Starting the downswing

[RichieWinch]

I noticed when i was looking at luke donald (I'm using him as my swing model as he is the same height and weight) that at impact his hips were a lot more open to mine at impact. This is the same with a lot of pro's ive looked at.

So at the range today i concentrated on getting to the top of the swing and starting the downswing with my hips to get them further open. The results were good but it felt like my downswing was a '1-2'. The hips starting then the club. Is this fine? and does ne1 else have this feeling?

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Starting the downswing

That's fantastic! Some people never "feel" that seperation. I still don't really feel it. I know I start my downswing with a bump of the left hip while keeping my back to the target.

Keep ingraining that move. It really works. If you are hitting the ball better you obviously know it works!

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Starting the downswing

I also want to point out another thing. If you read books or articles from some of the top 10 teachers (Leadbetter and Harmon for example), they talk about starting your hips WHILE your shoulders are still turning. This is a really difficult move but that is how much seperation some pros get.

I make this point in hopes you keep doing what you are doing. You will start drawing drives, spinning back low irons, and playing better golf!

[Simon Woo]

Re: Starting the downswing

Good point there. I've been trying to get more in touch with how my body feels throughout the swing lately, and precisely I feel that there's a lack of separation/tension in my body. I think that tension is important because it actually allows you to hit with the 'effortless power' that people talk about. I think I currently start the downswing with hips/shoulders/arms at the same time, not good for power cos u really have to use the arms to hit the ball. Currently working on moving hips first and getting the feeling that the arms are pulled along for the ride instead.

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Starting the downswing

- Right side lower body tension at the top. NO tension in your arms at the top.

- Start the downswing with a lower body movement. It might be easier to just think about bumping your left hip towards the target.

- The next move should be a dropping of the right elbow in front of the right hip WHILE maintaining your starting spine tilt. You should feel like your right elbow has all sorts of room to come from the inside.

[Timothy Slaught]

Re: Starting the downswing

Hello:

The hips are not touching the ground. Your two pivot points are the right and left leg. Since your feet contact the ground, any action to the hips requires good footwork. It is a rolling action on the feet while keeping the weight inside of the legs, to avoid swaying in the backswing and lunging in the downswing. If you watch slow motion video of Jack Nicklaus' swing it is very clear to see this fantastic foot action. Make sure not to overdo your new move. The feet/legs/hips initiating the downswing is a must so you are on the right track. You must maintain proper sequencing between the lower and upper body. It is imperative in the swing that you try to get focused on what each moving part is doing but not get overy focused. This is what happens when new swing keys eventually go bad. Golfers tend to get so wrapped up in their new move that they begin to neglect other basic but vital fundamentals and eventualy that "magic" new move ends up like the old driver that just does not seem to work anymore, in the closet (figuratively of course).

I am a drummer and one of the basic skills of this art require what is refered to as independence. It is the ability to have the four limbs performing different rythms, tempos, dynamics etc...simultaneously. Golf is very very similiar. You must be able to coordinate all of the various moves in good time or tempo. To play drums or golf successfully, you must train the mind and body to monitor and control this activity. This is best relegated to the practice tee but also applies to playing although on the course the focus should lean more toward target awareness. Keep your swing thoughts balanced and your golf swing will be too.

[ChadCash]

Re: Starting the downswing

Like as been said above keeping working on starting the downswing with the hips it is the secret to making a proper golf swing.

[RandomHero1090]

Re: Starting the downswing

Swing to the top and then bump the left hip. What happens? The right outstep starts to come up and the weight starts to transfer to the left outstep/heel.

Footwork is HUGE in golf. But it hard to learn. The hip bump makes it slightly easier to learn.

Remember, the proper weight transfer is to the right instep on the backswing and then to the left heel. NOT THE LEFT TOES!!!!!

Totally, 100% agree on footwork being a huge swing key.