How to properly load your rear leg and increase strength

Swinging a golf club is no A natural movement. This is why when someone picks up a club for the first time, no matter how athletic they are, they always look awkward in their swing.

While the golf swing does not feel natural, there are elements that incorporate natural movement. When you can learn how to incorporate these motor movements into your golf swing, it becomes easier for you to create a consistent swing with great power.

In the video below, coaches from Titleist Performance Institute demonstrate this phenomenon as they teach guys from Chasing Scratch how to properly load to the side of the track by incorporating the feel of the pitch.

How to load onto your trail side

Loading to the side of your trail is crucial if you want to produce maximum power. However, when trying to load up on that off-road stretch, many casual players do it wrong.

Proper feel for loading to the trail side involves pushing your right hip back toward your right rear pocket (for right-handed golfers). However, when trying to do this, many players will do what's called a “reverse pivot,” essentially shifting their weight back to the left.

To get the right feel for this load, complete the motion of throwing the ball. When you do this, you always turn and load onto your trail side, which allows you to properly push off the trail leg. The same principle applies to the golf swing.

So if you're struggling to learn the feel of properly loading onto the trail side, consider throwing a ball. If you do this and are able to incorporate this movement into your golf swing, you'll be hitting long, solid balls in no time.