How to build more power in a smaller frame, according to Luke Clanton

Welcome to Shaving Strokes, the GOLF.com series where we share the progress, lessons learned and takeaways from novice golfers like you — including the speed bumps and challenges they’ve faced along the way.

It always amazes me when I see a golfer with a small frame absolutely crushing the golf ball. Guys like Justin Thomas and Min Woo Lee come to mind, and both of those guys know it bombing out came the tea.

Unlike other sports, golf is not just about mindless power, and technique is very important to make solid ball contact to increase distance.

Another player who is generating a lot of immediate attention on the PGA Tour for his play and tee length is Luke Clanton – a 20-year-old freshman in college.

Clanton, a rising junior at FSU and currently the No. 1 freshman in the world, flexed his muscles at a few different tour events this summer. Not only did he score a T41 at the US Open, but he followed that performance with back-to-back T10s – T10 at the Rocket Mortgage and T2 at the John Deere Classic.

John Deere gave the world an appetizer course of what Clanton is capable of, as he went nuclear in the first and final rounds, shooting 63s throughout.

Although his overall game appears to be in form, Clanton’s driving has caught the attention of golf fans, with the 160-pounder averaging 320 yards with his driver. That’s crazy!

So how does Clanton make it from such a small frame? I asked his coach, GOLF Top 100 Teachers Alumni Jeff Leishman, who shared some secrets that can help almost every golfer. Check out the tips below.

Try this move for extra strength, says Luke Clanton

“Luke has a combination of lateral, vertical and rotational movement which, for his size and weight, enables him to generate the most effective force possible,” said Leishman.

For Clanton to generate as much power and distance as possible, it’s all about being in the right swing position at the right time – something Leishman has broken down in depth.

“His hips go from 48 degrees closed at the top of the backswing to 56 degrees open at touch, and his chest goes from 110 degrees closed at the top to 50 degrees open at touch — all in two-tenths of a second,” Leishman adds. “That’s a lot quickly, and that speed allows his 160-pound frame to generate a ball speed anywhere between 185-190 miles per hour.”

So what is the key to all of this? Leishman offers three important features.

1. Start with a broad base

Doing this increases Clanton’s ability to put energy into the ground.

For the average golfer, you can achieve this by simply extending your stance slightly at address. The old reference point of “having your feet shoulder width apart” is no longer the goal, as many beauties today are much wider than that.

2. Use a large twist (or coil) while tightening the right leg

Place the steering stick or club on the chest and turn completely to your side of the lane (as the picture above shows). Your goal should be to make your pelvis 40 degrees closed, and 80 degrees closed with your upper body – all relative to the target line.

Now make circular movements with the hips and chest first, then add the arms. This reduces the chance of a “false turn,” which is simply an arm lift. If you’re doing this rotation correctly, you’ll want the club to be pointing down at the ball while you feel the pressure building up inside your trailing foot.

3. Use low power

Clanton pushes his left leg into the ground, which drives his left hip open and up.

Here’s a good visualization: Imagine yourself standing on the bathroom scale and putting a lot of pressure on the lead foot so that the needle goes as high as possible. There needs to be a shift of your pelvis to the leading side to create enough downward thrust. Remember, there is a difference between a change in mass and a change in pressure.

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Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor