How do you start your downswing?

[warbirdlover]

Okay, it's getting really boring in here so another "warbirdlover" boring poll!! Tell us who taught you this and why it works (or why it doesn't) for you. I've been starting with a arm movement and trying to time it with my hips all these years because a college golfer taught me that (old school). Well a couple weeks ago JEFF4i suggested starting with my knees and I really like that. So I start with my knees (or learning to). Bring it on!!

 

[Youngun5]

i mentioned this in my improvement thread...

once i get to the top, after my momentary pause

i start with a slight rotation/releasing of the hips, which starts the knees toward the target, begins getting the left hip/leg out of the way, dropping the club down into the slot, another thing this does is it allows me to keep the weight shift from getting out of control and i can finish the swing balanced and in control.

just kept reading it in either of the golf magazines i read and decided it was the way to go.

 

[bames]

The guy I caddied for taught me to start from the ground up. I beleive that this is what I needed to hear at that particular time, but what I have noticed is that some golfers already do certain things subconciously and to bring something like that up can cause more harm than good. I love to watch people and all of their different swings (with the exception of Charles Barkley). Good poll WBL.

 

[sidvicious]

i slow my apex, both climax and release into the downwing[GOLF porn].

i start with the hips to move the shoulders. both are tightly integrated. [more golf porn].

for me, it is smooth and repeatable.

sometimes i am ass [MORE golf porn].

 

[daddymack]

I start with my arms first. I was/am pushing the ball so it helps me square the club. A teacher taught me that.

 

[Loop]

I used to start it from the ground up, but:
1. Hips were so active I would hit it anywhere.
2. If I started the ds before finishing my bs, I would get in all sorts of problems.

So I'm starting a little more with the hands and get better sync

 

[Davebud]

shoulders and knees start at the same time.

 

[dave.]

Hips knees same time,followed by shoulders,arms then hands last.Very little transtional move for me,certainly nothing concious,my only thought is to keep turning.................its all in the body.

 

[DouginGA]

i start mine with a prayer for straight and long.

 

[Eracer]

I start my downswing with a lateral and outsward thrusting of the arms. I unconsciously push my right palm down and at the ball, my left elbow thrusting down the target line.

Some people call this "casting", or an "over-the-top" move. There is also the element of "chicken-wing" (mmm, wings...).

Seriously though, I don't consciously try to "start" my downswing. Every time I've tried to incorporate the "hip bump", or "knee kick" or any other "magic downswing move" it just screws me up. My best swings (which can be very good) come from a downswing that is a reaction to the transition at the top. I feel the clubhead reaching the end of it's travel at the end of my coil, and I just unwind, smoothly and without excess motion. It's like a "one-piece" takeaway, except that it's a "one-piece" downswing.

 

[Adam Pettman]

None of the above i dont start my backswong conciously it just happens.

 

[goatster]

i voted for other cause i dont know.thats just one more thing fpr my tiny brain to get cluttered with.

 

[Farquod]

Reweight the left foot. Just like Nicklaus.

 

[Bravo]

I believe in 'ground up'....knees start it and hips follow. Then come the arms and the hands follow along last...

Ultimately, the hips are the source of power. I don't know this from my own swing but by watching a friend who I have played with for 25 years.

He's 5'6" and weighs about 165 and can slaughter a golf ball.

His movement of his hips through the ball is massive. He has stocky legs and drives his body forward through it...

I am 6' tall and weigh 210. Long, long ago I stopped trying to keep up with him. Its no use....my very best drives might get even with his but if he really went to his highest gear, he would consistently blow it by me....

Little whippersnapper>>>

 

[JEFF4i]

Hey YG, what magazine did you read to start with your hip in? First off, I've never seen it and I have subs to GolfDigest and Magazine. Also, I know for sure on Golf Channel someone called in asking about a problem with their hook and they said one of the leading causes is starting your swing with your hips, not your knees.

So needless to say, I start with the knees.

**PS**Sorry if I came off irritable, I wasn't, just a little suprised.