How to effectively use the ground to create power in your swing

Pushing off the ground with your feet is one of the best ways to create power in your swing. Watch any high-level player and you’ll likely notice them using their legs (sometimes they even jump) during the downswing. These are ground reaction forces at work.

If you want to get the most out of your swing, learning to use the ground properly is a must. Just jumping during the downswing won’t be enough to access that extra power. You’ve got to do so with the correct technique if you want to really generate some swing speed.

The video below from the Titleist Performance Institute shows a great example of how to (and not to) push with your feet off the ground. Check it out and implement it in your own swing and you’re sure to get some extra power off the tee.

When you swing you’ll naturally push up off the ground at a certain point during your downswing. The key for actually utilizing it is learning where to push from and how to marry it with your sequencing.

To get a feel for where you want to push from, TPI coaches have a great drill involving a rolling chair. All the student needs to do is sit in the chair and then push off the ground with their trail foot. The goal is to roll as far as you can from that single push.

When the student tries the drill initially, he’s pushing from his toes and does not roll very far in the chair. However, once the coach instructs him to push off using his heel, he rolls the chair much farther.

The same technique applies to the golf swing. When pushing off the ground, it’s much more effective to push off from the inside of your foot on the heel than it is to use your toes.

If you’ve got a rolling chair sitting around, go try this drill. Once you learn how to push yourself the farthest, go grab your driver and try to replicate that feel. You’ll be amazed at how much more power you generate.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.