Float Load Good / Bad / Opinions?

So basically, I have used the float load technique as my takeaway and transition for the past 30 years plus of me playing golf. I never heard the term float load until recently. I think my technique came from a Jack Nicklaus VHS of Golf My Way where he stressed "low and slow" on the takeaway.

I know there are positives and negatives to this approach, but I want to be more consistent with my ballstriking and since I am not able to play or practice as much as I used too, my float load, which is TIMING DEPENDENT, has suffered and is inconsistent.

I still play in some tournaments at the local and state level, can this change me made somewhat seamless for more consistency in my ballstriking and stay competitive without complete overhaul?

When I search for instruction or tips, there are more instructors trying to teach this method for more power than ones attempting to fix it? Power is great but would much rather have a consistent strike without a two may miss. Now I do have some early extension which also is the cause of inconsistency, but that is another topic.

Thoughts

I think if you watch Greg McHatton videos on youtube, it looks like float loading to me. I played with it some on the range here and there and like you mentioned, it can produce good power and pure strikes but I just couldn't get it to work consistently so I gave up on it. It also felt like I had to have a real loose grip to get it to work but then I would rush the downswing because I felt like I didn't know where the club was ..maybe I was doing it wrong??

As a result of your swing sequence....good

On purpose....bad

Float loading, as I understand it, is a reaction in the wrists to the body moving in the proper sequence in the transition helping to set the club up in an in plane condition for impact. It is, as Ben Doyle told me years ago, the insurance against clubhead throwaway (casting from the top or anywhere along the delivery line), increases swing speed and helps with lag tremendously.

I do it and have for years as well.

A big manufactured float load requires a cupped lead wrist coming down. If you have anything less than a super strong grip, the clubface will be wide open and the body will make compensations to square the face. Guys like Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, and Rory McIlroy are actually doing the polar opposite of float loading.

A big manufactured float load requires a cupped lead wrist coming down. If you have anything less than a super strong grip, the clubface will be wide open and the body will make compensations to square the face. Guys like Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, and Rory McIlroy are actually doing the polar opposite of float loading.

So mine is not manufactured just the natural way my body has wanted to work. When timing is on my ballstriking is really good, when timing gets off, bad contact and 2 way miss. Not playing near is much so timing has been an issue which led me to this post.

I have a high left arm and hand and my left hand is bowed like Dustin Johnson, not purposely, again just the way my body works. I dont get near the width that DJ produces though. Years ago people would ask how I make contact with the left wrist, now they think it is cool because DJ does it.

A big manufactured float load requires a cupped lead wrist coming down. If you have anything less than a super strong grip, the clubface will be wide open and the body will make compensations to square the face. Guys like Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, and Rory McIlroy are actually doing the polar opposite of float loading.

So mine is not manufactured just the natural way my body has wanted to work. When timing is on my ballstriking is really good, when timing gets off, bad contact and 2 way miss. Not playing near is much so timing has been an issue which led me to this post.

 

I have a high left arm and hand and my left hand is bowed like Dustin Johnson, not purposely, again just the way my body works. I dont get near the width that DJ produces though. Years ago people would ask how I make contact with the left wrist, now they think it is cool because DJ does it.

It's impossible to float load if you have a bowed wrist like DJ. There's not enough range of motion in the wrist. It would be possible if you went from flexion to extension immediately in transition. If you actually do that I could see how you'd be dealing with a 2 way miss.