How to Release the Golf Club

There are several ways on how to release the golf club, depending on the desired shot shape and technique. Here are some of the most common ways:

1. Passive release: In this method, the golfer lets the clubhead release naturally without actively trying to manipulate it. This technique is best for straight shots and is often used by beginners.
2. Active release: This method involves actively manipulating the clubhead through impact to create a specific shot shape. For example, a golfer might use an active release to create a draw or fade.
3. Over-the-top release: This technique involves releasing the clubhead over the top of the swing path, creating a slice or fade. This is often used by golfers with an outside-in swing path.
4. Under-the-plane release: This technique involves releasing the clubhead under the swing plane, creating a hook or draw. This is often used by golfers with an inside-out swing path.
5. Delayed release: This method involves delaying the release of the clubhead until after impact, creating a lower ball flight and more spin.
6. Early release: This technique involves releasing the clubhead early in the downswing, which can lead to a higher ball flight and less spin. It is often used by golfers who struggle with hitting the ball too low.
7. Lag release: This method involves holding the lag angle between the clubshaft and left arm as long as possible before releasing the clubhead through impact. This creates a powerful, late release and is often used by professional golfers to generate more clubhead speed.
8. Wide release: This technique involves extending the arms fully at the moment of release, creating a wider swing arc and greater power. It is often used by golfers who struggle with hitting the ball too short.
9. One-handed release: This method involves releasing the club with only one hand, usually the right hand for right-handed golfers or the left hand for left-handed golfers. This can be used to create a specific shot shape or to practice proper hand and arm rotation through impact.
10. Roll release: This technique involves rolling the wrists at the moment of release, which can create a more open or closed clubface depending on the desired shot shape. It is often used by golfers who want to control their ball flight more precisely.
11. Three-quarter release: This technique involves releasing the club with a three-quarter swing, stopping the follow-through before it reaches full extension. This can be used to control distance and trajectory, as well as to reduce stress on the body.
12. Full release: This method involves releasing the club with a full follow-through, extending the arms and rotating the body fully. This can create maximum power and distance, but also requires greater control and precision.
13. Downward release: This technique involves releasing the clubhead on a downward angle through impact, which can create a more penetrating ball flight and reduce spin. It is often used by golfers who struggle with hitting the ball too high.
14. Upward release: This method involves releasing the clubhead on an upward angle through impact, which can create a higher ball flight and more spin. It is often used by golfers who want to stop the ball quickly on the green.
15. One-piece release: This technique involves keeping the hands and arms connected throughout the swing, creating a unified, efficient motion. It is often used by golfers who struggle with inconsistency or have a tendency to disconnect their upper and lower body during the swing.
16. Snap release: This technique involves snapping the wrists quickly at the moment of release, which can create a burst of clubhead speed and power. It is often used by golfers who want to add extra distance to their shots.
17. Hold-off release: This method involves holding the clubface slightly open through impact, which can create a fade or slice. It is often used by golfers who want to control their ball flight or avoid a hook.
18. Flip release: This technique involves flipping the hands through impact, which can create a higher ball flight and more spin. It is often used by golfers who want to hit soft, lofted shots around the green.
19. Square release: This method involves releasing the clubhead square to the target line, creating a straight shot with minimal spin. It is often used by golfers who want to hit the ball straight or control their trajectory.
20. Inside release: This technique involves releasing the clubhead on an inside path through impact, creating a draw or hook. It is often used by golfers who have an outside-in swing path or want to add a bit of right-to-left spin to their shots.

Remember that the best release method for you will depend on your individual swing style, physical capabilities, and goals. Experiment with different techniques and work with a golf instructor to identify the release method that works best for you.

Here is a table that compares all above methods so you can decide what suits you the best:

 

Method	Description	Best used for…	Pros	Cons
Passive release	Natural release without manipulation	Straight shots, beginner golfers	Simple and easy to execute	Limited power and control
Active release	Actively manipulating the clubhead	Creating a specific shot shape	More control over shot shape	Requires precise timing and practice
Over-the-top release	Releasing the clubhead over the swing path	Slices or fades, outside-in swing path	Helps correct outside-in swing path	Can lead to inconsistency or over-correction
Under-the-plane release	Releasing the clubhead under the swing path	Hooks or draws, inside-out swing path	Helps correct inside-out swing path	Can lead to inconsistency or over-correction
Delayed release	Delaying the release of the clubhead	Lower ball flight, more spin	More spin on shots, greater control	Can result in shorter shots
Early release	Releasing the clubhead early in the downswing	Higher ball flight, less spin	Higher ball flight, easier to get airborne	Can result in inconsistent shots
Lag release	Holding the lag angle as long as possible before release	More clubhead speed, powerful release	Generates more power and clubhead speed	Requires good timing and practice
Wide release	Extending the arms fully at the moment of release	Greater power, longer shots	Maximizes power and distance	Can result in less control
One-handed release	Releasing the club with only one hand	Creating a specific shot shape, practicing hand and arm rotation	Can help with shot shaping, builds wrist and arm strength	Can lead to inconsistency or over-correction
Roll release	Rolling the wrists at the moment of release	Controlling ball flight more precisely	Provides more control over shot shape	Can result in inconsistent shots
Three-quarter release	Releasing the club with a three-quarter swing	Controlling distance and trajectory, reducing stress on the body	Reduces stress on the body, easier to control shots	Can result in shorter shots
Full release	Releasing the club with a full follow-through	Maximum power and distance, requires greater control	Generates maximum power and distance	Requires precise control and timing
Downward release	Releasing the clubhead on a downward angle through impact	Penetrating ball flight, reducing spin	Reduces spin, produces a penetrating ball flight	Can result in lower trajectory
Upward release	Releasing the clubhead on an upward angle through impact	Higher ball flight, more spin	Produces a higher ball flight with more spin	Can result in inconsistent shots
One-piece release	Keeping the hands and arms connected throughout the swing	Creating a unified, efficient motion	Promotes a smooth, efficient swing motion	Can be difficult to master
Snap release	Snapping the wrists quickly at the moment of release	Adding extra distance to shots	Generates more clubhead speed and power	Can be difficult to time correctly
Hold-off release	Holding the clubface slightly open through impact	Controlling ball flight, avoiding a hook	Provides more control over shot shape	Can lead to inconsistency or over-correction
Flip release	Flipping the hands through impact	Getting out of trouble, finesse shots	Can add loft to the shot, helpful in certain situations	Can result in inconsistent shots, requires precise timing
Square release	Keeping the clubface square through impact	Straight shots	Promotes consistency, reduces sidespin	May result in less distance, requires precise timing
Inside release	Releasing the clubhead to the inside of the swing path through impact	Correcting a slice, hitting a draw	Promotes a draw or hook shot, more power due to less spin	Can result in inconsistent shots, requires precise timing