Release Styles Explained — How You Transmit Power
This video builds directly on the Power Layers concept.
If you haven’t watched that first—start there.
Because this is where things get more complex.
And then… simpler again.
The Problem with Release
The release is probably the most misunderstood topic in golf.
Most golfers:
- Try to time it
- Try to hold it
- Try to force it
And end up with something that never quite works.
Why?
Because they don’t understand this:
👉 The release is not one thing
👉 It changes with the pattern
My Scope (Important)
Before we go further, here’s my filter:
- Achievability
- Lower injury risk
- High-level performance
That means:
👉 No extreme “hold angles and fire” model
👉 No dependency on elite-level flexibility
👉 No body-driven manipulation
Also:
👉 I’m not talking about a “body release” here
👉 I’m talking about club, hands, and arms
That’s the scope.
Understanding Release Through Parameters
Instead of one model, I look at release through parameters.
This is not something you think about while swinging.
This is for understanding.
So you can stop overthinking when you actually play.
Parameter 1 — Early vs Late
Release timing is pattern-dependent.
- Early release → fits certain motions (Nicklaus, Tiger tendencies)
- Later release → fits others (Hogan + Loads of Modern “Slingshot” Players)
Neither is correct or incorrect.
👉 It depends on the engine behind it
Parameter 2 — Frontside vs Backside Entry
Now it gets more advanced.
Different patterns “enter” the release differently.
- Some want the clubface to shut down early
- Others use a backside shallowing mechanism and let closure happen later in a very unintuitive way.
This is where:
👉 Intentional forces
👉 And momentum forces
start working together.
It might sound strange—but the wrists want to work correctly…
👉 If the intentions are applied at the right time
Parameter 3 — Release Entry vs Exit
Some patterns use the entry into release to control impact.
Others use the exit of the release to stabilize everything.
Examples:
- Tiger / Nicklaus → strong follow-through influence
- Fred Couples → later, more relaxed backside entry
Different feels.
Same function.
Patterns Decide the Release
This is the key.
You don’t need to understand every detail.
But you need to understand this:
👉 Different patterns use different releases
And more importantly:
👉 You need to perform tasks that match your pattern
From Complexity to Simplicity
You don’t swing thinking:
“Frontside entry, late release, exit-driven closure…”
That’s not how this works.
Instead:
👉 You understand the system
👉 Then you perform simple, athletic tasks mostly inspired with the forces in the club.
And the release happens.
Examples (Behind the Scenes)
Each pattern carries its own release logic:
- Big Arc Swinger
- Trail Power Hitter
- Backside Chop & Push
They look different.
Because they are different.
But they all:
👉 Transmit power efficiently
👉 When matched with the right tasks
Final Thoughts — Let It Happen
Most golfers want two things:
- To understand the swing
- To keep it simple
That’s what I do.
I go complex first—so you don’t have to stay there.
👉 Knowledge first
👉 Simple application second
Watch the Power Layers video.
Then come back to this.
And start building something that actually works.
Check out all Video Articles on the Overview Page here.
Check out the Forgotten Master Moves homepage here.
In the FMM Academy I teach differnt patterns and it’s all about fit – has it’s overview page here.