This energy leak can cost you tons of yards off the tee

Almost every recreational golfer can benefit from more speed in their golf swing. If you can hit the ball continuously, the game becomes much easier.

When chasing this distance, most golfers will think about what they are doing it should making it produce more speed. But sometimes, the secret to more distance is simply taking away the moves you have should not doing that costs yards.

In the video below posted by the Titleist Performance Institute, you can see a common mistake golfers make during the backswing that costs them swing speed.

Don't 'fast' the speed

If you've ever tried to add any speed to your swing, you've probably heard that you need to use the ground. This is called “ground reaction force” and is the main driver of speed in a turn.

However, when most recreational players try to push into the ground during the downswing, they do so in a way that rewards power.

The average recreational player will squat during the downswing, but never back up as the club approaches the ball. This is, as the coach in the video above says, “No. 1 pass out” in the game of golf.

When you are going to swing down, you should extend your lead leg as the clubhead approaches impact. This will ensure that you generate more speed and keep you from losing power during the downswing.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

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