Starting the downswing

[Kenisu]

What would you recommend to start the downswing:

1. From the lower body ( feet, knees and hips ).
2. Let the arms drop into the slot making the body rotate naturaly.

Thanks.

Toni.

[GreeBoman]

Re: Starting the downswing

I used to do 2 and have recently changed to 1 with much success.
I find that if I start with my legs -> hips it whips my arms and hands around and also transfers my weight better.
I have gained yards and better contact through this approach.

[delboy159]

Re: Starting the downswing

I would be keen to hear advice on this also. I am at the stage where I'm happy with where I should/can/want to bring the club in the backswing, but my problem (and it's more psychological than anything else) is I start the downswing with my arms or rush it etc. - it is killing my game, especially when I want to play well. My best rounds and best shots are on the strength of "letting the shoulders turn - and the club hits the ball without me really feeling invloved"

I have used many triggers or drills to get my swing to this point.
The best one which has helped my swaying is to imagine someone has there thumb (or finger) in my right back pocket of my trousers. As I start the back swing, I imagine this person is pulling me pocket backwards. This initiates the hip turn, which has stopped me swaying and thus I'm now turning my hips.

I have my check points along the backswing
1. Keep on the target line when taking the club back
2. Club parallel with grouind when hands are just below hips - I used to cock the wrists very early - even at that point
3. End of club pointing to ball at 3/4 stage of back swing - this used to point at my feet
4. Clubhead not open or closed when I've done my full shoulder turn.

However, all of this "good work" seems to fall apart, because I can't feel or imagine a comfortable relaxed transition to the downswing. Some days I'm just in a relaxed smooth humour and the transition is smooth and I can hit my driver 230 yards. Then other days the transition is rushed and I top/dig/hack every club. I know its the fact I don't leave the shoulders alone to do their thing, but I have no real "GO TO" trigger or trick to rectify the instinct....

By the way - advice like transfer weight or move the right elbow to the right hip is no good for me. If someone had said turn your hips instead of swaying I wouldn't have a hope. When the golf pro gave me the thumb in the back pocket trick I got it straight away....

[GreeBoman]

Re: Starting the downswing

I got it after looking at a load of swing photos of Ernie and Tiger.
I noticed that their hips are nearly facing the target at impact, mine were not....
In fact impact was bringing my hips around and then transferring my weight, WAY too late.

[ChadCash]

Re: Starting the downswing

The downswing in my opinion is definitely started with the lower body i.e. the hips are my trigger. I try to get a good weight shift in my backswing and then all I have to do is not rush the swing and let my hip bump toward the target. I believe after this bump the hips almost turn automatically but for a higher handicap they may come across the line and never turn their hips. On the other hand I believe if you start the downswing with your lower body and don't rush the motion then you can't come over the top. Just remember to hold your finish when trying these thoughts. You should be able to hit the ball and hold the finish and stand there all day, it should be that comfortable.

[msklar92]

Re: Starting the downswing

I think there are 2 school of thought on this, Flick places more emphasis on arms, other schools more emphasis on lower body as swing initiator. I have tried both swing thoughts and both work. Somedays I'm better when thinking arms and other days lower body. Whatever you do, the arms and lower body need to work in sync. If your hips spin to quickly and disconnect from the arms can lead to pushes and pulls, because the arms get stuck behind you and then requires timing of the hand to square the clubhead.

[qassim]

Re: Starting the downswing

Starting the downswing with the hips has certainly improved the consistency of my game over recent weeks.

In the past I knew what I was trying to achieve with the backswing and what I was supposed to be 'feeling' but didn't really know how to start the downswing and consequently ended up just 'rushing' to hit the ball. This led to a great deal of inconsistency.

I have also tried to start the downswing with my shoulders but found that this led to hittng the ball left (due to approaching the ball from outside the line) and also a loss in distance due to ineffective weight transfer.

[LowPost42]

Re: Starting the downswing

Hips here - although it feels like it's upper body... video shows otherwise.

[GreeBoman]

Re: Starting the downswing

I go wrong when I either dont wait for the legs/hips to start and I rush the downswing
Or I make a big dirty lunge instead of a transfer/turn and blast the ball out right. (usually with the driver)
I dont agree that you need to time the squaring with your hands, on the contrary if you have a light grip the club will square itself.
Trying to square it usually leads to allsorts of problems. (for me anyway)

[joechang]

Re: Starting the downswing

So on the downswing should my shoulders be involved at all? Am I just swinging the club with my back, legs, hips, etc? I have been coming over the top quite a bit, but I'm sure it's because my shoulders are swinging the club (even though they follow the legs, hips).

Should a golf swing feel like a uncoil? So if I disabled my shoulders and upper body -- would my swing work just as well?

Thanks in advance for the advice. I'm trying to develop the "feel" of what a proper swing should feel like. I feel like I've been muscling the ball too much with my upper body.

[GreeBoman]

Re: Starting the downswing

So on the downswing should my shoulders be involved at all? Am I just swinging the club with my back, legs, hips, etc? I have been coming over the top quite a bit, but I'm sure it's because my shoulders are swinging the club (even though they follow the legs, hips).

yep your shoulders are involved, but they dont start it.
You coil up starting with the arms/shoulders/wrists/hips and then uncoil in reverse.
For me that generates a lot of torque that whips the clubhead around without me having to use much arm force.

Should a golf swing feel like a uncoil? So if I disabled my shoulders and upper body -- would my swing work just as well?

Depends on what you mean by disable... let them hang along for the ride on the range and see how you do.
just dont rush anything, dont worry about distance or targets, just look for sweet contact and ball flight.

[ChadCash]

Re: Starting the downswing

I think that if you start the downswing with the lower body you won't have to worry about your shoulders. You can trust it and go ahead and be aggressive. Keep it simple.

[Mizunoman]

Re: Starting the downswing

My main thought....you cant start down until you finish going up. Too many bad shots result from not finishing the backswing.

I always start the downswing with the hands, if you havent finished the backswing you cant start with the hands, its a good way to make sure you dont get too quick.

D.

[ChadCash]

Re: Starting the downswing

I personally don't see it that way. If you take a look at alot of tour player they actually start moving toward the target i.e. shifting the weight before they even finish their backswing.

[pnearn]

Re: Starting the downswing

My main thought....you cant start down until you finish going up. Too many bad shots result from not finishing the backswing.

I always start the downswing with the hands, if you havent finished the backswing you cant start with the hands, its a good way to make sure you dont get too quick.

D.

Im the same, it feels like the hands and arms pull start to work the club down, but in reality everything is moving together. However the 'feel' for me is the pulling down of the hands/arms whilst leaving the back facing the target