What does Club Head Lag really mean to you?

[PerfectStriking]

Today I went out and for the first time I think I really found out how to lag the club head effectively but, maybe this is just what I think lagging is maybe it isn't and this is a whole new thing I just think I'm doing right, boy that wouldn't be the first time right?

So what happened, I basically got 20 yards longer on my driver, and got more relaxed and a more consistent drive and irons, first I just slowed down altogether and went pretty limp through the whole swing as I was having a shocker day on the first nine and wanted to slow down and straighten up. So I completely relaxed my swing and put less power on all the way through, this got a good result instantly in the fairway but, about 20 yards short of my better normal distances on drives and about 10 yards shorter on irons. Then a hole later on a short iron for some reason I decided to try the same relaxed swing until the club head got close to striking the ball and then pull through late and hard, and wow. Then I tried this on a drive and wow, 20 yards better than my normal better distance, far better relaxed swing feel and in the middle of the fairway, on irons I got similar results and about 10 yards above my normal better distance, well from then on for the second nine it was a golden golf day.

So what did I discover, unless you really lag the club head, if you pull hard or even pull moderately on the way down anytime before you are just about to make contact you will just grab it and hit it short and wayward, at least that's today's epiphany.

Is this lag in the technical definition that everyone talks about, do others do this, what do you all do on this / differences?

I'm polling this as a question on lag.

Edited April 29, 2019 by PerfectStriking

[DaveP043]

2 hours ago, PerfectStriking said:

So what did I discover, unless you really lag the club head, if you pull hard or even pull moderately on the way down anytime before you are just about to make contact you will just grab it and hit it short and wayward, at least that's today's epiphany.

Is this lag in the technical definition that everyone talks about, do others do this, what do you all do on this / differences?

I'm polling this as a question on lag.

I never think about "lag" as a specific thing in my golf swing.  In my opinion, lag is a byproduct of doing other things well, of proper motions and sequencing,   What you were doing, we don't really know, and neither do you.  All you can do is describe what you were feeling, and feels generally do not coincide with reality.  

I do agree with the bold part above.  The feel of pulling hard is very seldom a positive thing

[Groucho Valentine]

I voted i dont do lag. Its not something ive ever consciously tried to do. Ive noticed higher caps that do try to consciously lag the head on the range or the course usually hit some kind of godawful push slice 75 yards off line. 

[iacas]

I have no idea what you mean so I almost didn't vote, but I voted for "I don't do lag" because, as I've said, "lag happens." It's not something you "do" specifically for a normal shot.

[saevel25]

I voted I don't do lag. I don't ever think about maintaining the angle in the wrist.

[bones75]

Although everything's not the same, I feel I've gone through very similar experiences. When I can relax my upper body completely, and it "feels" like I'm slowing down things, i also "feel" like there's a ton more lag in my swing. I've stated this several times on this forum: my longest driving days have always been the days I'm swinging the "easiest".

All just feelings, I don't know if i was actually swinging easier, or didn't "pull hard", or w/e, but the whip sound of my club is shortest (in time period) and loudest when I do. Those are the days my impact sound also resembles what I see on TV the most too.

I only wanted to say i definitely get what your feeling. No idea what it really means tho!

[nevets88]

From lots of experience, and I know how tempting it is, don't try and mimic Sergio Garcia's or Brook Henderson's swing. Just trust me on this. Maybe for the 1 in 1000 it works, but for most, it's the wrong fork chosen.

[DrvFrShow]

Not with my internet connection.

[Vinsk]

10 hours ago, PerfectStriking said:

Today I went out and for the first time I think I really found out how to lag the club head effectively but, maybe this is just what I think lagging is maybe it isn't and this is a whole new thing I just think I'm doing right, boy that wouldn't be the first time right?

So what happened, I basically got 20 yards longer on my driver, and got more relaxed and a more consistent drive and irons, first I just slowed down altogether and went pretty limp through the whole swing as I was having a shocker day on the first nine and wanted to slow down and straighten up. So I completely relaxed my swing and put less power on all the way through, this got a good result instantly in the fairway but, about 20 yards short of my better normal distances on drives and about 10 yards shorter on irons. Then a hole later on a short iron for some reason I decided to try the same relaxed swing until the club head got close to striking the ball and then pull through late and hard, and wow. Then I tried this on a drive and wow, 20 yards better than my normal better distance, far better relaxed swing feel and in the middle of the fairway, on irons I got similar results and about 10 yards above my normal better distance, well from then on for the second nine it was a golden golf day.

So what did I discover, unless you really lag the club head, if you pull hard or even pull moderately on the way down anytime before you are just about to make contact you will just grab it and hit it short and wayward, at least that's today's epiphany.

Is this lag in the technical definition that everyone talks about, do others do this, what do you all do on this / differences?

I'm polling this as a question on lag.

I get what you’re asking. But not to be a Debbie Downer but I’d bet most likely if we had a video of your swings while you were ‘feeling’ these differences .....they would look completely the same and there would be no difference or minimal difference in the lag. Sorry. 

[Patch]

I do lag, but it's not something I really pay any attention to.  I just figure it's there in my swing, which helps with my timing, by helping me to not hit too early in my swing. 

Edited April 30, 2019 by Patch

[PerfectStriking]

From this I think I can sum up lag like this 

 

 

[dennyjones]

I never think of lag.   If I can get my weight forward, lag will take care of itself.  

[Vinsk]

33 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

I never think of lag.   If I can get my weight forward, lag will take care of itself.  

You’re lucky. Certainly isn’t the case for many others. My weight is more forward than Austin Powers at a shag festival and I generate zero lag.

[arturo28mx]

If I swing relaxed, and rotate my shoulders properly in the downswing, keeping my chest and arms connected, the shaft of the club and my left arm will maintain a 90 degree angle until just before impact. I understand this is called lag.

If I rush my swing, I will lose the 90 degree angle halfway down (thus losing power). I understand they call this early release.

[PerfectStriking]

18 hours ago, dennyjones said:

I never think of lag.   If I can get my weight forward, lag will take care of itself.  

One thing I have found is that getting weight forward and pulling on a drive is impossible whereas getting it forward and pulling on short irons is easy and hits it solid and other ground shots is ok

Edited May 1, 2019 by PerfectStriking

[PerfectStriking]

12 minutes ago, PerfectStriking said:

One thing I have found is that getting weight forward and pulling on a drive is impossible whereas getting it forward and pulling on short irons is easy and hits it solid and other ground shots is ok

Actually, I have found that the longer the club the less appropriate it might be to get the weight forward, I suppose for the driver as it is teed up and at the front of the stance it makes sense it is almost impossible to make getting weight forward in front of the ball work?

[iacas]

4 hours ago, PerfectStriking said:

Actually, I have found that the longer the club the less appropriate it might be to get the weight forward, I suppose for the driver as it is teed up and at the front of the stance it makes sense it is almost impossible to make getting weight forward in front of the ball work?

You're misunderstanding "weight forward." It's not "in front of the ball." It's simply relative to the two feet, or the center of your stance.

[djfajt71]

8 hours ago, arturo28mx said:

If I swing relaxed, and rotate my shoulders properly in the downswing, keeping my chest and arms connected, the shaft of the club and my left arm will maintain a 90 degree angle until just before impact. I understand this is called lag.

If I rush my swing, I will lose the 90 degree angle halfway down (thus losing power). I understand they call this early release.

They make pills for that...