The golf downswing is absolutely and without doubt THE most important move in golf. What precedes it doesn’t really count. Nothing else really matters if this part of the swing is not correct. Everything else is a waste of time, if this aspect of the golf swing is not right. Everything we do before we start the downswing (the grip, the stance, alignment, takeaway, backswing) is preparation for enabling us to make the golf swing as technically proficient a golf swing as possible.
Starting the downswing with our arms/ shoulders is the number one error most golfers make. This will usually cause the dreaded “out to in” swing or more simply “swinging across the line”. The slice is the most common result of this because we have had to open the club face to allow the ball to come back towards our intended target. If this is your natural swing, you will understand how difficult the game can be, especially if playing into a head wind or left to right cross wind. The other outcome this can cause is if we do NOT open the club face to compensate. Result. A pull shot to the left.
In theory, the golf downswing should be the result of everything that has gone before it. It should start from the ground up. This sounds a bit complicated but all it simply means is that the first movement of the downswing should be made by the lower body. Coaches and swing gurus argue about this move and which part of the body moves first. The importance of not having too many swing thoughts cannot be over emphasised. It is crucial that we have only one downswing trigger thought at this stage in the swing.
Golf Tip #1 One of the best trigger motions is to push the right knee towards the left knee and put the left heel flat on the ground. These 2 movements begin the process of your hips moving forward. The hips will want to turn slightly. Permit this to happen.
Golf Tip #2 Allow your upper body to uncoil naturally in response to this trigger motion. If your lower body is moving and turning, your upper body has to also. Let it happen with as little conscious contribution from you as possible.
Golf Tip #3 It is imperative that you make sure that your shoulders, arms and hands follow exactly along the same path as you made with your backswing. If you can master this part of the downswing then you will eradicate that “out to in” swing.
Golf Tip #4 Practice this trigger motion without a ball. Rehearse that motion of moving the right knee and planting the left foot flat on the ground. Really work at getting the downswing moving along the same line as the backswing. Do it over and over again until you don’t have to think about it.
Golf Tip #5 The best tip you will ever get is “swing within yourself” Have the sense that you’re swinging at about 85% for all your shots. This will permit you time to execute the swing and it will develop better timing hugely. You will then hit the ball further and much closer to the target, more of the time.
Try and stay loose and relaxed. You cannot expect to do any physical endeavour while you are uptight. Let the swing flow. Endeavour to have as little conscious input as possible. If you have too much going on in your head, you cannot possibly expect to make a good swing.
Master this one aspect of the swing and then you can work on improving other element of the golf swing at a later date.
Of course, the golf swing has more to it than just the downswing but improving this one aspect will give your game a huge boost and then you’ll see that handicap really start to fall.