Start Golf Downswing with Legs, Hips, Swing Tips
Turn Left Hip and Drive Right Leg on Downswing to Keep Club Inside
Sep 14, 2009
Many golfers believe that the back swing is the most important part of the swing. But even with a good back swing, where the club is on line, in plane, and on the right swing path, without a good transition move to start the downswing it is still easy to hit the ball off line. If the shoulders start the downswing, the club is pulled off the correct downswing line resulting in a glancing blow onto the ball and wayward shots.
How to Start the Downswing Correctly
- On the back swing the hips should initially turn and then resist as the top of the back swing is reached. This resistance with the legs and hips, where weight is maintained on the inside of the right foot, is vital for a good start to the downswing. If weight transfers onto the outside of the right foot and the right leg collapses it is almost impossible to start the downswing with the correct move.
- To maintain a dynamic spring like leg position ready to turn and drive the hips forward, try putting a golf ball under the outside of your right foot at address and keeping it there as you turn. This should keep weight on the inside of the right foot as you reach the top of the back swing. Having the weight in this position enables a golfer to drive onto the ball correctly to hit solid iron and wood shots.
- With the legs resisting at the top of the back swing the start of the downswing must be made by turning the left hip out of the way with the right leg closely supporting and driving at the target.
- Some golfers feel as though the right leg is moving into a position where it could almost kick the golf ball at the target. With the hips and legs leading, the shoulders become passive and the club is allowed to move down in plane and on an inside swing path.
- In a perfect world the hips would automatically release and turn under the spring like tension of the backswing, but under normal circumstances a golfer has to make a conscious effort to drive the legs and hips.
- One of the best ways to understand the sequence of moves is to watch the transition in slow motion on television and practice it slowly without a club. Nearly every golf programme shows slow motion swings and they are invaluable at demonstrating golfswing technique and positions.
While a golfer is struggling to make the correct transition move by turning the hips and driving the legs it is worth remembering that a good finish position to the swing will help. If a golfer can improve the finish of the swing, where the right foot is in the correct vertical position turned away from the target, it will help the overall downswing keep in plane and the club on the right inside swing path.
See Also: Drills for a Slow Motion Swing Takeway or Swing Drill for a Perfect Golf Swing
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