lean forward, the grip end ahead of the clubhead. When an iron is soled correctly, with both the leading and trailing edges on the ground, you will see that the shaft leans forward. If soled incorrectly, the shaft will lean either backward or too far forward. When a club shaft leans too far forward, the clubface loses its correct loft but better to err on the side of too much forward lean.

Clubhead lag is also elusive as it is not only the hands leading the club head, it's also the bending of the club shaft during start down. The initial force of the hands moving toward the ground bends the club shaft.

According to Kelley, "clubhead lag promotes even and steady acceleration, assuring dependable control of distance - any amount of deceleration during the down stoke dissipates clubhead lag."

Therefore, constant acceleration is needed to ensure a lagging clubhead through impact. So the old "low and slow" is a horrible mistake if you want acceleration in your game.

A prime example of a correctly lagging clubhead would occur when a tour player hits a shot. As the player starts their pre-shot the announcer tells us that the player has 193 yards to the flag and that they are going to hit a 6-iron. A 6-iron! A lot of players would love to hit their driver that far!

In every good swing at the moment of Impact the club shaft is leaning forward (toward the target). The hands are in front of the ball and clubface, effectively turning the 6-iron into a 5- or 4-iron.

When the club shaft is stressed and constant acceleration is used, the player gains control of the height and distance of all their clubs. Once this technique is properly applied, it becomes indispensable. The player can then rely on his ability to use the proper amount of lag pressure at any time.

The average player arrives at impact with the hands behind the ball and the club shaft leaning backward. This effectively adds loft and turns that 6-iron into a 7- or 8-iron.

If you play golf with someone that is always complaining that their irons all go the same distance, that player has a backward leaning club shaft. Do what I do, if they tell you their irons are all going the same distance, tell them to just carry one club then!

Clubhead lag is always present once the down stroke has begun. Good players use steady acceleration. Poor players over-accelerate, the hands reaching maximum speed before impact, thus losing the "lag". According to Kelley, "any over-acceleration or pushing away of the club will eliminate the lag, never to be re-attained for that shot."

Therefore, resist any attempt at throwing the hands at the ball or "flicking" the wrists near impact. Remember - the hands lead and the clubhead trails.

Here are some drills to feel, establish, and maintain clubhead lag.

What does "lag" feel like? It feels exactly like dragging a wet heavy string mop through impact.

In this drill (figures 4 and 5), I used a towel. Wrap the towel around the hosel of your club and place the clubhead on the ground, just outside of your trailing foot. Now try to use just your wrists to take the clubface to the ball.

This move is difficult at best and the shaft will be leaning backward. Now replace the club, but this time rotate your hips, sternum and the trailing shoulder toward right field. You will notice a distinct sensation of dragging and a heavy pressure through the ball.

For the next drill (figures 6 and 7), you can simply take a piece of rope and hold it like a club. Go the top of the swing and allow the rope to rest on the top of your right shoulder. As you start down, you will "feel" like the rope stays on the shoulder as you take your hands directly downward to the ball, or at the "aiming point."

This is called, "rope handle technique" in The Golfing Machine. As you can see here, the "end" of the rope is "lagging" my hands.

A properly lagging clubhead produces a strong downward thrust, which adds distance, trajectory, and consistency.

The majority of golfers do just the opposite. They try moving the clubhead with the wrists. This produces a "quitting" motion and the club moves upward toward Impact instead of downward.

For a great drill use a duffel bag, pillow or impact bag like the one shown in figures 10 and 11. Take the club back to waist height with the club shaft parallel to the target line and horizontal to the ground. Now simply rotate the hips, sternum, and right shoulder. This will bring the hands and body to impact position and the club will be lagging!

Chuck Evans, G.S.E.D., a Golf Magazine Top 100 Teacher, is one of only 31 golf instructors worldwide designated to hold a doctorate in golf stroke engineering. He is executive director of instruction for the Medicus Golf Institute and has served as director of schools for the PGA Tour Golf Academy, and as director of instruction for the United States Golf Institute. He is also the author of "How To Build Your Golf Swing."