When it comes to the swing, my golf instruction hinges on a simple idea: the swing is a chain reaction. What happens at the beginning of the swing affects what happens at the end. If you get your swing and back swing right, you'll hit the ball with precision and power. If you don't, you will hit the ball off-line and with little power.
The right takeaway is essential to a good swing. Like the catalyst in a chain reaction, the takeaway booth sets everything in motion, as I point out in my golf tips. It introduces width and coordination in the swing and determines the quality and shape of the stroke. In fact, many experts consider the first 30 inches of carry to be the most important point in the swing.
A one-piece movement starts with itself. To do this, sweep the club back low and slowly while the left knee, hip and shoulder rotate to the right. Shift your weight slightly to your right leg (for right-handed people), making it feel like an "all-arm" movement. And keep your chin up as you take the club away to allow for full rotation of the left shoulder.
Here, some golf instructions differ in the position of the left heel. There are no hard and fast rules stating that it should remain planted during removal. You can pick it up if you have to. I recommend in your golf lessons that you keep it planted as long as you can to create resistance in your swing. However, if your heel needs to come up to complete the body turn, then by all means do. It all depends on how flexible you are.
Also, keep your wrist passive until the club reaches the height of your right hip. At this point, extend the forearm until you complete the turn of the body and create a right angle between the shaft and the left forearm.
This is a good checkpoint. If your wrist is at a 90-degree angle and the stick is level, your takeout was fine.
Continue rotating your arms and body until you are at the top of the swing or in the slot. Your weight is on your right leg and the club is as close to horizontal as possible. Both thumbs are under the shaft.
Next comes the key transition point that I really focus on in my golf lessons. It needs to be smooth and unhurried, so don't rush it. Doing so will make your swing too narrow.
Many tour players and low handicap golfers are employing Harvey "Magic Move" at the moment. It is ideal for the beginning of the downswing. And it's simple.
At the beginning of the swing, gradually shift your weight to the left side while bringing your right arm closer to your body. And it is done. It's a subtle but highly effective move.
The Magic Move slightly flattens the swing plane and brings it into an ideal position from which to swing the club to the optimal path and deliver the club head to the ball with power.
The rest of the downswing is basically a reaction to what came before. Maintain a 90-degree angle between your left forearm and club for as long as you can. Maintain flex in your knees and space between them as the club descends. And gradually settle the weight on the left side of the body. Finally, make sure you keep your body behind the ball at impact.
At this point, if you have executed the carry and downswing correctly, you will return to the same position you took at the start of your swing. The rest of the swing should follow naturally.
A good exercise to do when you can't get to the driving range is tire practice. It's something I sometimes use in my golf lessons.
Take an old tire and line it up where the ball should be in your swing. Then take the club and take the normal setting. Take a drive and downswing, hitting the tire instead of the ball. If you want, replace the tire with a golf bag. Practice this exercise as often as you can. It helps to perfect the takeout stand and reverse.
Your swing, as I said at the beginning of this golf tip, is like a chain reaction. What happens at the beginning affects what happens at the end. Practice the sequence detailed here, including Harvey Magic Move, and you're well on your way to creating a consistent, error-free swing.
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