This power leak could cost you tons of meters off the bat

Almost every recreational golfer would benefit from more speed in their golf swing. If you can hit the ball farther, the game becomes a lot easier.

When chasing this distance, most golfers will think about what they want should do to generate more speed. But sometimes the secret to more distance is simply eliminating movements you do shouldn't This costs you meters.

In the following video from Titleist Performance Institute, you'll see a common mistake golfers make on the downswing that costs them swing speed.

Do not “increase” speed.

If you've tried to make your swing faster, you've probably heard that you need to use the ground. This is called “ground reaction force” and is a huge factor in swing speed.

However, when many recreational players attempt to push themselves into the ground on the downswing, they do so in a way that actually loses power.

The typical recreational player squats down on the downswing, but never pushes back up as the club approaches the ball. This is, as the coach says in the video above, the “No. 1 loss of power” in the golf swing.

If you want to squat, you need to extend your lead leg as the clubhead approaches impact. This ensures that you generate more speed and no energy is lost on the downswing.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Publisher

Zephyr Melton is an editorial assistant at GOLF.com, where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Before joining the GOLF team, he attended the University of Texas, followed by stints with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He helps with all teaching topics and covers amateur and women's golf. He can be reached at [email protected].