Improve Your Downswing

Mark Oswald
General Manager
The Highlands at Dove Mountain in Marana, AZ.
Marana, AZ
oswaldpga@gmail.com

More Information

The Downswing, is the most critical part of the golf swing. This is where the most costly mistakes are made. Here are four tips to help your downswing.

Start the club down with the lower body. Begin the downswing with the lower right side of the body. The hips, knee and right foot are all working together to begin pushing your weight towards the left foot. Try keying on the hip turn, or right knee to left knee or pushing off your right foot, one key at a time and find the key most effective for shifting your weight to the front foot. This driving motion with the lower body will begin dropping the club down towards the ball keeping it in the right position.

Maintain the “L” position. At the top of the backswing, your club and left arm are making an L. As you begin the downswing with your lower body you are able to maintain this L and drop the club down into the hitting area. Only after passing your waist should this L angle begin to release. Your club and the arms will be fully released into a straight line at impact.

Continue shifting & turning. Continue with the weight shift going towards the left side. Turn your left side out of the way. This will allow you to shift fully onto your left side and complete the turn facing your target.

Hold and check your finish position.

Hold the finish of your swing and check for these things: Weight fully on the left foot, right heel off the ground, chest and hips facing target, and you are in good balance.

Mark Oswald is a PGA Professional and General Manager at the Oro Valley Country Club in Oro Valley, Arizona. For more information, contact Mark via email moswald@orovalleycountryclub.com or visit www.acceleratedgolfacademy.com.