Learning golf – 4 The Downswing

To start, turn to the top of your backswing and stop. Make sure you don’t overswing. Control the length of the backswing so it almost feels like a three-quarter swing.

Check points.

1. Make sure your back is facing the target.

2. Your weight should be fully on the right side.

3. The left arm must be straight.

4. The club shaft should be at a point between the right shoulder and right ear.

5. Finally, the shaft should be parallel to the target line.

Movement. The left arm must be straight at the top of the backswing. A flex in both knees will help to make a good weight transition.

Transition from the top of the backswing to the downswing. We are looking for a smooth simultaneous action, with the left hip moving laterally and rotationally, and the left arm pulling down.

The upper part of the left arm should stay close to the upper body as you drive it down to waist high.

The left hip starts the unwinding of the body and the left arm pulls the club down on the correct plane to hit your consistent shot.

Motion. The thought from the top of the backswing is “left hip, left arm�. Your back must face the target as long as you can. Pull the hands down to the waist high point and stop.

Check your position, then swing back to the top of the backswing and make your follow through to the finish.

Impact. Through impact strike down and extend your arms to the target.

Turn through to the left side with the front of the body facing to the left of the target.

Make sure you are balanced in your left side.

The right foot should have swivelled up on to the toes with the sole of the foot facing away from the
target.

Quick tip. At impact keep your eye focused on the ball, and stay looking at that area until the ball has left the clubface.

Practice. As with all our drills, we need to break them up in to practice drills, and full swings without stopping.

So do five downswing practice drills and then three full swings without stopping.

Repeat this until the downswing feels comfortable.