Learning the proper timing and how to start the downswing is one of the most important aspects of your golf swing.
To be the best golfer you can be, you need to consider every aspect that makes an individual a professional. There are a number of things to consider, starting with swing, motion, impact, the takeaway, among others.
However, there is no perfect shot without a downswing. Golfers need to consider this as one of the most critical parts of the swing. The way you power up your downswing will determine the power your club will impact on the golf ball — perfect downswing equals perfect carry distance.
About Downswing
In summary, the downswing is a motion that occurs after a golfer reaches the top swing position. The downswing consists of all movements occurring from lowering the club. Down swinging is known to end with the ultimate impact from the club to the ball.
Therefore, the downswing is an important aspect to every golfer. The better it is performed, the better the results. It is initiated once the golfer completes their backswing. A lower body downswing is where you rotate your left hip splinting towards the left foot.
The mode to which you transition to downswing from your backswing is crucial since it generates power. The transition generally determines if you are going to deliver the club softly on the impact, or you will be fighting hard to save the shot.
How Do You Initiate a Master Move?
The downswing is a master move, a real determinant of how well you are going to impact the golf ball with the club. Depending on your body size, type, and shot tendencies, there are several ways to initiate the downswing. Here are some of them.
Positioning
This entirely involves how you position your body parts. For instance, you have to focus on what you intend to do. Spot your target and get ready to achieve the goal you have set for yourself. This includes how you plant your feet on the ground; stamping your front heel back to the ground brings about a sequence of motion engaging the upper body.
You do this by spotting the target and repositioning your heel straight back to the same position. You have to make sure that you will not slide towards your target once the heel hits the ground.
By extending your back knee, you allow your hips to turn, thus creating a position where your left arm can freely move across your chest. Form a letter “L” with your body with your front arm parallel to the ground.
Initiating the Downswing
This is the most crucial part of the downswing. It is the stage that determines how your downswing will be and the process contains several key steps.
- Set your rear foot to help you maintain your position in relation to the tee. The distance between your legs to that of your shoulder width should be comparable. This sets you up for the body swing. Your front foot should not leave its position until you have fully followed through on the swing.
- Shoot up your front hip as you initiate the downswing. Your front hip should feel as if it’s rotating towards your foot. This allows you to channel more power from your hips and a little less from your back.
- Bend your elbows to bring the club close to your body to start the downswing; turn both of your shoulders to transfer the momentum then swing the golf club towards the ball. Follow through by rotating your shoulders.
How to Strike the Ball
In this stage, you will lower the club shaft toward the ball before you swing its head downwards. Do it as slightly as possible. This will help you hit the ball with precision and enough strength.
You need to face the ball to maintain your focus; focus helps you maximize the control and the aim as you prepare to strike the ball.
Now it’s striking time. Do this with all the effort you can gather. Strike the ball with the club head. The club itself should be at a lower angle towards the ground. Using an aggressive angle to strike the ball builds tremendous power toward the ball from your shoulders all the way to your hips.
You can repeat this process a number of times to measure how well your downswing is.
What Not to Do
In this subsection, you get to discover where you are going wrong. You have already noted how to initiate the downswing, but there are several things that you need to avoid to achieve a perfect downswing.
Avoid Turning From the Top
You don’t swap your hips around when initiating the downswing. Once you do this, you spin open your left side and both the arms and the club are thrown away from the body. This guarantees fallout.
Do Not Swing Back Slowly
You should maintain a perfect swing to attain the longest distance the golf ball can carry. A slow swing back causes an abrupt speed change. In short, be deliberate.
Don’t Lose Focus
Getting restless may make you lose your entire body concentration. Once you are distracted, you will not position your body well, nor will you gain enough momentum to impact the ball by the club.
Bend Your Wrists and Not Your Elbows
Bending the elbows is the first mistake that most golfers make. You are supposed to bend your wrist to enable the club to curve over your body.
In Conclusion
To sum it up, you need to follow each step to attain the best downswing results. You have to start by completing a backswing then initiating the downswing, which is achieved once you rotate your left hip and shifting towards your left foot to initiate the hit.
It is, therefore, the complete transition to the downswing from your backswing is a crucial step to generate power and accuracy. A good player will hit the ball hard using their right hand, making sure that the swing is led by the left hand. This highly controls the right hand’s power.
