Putting “P.O.W” in your swing

Putting “P.O.W.” (Point Of Weightlessness) in Your Swing – Like Justin Thomas

At a mere 145 pounds (including golf shoes!), Justin Thomas admits “I need an extra power boost from somewhere.” As we all know, he’s found it, and then some, as he averages of 310 yards off the tee. Just where does that extra power thrust come from?

“All anyone ever asks me about is why my feet are off the ground when I hit the ball” says Justin. “That’s a big part of how I generate speed.” Actually, it’s a result of his complete and total transfer of potential energy to kinetic energy.

You see, in the backswing, you’re storing up potential energy. Much like a roller coaster does as it ascending the first hill. Or an archer, who starts pulling back the arrow. Justin, like all good golfers, gathers the maximum amount of potential energy. In other words, he has no power leaks in his back swing.

But what Justin does next, during his downswing, is what sets him apart. He literally achieves a “point of weightlessness” (P.O.W.) at impact. “At impact,” he says, “I’m practically off the ground. I reverse all of that downward pressure up through my legs, as if I were jumping.” This “weightlessness” is proof that 100% of the pent up potential energy has transformed itself into explosive, usable, kinetic energy. Energy that has gone from the ground (see: How to use Ground Force Reaction here), through the body’s kinetic chain, into the club and, finally, applied to the ball. Pow, 310 yards!

You can see the same move by some of the really big hitter on the LPGA, like Lexi Thompson. World’s longest driver, Ryan Winther, uses the same idea of “weightless at impact.” And there’s another benefit of this “push to weightlessness.” It encourages an upward swing path. “Getting up on my toes helps create speed and a better position,” Justin says, “to swing up on the ball, which you should do with the driver to maximize carry. This “push off” might look radical—you don’t have to copy it to hit up on the ball—but use this visual as a reminder to accelerate the club into impact.”

Synopsis

Brace against your right foot going back – do not sway or you’ll lose power build-up. Then start down by pushing into the ground and turning your hips open – look to achieve that “air born weightlessness” even if your feet do not leave the ground. Remember, the idea here is to use maximum ground force and transfer it completely to the ball. Finally, straighten your legs, particularly your left, into impact. You may have to up your training for balance and stability. But when you do, you too can hit it like Justin!