subject: What Is Down Golf Swing? [print this page] What Is Down Golf Swing? What Is Down Golf Swing?
The down golf swing is the most crucial yet the least understood golf shots. It is the body mechanics and the right posture that fetches you a perfect downswing. A proper alignment of your body, backswing and grip creates the shot.
Shift, rotate and hit are the three phases of downswing that are conducted in continuous motion. The action starts with a shift in the lower body, followed by a backbend of the upper part of the body. Proper execution of the two actions will lead you to an exact shot.
Trying to swing the ball with your upper body is the most common mistake committed by amateurs. Downswing is all about achieving the right balance while holding a backswing and the swing shot. Most beginners use too much force to get the swing which throws off the balance and causes a weight shift, creating unnecessary power in your swing resulting in dislocation. So always remember to shift your body weight upwards.
Some guidelines that may help you achieve the accurate swing with practice.
Position your feet to be shoulder wide apart and shift the body weight to the inside of the back foot, so much so that the heel of the front foot is just above the ground.
The first move is to reposition the heels while making the backswing. Both the knees move parallel to the right of the ball and hips make a forward movement without moving the upper part of the body simultaneously. This is known as the shift.
When the lower body shifts, take the club to the top of your backswing and just when the shift completes, take control of the club and prepare to hit the ball.
The weight transfer of your lower body towards the target makes the right shoulder drop. Relaxing the shoulder and the subsequent hip movement gives more strength to the club for an efficient swing.
This is when you should rotate your hips towards the ball. A fast movement generates more power. Your shoulders must remain closer than your hips while hitting the ball.
Some tips to gain control on your actions are:
Practice not to shift your weight on your arms as they act passively in down swing. It is the right grip, pressure in the grip and the alignment of your upper and lower body that yields an accurate swing. The head should move laterally and not vertically. Watch out for the head should not move in front of the ball.
Pause for a moment when you reach the highest point in your backswing and start down in slow motion. Try moving your entire body weight to your front foot while keeping your head back.
Mastering an appropriate down golf swing might need lot of practice and loads of efforts. If you cannot learn the tactics on your own, consulting a local golf professional or a coach is a good way to improve your swing shots.
