Clueless about downswing

[alexpfc]

I must admit I am totally clueless about what do on my downswing. Most of my shots fade right or slice, and the rest of them are not worth mentioning. Rarely I hit it straight. I am fine on my takeaway and backswing (or so I am told), but I can't get the downswing right. I have read (on this site and elsewhere) where you must turn your hips first, then the shoulders, but I just can't seem to get it right. How the heck do you rotate your hips without your shoulders?? Anyway, any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[Golfbald]

Alexpfc,

Check out the post in Lefties Corner called Hiiting VS Swinging there is some good detail about and the sequence of motion. If you need more help get a video of your swing down the line and face on and post it in the photo gallery.

A picture is worth a thousand words.

GolfBald

[alexpfc]

I am not a lefty, so I am not sure if you were writing that post from a lefty's viewpoint, but they way to activate your hips on the downswing is by lifting the left heel? I thought the left heel is lifted up on the backswing? Sorry for the confusion

[Golfbald]

Chris,

Yes the post was written for the lefties so you would subsitute left for right and right for left. And yes the right heel would be the first to move in the transition.

GolfBald

[Golfbald]

Chris,

To see a good example, look at the Lesson section and have a look at How to hit a driver. Greg has some very good detail about the through swing and the Ask a pro section would have more details also.

GolfBald

[jscerbo]

Downswing Education

This should help you

Think about sequence

The golf swing is started with all the body parts moving together

A sequential motion it happens in 1-2-3-4-5

So the downswing must start with 5-4-3-2-1 This results from great timing.

Check your grip is your left hand too far over and on top of your right hand in roder to check this note the V that is made with the left forefinger and the thumb, this should point to your left shoulder. If it is not and it is pointed to your right shoulder then you have a weak grip resulting in an open clubface at impact, this will also cause you to take the club outside on the takeaway.

To touch on more thing if you are not in a corridor of success at the top you can naver have an ideal downswing, resulting in inconsistent contact.



The reason you are fading the ball is your upper torso is accelerating at an extremely rapid pace, thus the club is then cast at out to in path

Your left arm is straying too far away from your body

The downswing is started with the legs or hips.

At first they move laterally and then they move to the side (rotating)

Think of a compass

Your upper body moves East and West and North and South

Instead if trying to rotate the hips

Bump the hips a slight lateral move this ignites the downswing, and the arms naturally fall down, getting you on an inside delivery path

DRILL

Get a broken shaft or some type stick or shaft

Stick it in the ground and then take your normal setup, setup a few inches away from the shaft, when you begin your downswing bump your hips into the shaft. This will give you the FEELING of starting down with the lower body.

The problem you have plagues 90% of the golfing population

Write back with any questions , and of course your success

Jordy