Start the downswing comparison

[Garp]

This morning I went to the range with the sole purpose of comparing the two methods of starting the downswing, ie pulling the hands down (or putting the right elbow into the hip) or starting with a rotation of the hips. I felt that if performed without jerks the hip rotation gives much better results, most of my pulls disappeared. It's very hard work however for me, I feel more confident with the pulling method at this moment. It will take a lot of effort to trust the hip rotation start. When I came home I taped myself shooting a few airballs using both methods, I was pretty surprised that the dreaded chicken wing which is there with the pulling down start seems to have vanished with the hips start. My airballs also landed about 4 meters further with the hip rotation. When watching the video it was quite clear that I initiated the downswing with a lateral move of the left knee towards the target, the rotation more or less follows pulling down the right elbow. Is this the appropriate method, is this enough? I'm certainly not of the woods yet but I have regained some hope for my game. Cheers.

[Ian Hancock]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

Hi Garp,

It sounds like you are on the right tracks with the hip rotation, be careful not to over do it and start sliding or lifting the head.

It is a common mistake when trying to rotate the hips first, you will find it easier to achieve if you work on the impact position at the same time as hip rotation.

Check Gregs right hand drill and impact, you should find them very helpful.


Good Luck


Ian.

http://members.cox.net/gregjwillis/LESSON1.html

[pnearn]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

Garp

Well done mate, keep at it! Im sure the left hip rotation is better to feel as Ian says

One other thing to note always try and keep your back facing the target as you start the downswing ( with either method) as this is what stops you coming OTT with too early an upper body move. It sometimes helps me to really exagerate this feeling when Im practicing

Sounds like youre definitely on the right road. If it feels difficult and strange its probably right!

[billneurauter]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

Garp,

It sounds like you have been working on the same thing I have the past few months. I have tried dropping the arms while keeping the shoulders turned, but unless you unwind the hips you'll just jam yourself doing this. The big turning point for me was learning the difference between spinning the hips, and making a lateral move and then turning them. If you just spin your hips you won't shift weight and will still come over the top, this was a big tendancy with me. But if you make a lateral move with the knees and hips toward the target it is extremely powerful. When I lose this feeling I try to start the move with my hips while my upper body is still finishing the backswing. Glad to hear you found it.

[Mr_Change]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

Your hips movement gets your club back to the lower plane so you can use your fast hands and powerful shoulders together on plane.

[Simon Woo]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

Good points there. So where does one draw the distinction between a lateral shift and sliding?

[Garp]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

Thanks for the nice comments. Whenever I feel lost I will come back to this thread just to read that this is the way to follow. It will take time but if you want to improve there are not too many alternatives. God knows how much I would like to be a natural ...

[Kenisu]

Re: Start the downswing comparison

hi all,

Mr. Change is right.
The problem when full turning your hips and fastly is that the hands come too late getting the club out of plane (too flat). This happens, in my opinion, because the shoulders want to catch the hips, and doing this, they come out of plane. This is not a race between hips and shoulders.
Let the shoulders wait for the hands a bit more and make the big turn at impact.

Toni.