This is maximized when the golf ball is struck between the 5th and 6th groove of the club face. The deformation of the ball and spring like effect off the face gives out the noise of a well struck shot. The hissing noise and softness of a solid shot is what we all strive for. It can not be accomplished by hitting the golf ball on the bottom of the club face. This error is from the early release and loss of Lag on the downswing.

Forward shaft lean at impact is what allows for the golf ball to be hit in between the 5th and 6th groove. If the shaft is neutral or leaning backwards at impact the golf ball will strike the bottom of the club face. Thus there will be less compression and a loss of distance.

Result of forward shaft lean and maintaining lag. You can cheat by moving your upper body ahead of the ball and still throw the club early on the downswing (I see this a lot with amateurs trying to “hit down”) but the ball flight will not be ideal. Divot before the ball comes from the early release or casting.

The feeling of the ball hitting between the 5th and 6th groove and in the center of the clubface. Off center hits usually come from a poor release and an unsquared club face.

Squaring the face with a flipping of the wrists is the most inconsistent way to apply impact. The golf club is designed to hit the ball with a forward leaning shaft in relationship to the clubface. That is why the shaft is built in front of the clubface. Hitting the ball with a neutral or backward leaning shaft makes it impossible to hit the sweet spot.   

The loss of lag, not maintaining the angle on the downswing, unhinging the wrists too early on the downswing results in the club head being lower to the ground in the downswing. This move puts the bottom of the swing arc further behind the golf ball. When the bottom of the arc is behind the golf ball it is impossible to hit down. The club heads only option is to begin to swing in an upward direction. The dreaded thin or topped shot soon follows. “Hitting down” with an early release relates to the dreaded fat shot. 

More lag keeps the club head higher above the ground into the ball. This increases the vertical descent of the club head towards the golf ball as well as moving the bottom of the arc in the golf swing more forward. 

More lag delays the unhinging of the wrists. This delay stores power in the club head. More clubhead speed can be applied to the golf ball when the unhinging of the wrists is delayed. 

An early release, cast, or flip when trying to square the face usually coordinates with a trail hand under lead hand follow through which promotes the dreaded chicken wing. With more lag on the downswing and a delayed release squaring the face requires more of a trail hand “rolling over” lead hand follow through with a lead elbow folding on the follow through. 

   

Hand and wrist action at impact when an early release has happened on the downswing. 

Hand and wrist position at impact when lag is maintained effectively on downswing. Maintaining lag on the downswing will result in a forward leaning shaft at impact. This wrist position is a must in order to square the face at impact. 

 

A descending blow of the club head into the ball will smash the ball on the clubface. The grooves will grab the cover of the ball imparting backspin, which will allow the ball to lift into the air and land softly.

Maintaining lag allows for a descending blow, steeper angle of attack and provides more speed in the club head. These attributes are vital to be a good bunker player. This is why poor ball strikers (early releasers) are poor bunker players.