How To Start Your Golf Downswing
Written By
Bobby Eldridge
Founder of Online Golf Instruction
One of these days I am going to send out a survey to all golfers and it’s going to ask one question, “What starts the downswing?”
You can not believe some of the answers I have heard over the past 30 years. Today I will tell you my answer and then I will tell you why I believe it to be. The first thing you have to remember is that before you finish your back swing the golf club is already beginning to swing back towards the ball. That is a fact. I have a camera that takes 1000 fps and I have seen it on new golfers and Tour Professionals. It is really cool.
Let’s put that fact aside and talk about the question as it relates to our swing thoughts. No matter who you ask they will give you an answer. The answer might start with the feet, ankles, hips and work it’s way up to the shoulders or chest.
You either believe that it is the upper body and arms or the lower body, the hips, knees, legs, ankles or feet. Somewhere in the back of your mind you believe one or the other. Upper body or lower body.
My take on it is a little different. It has everything to do with your own golf swing. If you are someone that hits a large number of pulls and hooks, you are going to have to move the bottom half of your body first. If you hook or pull the golf ball the golf club is arriving at the bottom of the golf ball sooner than your body. Instead of slowing down your arm swing you should speed up OR start your bottom half of your body first.
On the other hand. If you are someone that hits pushes or slices, you are someone that is getting the body to active to soon in the downswing and the golf club is falling behind you. Instead of changing your body action, try speeding up your arms and hands OR start them first.
Lastly, if you are someone that hits most of your shots in front of you. STOP READING THIS ARTICLE. It is not for you. Seriously, if you are hitting the ball solid and you don’t struggle with shots to the right or left, then your timing is great.
If you stop and think about it, if the club arrives before you, your shots will start left, most of the time. If the club arrives after you, your shots will start to the right, most of the time. The next time someone asks you what starts the downswing, you can tell them-it all depends.
