DrivingSpeed, Power, and Distance Driver Beginners / Seniors ⏱ 14 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Catapult Method for the Driver: Wrists First, Then Swing the Body

Name: Catapult Method for the Driver: Wrists First, Then Swing the Body
Uploaded: 2023-07-15T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 13 min 57 s
Channel: Danny Maude
Description: Adam, a senior golfer from the United States, hits his drive 96 yards. Danny Maude takes a different approach from what’s commonly seen on social media: he first has him use his wrists and arms to “catapult” the club, then his entire body, like a hammer thrower. The whole process is repeated in a matter of seconds before each shot.

Adam, a senior golfer from the United States, hits his drive 96 yards. Danny Maude takes a different approach from what’s commonly seen on social media: he first has him use his wrists and arms to “catapult” the club, then his entire body, like a hammer thrower. The whole process is repeated in a matter of seconds before each shot.

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Danny Maude · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

26 minNext Level UpPete Cowen's Push-Pull Driver DrillPeter Cowen · Intermediate / Expert 11 minNext Level UpIncreasing Your Clubhead Speed: Adjustments and ExercisesQuentin Rachinel · Intermediate 9 minFrom the same proPlaying from Slopes Made Simple: Danny MaudeDanny Maude · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

At first, Adam swings at about 65 mph club-level speed. Danny Maude asks him to do something that many people advise against: use your hands and arms. Top players work on their body mechanics, but they already have a lot of hand movement. Without that leverage, the body can move as much as it wants—nothing will happen. Exercise: Hold the club with your fingertips and let it whip through the air until you hear a whistling sound—first with just your right hand, then just your left, and then both. The circle passes around with your body, not upward. Variation: Swing forward first, then “catapult” the club backward.

With the ball, Danny lets it go wherever it wants: first we work on speed, then we correct the form. Adam quickly reaches 73, then 75 mph. To take it further, you have to extend the circle: imagine throwing the club far away like a hammer, by engaging the core—not just the arms—and letting the hips move on the upswing. Before each drive, take a practice swing to “set up” the shot. By the end of the session, Adam is hitting the ball at 77 mph and driving it about 60 yards farther than on his first drive.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Hold the club between your fingertips and swing it until you hear it whistle.
Try it again using only your right hand, then only your left hand, with the club held between your fingers.
Bring both hands back together and maintain that same catapult-like sensation, moving in a circle around your body.
Swing the club forward, then snap it backward.
Hit the balls without worrying about the direction—just listen for the whistling sound.
Imagine throwing the club far away like a hammer, bracing your body and letting your hips move.
Before each drive, take a practice swing to set up your shot, then take your shot.

Key Takeaways

Without active wrists or arms, the body alone cannot generate speed.

Holding the club between your fingers helps you swing it.

The club's arc goes around the body, not upward.

We look for speed first, then direction.

In the hammer throw, the body extends the circle.

A “warm-up” swing before each shot.

Mistakes to Avoid

Keep your wrists stiff and let your body do all the work.
Raise the club upward instead of swinging it around your body.
Determine the direction before picking up speed.
Swing the club using only your arms, without rotating your torso.
Lock your hips during the backswing.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

The club swings in my fingers as I listen to the whistling sound
One hand, then the other, then both
Hits without worrying about the direction
“Hammer” practice swing before each drive

Your Questions

Why use the wrists when it's often recommended to use the body?

Danny Maude explains that top players already use their hands a lot. Without that leverage, Adam could move his whole body, but he couldn't generate speed.

What's the point of barely keeping the club afloat?

Let the clubhead swing freely. You can hear it whistle—that’s the catapult-like sensation you’ll want to recreate later with a normal grip.

What does “swing the hammer” mean when it comes to the driver?

Imagine throwing the club far by using your whole body, not just your arms. That’s what lengthens the arc and adds even more speed after the wrists.

What should you do before each drive?

A practice swing to “get into” the hammer throw—just a few seconds—then keep working with that same feel.

Learn More

All “Driving” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you All “Speed, Power, and Distance” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Pete Cowen's Push-Pull Driver DrillPeter Cowen helps Danny Maude feel the “push-pull” action in his legs—pushing off the ground to pull with his hips—for a smooth body rotation with the driver. Increasing Your Clubhead Speed: Adjustments and ExercisesGain speed without straining: adjust your loft, tee, and ball position; swing with a relaxed hip motion; and feel the acceleration after contact. Seniors: Lift Your Left Heel to Drive FurtherFor senior golfers, keeping the left heel planted on the ground shortens the takeaway and causes you to tense up; letting it lift allows for a full shoulder turn and a relaxed swing. Danny MaudeAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Danny Maude). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.