[Yoda]

I have another question if you have a minute. The feeling of "dragging" the club through the hitting zone (i.e. lag or drag drills)... it seems awkward to keep the body moving in such a manner that would give this sensation while swinging in realtime. Is that natural? Do I just need more practice? Is that something I even need to be trying to accomplish?

Yes, you absolutely should be trying to capture the correct sensation of Clubhead Lag Pressure. And no, it is not natural.

In fact, learning to Deliver inert Lag Pressure into Impact is one of the most unnatural act imaginable. It is why there are so few really good players. It is also why, in the first edition of TGM, Homer Kelley used ten descriptive terms and one analogy to spell out unmistakeably its sensation:

"The correct Clubhead Lag Pressure Feel is a deadweight -- a status quo -- a deliberate, unvarying 'steady as she goes'. An unrevoked, unreversed, stable, permanent inertia. Exactly like dragging a wet mop through Impact."

Well, all rightee then!

First, I would look up each of the terms in the dictionary. Dwell on the intellectual concept of the totally inert Lag Pressure. Then, in drill, repeat (and sense) each word (or group of words) as you s-l-o-w-l-y drag a real wet mop -- not a dry mop and not a broom! -- through the Impact. That would be eleven 'drag-throughs'. Make sure you keep your Left Wrist Flat and your Right Wrist Bent throughout the exercise. Then one or two more 'drag-throughs' repeating (and sensing) the entire description. Do that every day for three weeks and, I promise you, your Motion through Impact will improve -- probably dramatically.

Now you are ready for the Practice Tee. The goal is now to capture the sensation during an actual Golf Stroke. Leave the long Clubs in the bag and head for the Short Game area. You simply must begin with the short Chips and Pitches. Before each Stroke, repeat the words "Dra-a-a-g my wet mop."

Dra-a-a-g my wet mop. Click!

Dra-a-a-g my wet mop. Click!

Dra-a-a-g my wet mop. Click!

Every now and then, don't hit a Ball. Instead, just put the Clubhead down opposite your right foot and simply drag the clubhead along the ground until it must come up. All the while, of course, leading the Clubhead through with your Flat Left Wrist and your Bent Right Wrist. A few thousand of these Chips, Pitches and Drag Drills and you will be on track for a lifetime of better Golf.

Finally, when you can swing your Hands through the Ball -- and not hit at the Ball! -- while keeping your Left Wrist Flat and your Right Wrist Bent, proceed to the longer strokes and simply add more 'zip'. The character of the Motion remains the same.