Working on the down swing

Swinging the club down from the back swing is a big part of a consistent golf swing.

A bad move from the top of the back swing and the chances of a good impact position are all but gone. The good news is that this movement is learnable. A clear understanding of what is correct and you are on the right tracks. If your tendency is to slice the ball you are swinging down too much from the outside. A golfer with a hook gets the club too much from the inside or behind the golfer on the way down to the ball. The following is great drill to develop the correct swing plane on the way down.

Swing to the top of the back swing.

Swing down a short distance.

The hips should have returned to square, (as they were at the start of the swing)

The head has remained in position.

The left shoulder has moved out from under the chin.

The hands have swung the club down to chest height.

The shaft is pointing at the ball

Looking in a mirror notice that the club is below the right shoulder, above it would be outside the line.

Practice this drill by moving the club up and down two or three times and see that the club remains pointing at the ball.

Do not try this on the golf course, practice on the range and it will become second nature in no time at all!

Terry Gingell is a PGA Class A Professional and can be reached at 887-7174 for group and private golf lessons.