An often neglected component of the golf swing is the finish. Many players think their job is done once they have made impact with the ball. In fact, your club head should be moving fastest AFTER impact, approximately 3 feet past the ball.

This increased club head speed through impact, comes from acceleration. If you decelerate at the ball or just after you could have one of two distance killing finishes:

• 1. Finishing with your weight on your back foot. At impact you lean away from the target.
• 2. The dreaded chicken wing. When your lead arm bends and creates a right angle between your upper and lower arm.

Both of these moves will lead to errant shots and rob you of distance.

The fix:
Focus on accelerating your swing through the golf ball. Treat you actual swing like a practice swing; pretend the ball isn’t there. If this is done properly your arms will extend down the target line and your body will begin to make the key weight transfer to your front side. Allow your arms to fold naturally at the top of your swing.

In your finish think about:

• 1. Get your weight over your front foot (this will happen naturally if you are accelerating through the ball)
• 2. Have your belt buckle face the target
• 3. Have the sole of the shoe on your back foot fully visible. You should be able to lift the back foot up if you have properly transferred your weight.
• 4. Hold your finish in balance until your ball lands.Work on your finish and you will be shaving strokes off in no time!

Lisa is the 7-time Canadian Long Drive Champion for Women and ranked # 2 in the World. Lisa is the AB Director for Links for Women Golf Schools, is a Golf Entertainer, Motivational Speaker and Golf Journalist. She can be reached through her website at www.lisalongball.com.