Full followthrough, don't stop turning.

[Ernest Jones]

I have a bad habit of quitting on my followthrough. I don't know why and it doesn't always have a negative effect (generally get away with it on iron swings), but I certainly feel that I hit the ball much more powerfully when I keep turning all the way through and finish with my chest pointing well left of the target. I get more height, more distance, and a cleaner strike.

This is much more pronounced with the driver (my old nemesis). Earlier this week I was at the range hitting driver - weak pushes and push fades and weaker off centre pulls (I absolutely suck with the big stick). I started really focusing on really getting a full turn through the ball, chest pointing WAY left at the finish. Instantly my ballflight straightened out and started gaining distance. Trajectory still left a lot to be desired, gotta work on getting the belt buckle raised more, but it seemed to really make a significant difference in terms of keeping it in play.

Not sure how I want to direct this thread, just want to stimulate some conversation on body positions post impact and what the community's thoughts are on it. I think at least part of it is that by focusing on getting a full turn and followthrough your attention gets away from the ball and more towards the target, generating more speed because the ball/impact is just a point along the journey rather than a destination.

There are tons of threads about "making a full turn" on the backswing but I didn't see anything specific to "making a full turn" on the downswing. Feel free to merge if I missed it.

[iacas]

I have a bad habit of quitting on my followthrough. I don't know why and it doesn't always have a negative effect (generally get away with it on iron swings), but I certainly feel that I hit the ball much more powerfully when I keep turning all the way through and finish with my chest pointing well left of the target. I get more height, more distance, and a cleaner strike.

This is much more pronounced with the driver (my old nemesis). Earlier this week I was at the range hitting driver - weak pushes and push fades and weaker off centre pulls (I absolutely suck with the big stick). I started really focusing on really getting a full turn through the ball, chest pointing WAY left at the finish. Instantly my ballflight straightened out and started gaining distance. Trajectory still left a lot to be desired, gotta work on getting the belt buckle raised more, but it seemed to really make a significant difference in terms of keeping it in play.

I think a good portion of people (I won't say the majority, though it may be) do this because they have fear and are trying to steer the shot.

The driver, more than any other club, needs to be swung without fear. Without guiding.

[Ernest Jones]

That makes sense. I think the key to getting over that fear is to commit to making that full and free follow through with no regards to how the ball flies. Next time I'm practicing with my driver I'm going to try to only evaluate the quality of my strikes by the followthrough. Did I turn all the way and let the followthrough take me where it will? If the answer is yes, then it was a good swing regardless of what the ball does.

[boogielicious]

My follow through shortens as I stiffen up.  I have to consciously remember to finish the swing.