Lightning Hands Golf Drill: 3 Steps to Add Speed and Distance

Speed and release timing

By George Watts · Indoor Golf Drills · Long Game Drills

A shorter swing helps you feel how the club releases through the ball. By rehearsing the movement between your thighs, you can focus on the hands and club without the distractions of a full backswing. That gives you a clearer way to practise a flowing release and check whether added speed still produces a controlled strike.

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You need: Club + ballsPractice: 15 minutes

Step 1. Watch the movement

Step 2. Feel the thigh-to-thigh release

Two blue and yellow illustrated swing positions: hands beside the trail thigh, then the club released past the lead thigh — Left: Start near the trail thigh. Right: Let the club continue past the lead thigh.

Make a half swing. As your hands approach your trail thigh on the way down, let the club release through the ball and continue towards your lead thigh. The two illustrations show the start and finish of the movement.

Give it a go

Begin without a ball, then hit a few at an easy pace. Notice the strike and start line. If the clubface is turning too quickly for you to control, slow down and find a comfortable rhythm before adding speed.

Your focus: Speed and release timing

Step 3. Complete your round

Branded stick figure in a blue polo and golf shoes beside eighteen ticked practice boxes. One shot. One tick.

What to do

Choose one club and a comfortable half-swing pace. Complete 18 shots using the thigh-to-thigh release cue. Reset before each ball and finish every swing in balance.

First nine: Play nine comfortable half-swing shots using the thigh-to-thigh release cue. Reset before each ball. Second nine: Pause, then repeat nine shots with the same club and cue. Slow down if control slips.

Score	When to award it
1 point	You complete the shot, routine or movement described above.
0 points	You do not complete the attempt.

Add your completed attempts for a total out of eighteen.

FAQs

What equipment do I need?

Club + balls.

How do I set up this drill?

What should I focus on during practice?

Choose one club and a comfortable half-swing pace. Complete 18 shots using the thigh-to-thigh release cue. Reset before each ball and finish every swing in balance.

What should I keep in mind when practising?

A little more speed is useful only when the contact and direction come along for the ride. Repeat your round of 18 another day to build familiarity with the release.

What drill do you recommend I do next?

Try Rory McIlroy Hand Speed Drill next to explore hand speed with a split-hand rehearsal.

You could also use Shorter Backswing Drill to compare nine usual swings with nine shorter backswings. For another focused practice task, try Rory McIlroy Mini-Club Drill to check your grip and feel a weighted clubhead.

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