IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR GAME Three separations drive the downswing

By T.J. Tomasi

The quality of your release is related to three “separations” that occur as you start back to the ball:

1. Your hands must separate from your back shoulder and move directly down toward the ground. This movement contains an essential power lever, and it is not released until impact.

2. Your front shoulder must separate from your chin, a move that aids in dropping the arms and club into the slot.

3. Your front hip should shuttle forward then turn away from the target, creating a separation between your knees.

In the photos, PGA pro John Callahan is demonstrating all three of these separations, highlighted by the separation of the knees using a beach ball. Failure to make this separation usually leads to the club being pulled across the ball, resulting in a weak slice or a pull, depending on the clubface.

In the first photo, John is fully coiled with his shoulders turned against a braced right leg twice as much as his hips. Swinging in this manner, he can easily hold the beach ball between his knees.

The second photo allows us to check out his sit-down action; a club shaft placed across his thighs would point parallel to the target line left of the target, indicating that while there has been a weight shift to his front hip, the hips have only slightly rotated. Basically, at this point, most of the motion is a shuttle of the front knee toward the target. From here, John is ready to rotate through the hitting area and deliver a powerful blow from inside the target line.

To assess your three separations, use your phone to record a video on the course, then stop the action to check for the separations. If they’re in house, you’re good to go; if not, go see your swing coach.

Dr. T.J. Tomasi is a teaching professional in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Visit his website at tomasigolf.com.