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Power Tips for the Golf Down Swing

The Wall Drill: Make a Great Golf Down Swing Move

This is a continuation from the April Tip of the Month. If you didn’t see it, please check it out by clicking here before moving on to this month’s tip.

Last month we used the wall to set up our back swing. We are now going to use that position and the wall to help us make a better move back down to the golf ball. It is very important to use the right sequence when starting our move to hit the golf ball. You want to start from the ground up. This means the feet move first, followed by the knees, hips and then the upper body and arms. This is the sequence we need to use in order to get the club in the right position in order to hit a solid golf shot.

Use this version of the wall drill to help you get into that position.

Click here to watch the video version

The Wall Drill Part 2

The Golf Down Swing - Step 1

Start the drill with your right fist resting on your hip. This is the same start as last month. Your elbow should be touching the wall. This will give you enough room to do the drill.

The Golf Down Swing - Step 2

Make your back swing so that you hands are even on the wall about shoulder height. This is also from last month’s drill. This is important because it helps you get into a powerful position.

The Golf Down Swing - Step 3

This step is to get the feel of using your lower body to start the downswing. Leaving your hands where they are, gently start turning your hips towards your target. You only need to turn them a couple of inches to get the feel of the right sequence. You should feel a stretch in your back and that your hands want to slide down the wall. That is a great feeling because it will lead you into step #4. Your back should still be turned away from the target.

The Golf Down Swing - Step 4

Keep turning your hips towards your target and let your hands slide down the wall. Your hands should be together with only your fingertips touching the wall. Your hands should also be around waist high at this point in the downswing. This will get your hands and club into what a lot of instructors call the ‘slot’. The ‘slot’ is the most powerful and accurate place to be on the downswing. When your club is there you can be very consistent.

The Golf Down Swing - Step 5

Keep rotating your hips and allow your hands to come off the wall into the impact zone. Your hips should be almost facing the target, while your shoulders will be parallel to your target line. Your hands should be together and your left wrist should be flat. That is a great sign that you are in a great hitting position.

Just For Fun

Just for fun…start the drill again but move your shoulders first without moving your hips. Your hands should pull away from the wall very quickly. This is what causes the ‘over the top’ move that causes slices and poor contact.

If you practice this drill for 10 to 15 minutes a day, you can make a big impact on your ball striking. It will help stretch and strengthen your golf muscles as well as put you in a great position to hit it long.

Good luck with your practicing and playing. May you ‘Play Your Golf Dreams’ sooner with the help of free-golf-lessons.com.

Return to the Tip of the Month Page from The Golf Down Swing


 


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PGA Tour Winner Quick Lesson

Congratulations to Steve Stricker on his victory at the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions.

I believe the commentators said he has won 9 times in his 40s. That is amazing!I also agree with Sir Nick and Johnny Miller that his swing will be copied in the future. Technology has reduced the need for hand action in the golf swing to generate power. Watch the old videos of Bobby Jones to see how much action he created compared to that of Steve Stricker.

A great objective for any player is to eliminate any unnecessary movement. Stricker does a great job of that. His hands stay very quiet on the backswing. His wrists hardly hinge at the top of his backswing. You can see from the above video that his backswing is all shoulder turn.

His downswing starts from the hips and he simply turns everything through the golf ball at the same time. His hands and wrists release naturally without any effort. This is a great way to have a consistent rhythm through the golf ball on every shot. This swing delivers enough power to win on Tour.


European Tour Winner Quick Lesson

Congratulations to Louis Oosthuizen and his victory at the 2012 Africa Open.

Louis burst onto the scene with his dominating performance at the Open Championship. Many have predicted multiple wins for this player. His victory this past weekend is likely one of many to come.

In the video above pay really close attention to when the video ends. Take a look at his left foot. Notice how all his weight his on his left heel. This is a great sign that he has cleared his hips properly.

One of the key reasons for starting the downswing with your lower body is to clear your hips out of the way to create more room for your arms to swing through impact. It is a great indicator as to how well you cleared your hips, when almost all your weight is on your heel.

If your weight is leaning on you toes or even the middle of your foot then you have not rotated and cleared your hips enough through your downswing and past impact. You really want to feel the pressure of your weight on your heel like Oosthuizen.

Make sure you start your downswing with your lower body. At the top of your backswing; either pull your left knee or your left hip (right handed player) towards the target. Also make sure your hips keep rotating through impact and into your finish position with your weight on the heel.