Source of Power in the downswing
by Steve
When you move the left knee over the left foot this is not enough to be able to really power the swing. So do you think about rotating the torso towards the target, pulling the left hip away, snapping the left knee etc. etc. Also, how violently should the left knee move over the left foot in the initial stages of the downswing? Thanks, Steve Louis Reply Thanks for the submission! great question! If we study an under arm throwing action of a cricketer, the batting action of a baseball player the answers for the down swing move in golf can be found. In all these actions the hips lead the throw, hit, naturally as a result of the reaction to throw the ball or hit. The golf swing is no different. The weight gets transferred before the throw and hit. Most golfers are unable to get the move correct because of what preceded the move in the back swing (too much upper body dominance destroys the move, so does a poor pivot of the hips and upper body turn). The pivoting of the hips on the back swing shifts your weight to the right side automatically and will respond correctly when the hips pivot back to the left side on the way down. This move will be automatic of whatever movement preceded it whether correct or incorrect. Forget about snapping your knee, let the move forward of the left knee in the down swing be dictated by how you pivoted in the back swing and wait for your weight to move to the left foot. If your hips do not get a good enough pivot on the back swing then there will be very little movement and power from them in the down swing. In fact they are most likely to spin out too quickly before the weight gets transferred back to the left foot. Resist this as much as you can and feel the weight transfer simultaneously with turning the hip out the way. The more your hips can face your target at impact the more power you are going to generate. Make sure of course, the right shoulders stays back and does not open too much with the hips at impact.(otherwise your swing path will cut accross the ball) Feel the shoulders are facing the ball at impact while the hips are almost facing the target. The further the hips can separate from the shoulders the better, and the more torque (twist) and power you will develop in your swing. Study Tiger's swing at impact from the down the target line and you will get a good visual of maximum power and torque in the golf swing. (I have a great photo of him) I have another very important discovery on what initiates the move down to the ball automatically but still have to do more research before I publish anything about it, in fact I am saving it for my book which I am presently writing. Working with a better pivot and weight transfer in the back swing will set your lower body up to move correctly and automatically on the down swing and help you to generate more power and club head speed. Thanks, Louis |
