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Downswing - Introduction

Start from the correct hitting position.

Keep eyes focused on the ball.

Keep head still until ball is gone.

The first quadrant down is leisurely - the wallop comes last.

Quick turning torso and shoulders generate clubhead speed.

Downswing

From the correct hitting position, there follows the all important downswing to and through the point of impact. The turn of left hip starts the uncoiling process and legs and shoulders quickly follow. Body weight is shifted to the left leg. The left arm is pulled along, leveraged by the turn of the shoulders. Clubhead speed accelerates gradually at first and peaks through impact. The downward arc is steeper than that of the backswing and is driven by the straightening out of the right elbow, close to the body.

The left heel, if it has been raised, returns to the ground. Eyes continue to focus on the ball. The right knee bends left as the hips are rotating and clearing. Finally, as the accelerating clubhead approaches impact:

• Hip and shoulder rotation has speeded up to maximum.
• The arms and clubhead are not left behind at the hitting position.
• The left arm retains dynamic stiffness.
• The right arm passes through close to the body as wrists uncock.
• The right arm does not yet roll over.

Intimately connected with the weight shift is the idea of "getting behind the ball". This elusive concept means the synchronous transfer of the momentum of body turn and weight shift into the ball. It can partially be described by the DONT'S and their results (not guaranteed).

• Fail to transfer weight; the reverse pivot with impressive slice.
• Snap the wrists to get the ball up; the scooperoo.
• Swing too fast; who knows.
• Allow the hands to get ahead of the clubhead; slice.
• Look up; a grounder.
• Hit over the top; grounder to left field.
• Allow left arm to collapse; grounder to center field.
• Turn wrist over at bottom; duck hook.
• Take eye off ball; bladed shot.
• Not behind the ball; block to the right.
• Incomplete turn back; block to the left.

A controlled downward sweep of the clubhead, bringing the clubface squarely into contact with the ball
is the goal.

Concentration

We assume that our swing down from the ready position to the ball has been reasonably correct. Now we have arrived at the most sensitive part of the swing, contact with the ball. Here is where planning and execution meet.
We have likely planned a number of adjustments to our basic swing in accordance with prevailing conditions.

Concentration is essential in order to incorporate these adjusments and still strike the ball solidly. This is difficult because the swing now won't be in the groove developed on the practice range.. The payoff comes when one is able at this stage of the swing, to concentrate on execution without being distracted in any way. It is quite normal as well as fatal to make an impulsive mid-swing change

Impact

At impact, the moment of maximum clubhead acceleration, the club face must be square, as it was at address The hips have rotated well beyond the address position, allowing free rotation of trunk and shoulders.. The left leg is solidly planted and supports most of the body weight. The right shoulder is powering under the chin. The right heel has risen.

Both eyes should be concentrated on the ball with objective of making contact cleanly with the squared clubface.

The left arm is straight and tensed and must not have collapsed. The right arm adds power. The wrists are torquing the shaft past the point of impact. Further, the left wrist is bowed slightly at contact to keep the clubhead on the ball as long as possible.

The head keeps still but slight lateral or downward adjustment is permissible.

For middle and short irons, it is best to de-loft the clubface slightly just before impact i.e. cover the ball. This is part of swinging slightly down and then through. The right palm is initially inclined downward and this allows the shaft of the club to stays vertical well past point of impact.

For the long irons, play the shot with your normal tempo, sweeping down and through the ball. As the hands get back to the address position they should be pass close to the body. The loft of the clubhead will get the ball in the air.

Downswing - Summary

• The turn of legs and hips starts the downswing.
• Rotation of shoulder pulls left arm along.
• Weight is transferred to left leg.
• Clubhead accelerates downwards, releasing torsion in wrists.
• As the right elbow straightens, it is kept close to the body.
• Right hand adds power.
• Execute the shot plan without being distracted.
• Hit the ball cleanly with the middle of the squared clubface.
• Club head speed is maintained beyond impact.