This
part of the swing is a combination of arm swing, hip turn and leg
action. Things happen so quickly now that you cannot possibly stop
it, let alone notice it. If you have set yourself correctly at the
top and have maintained your balance, then things should go very
well here.
This is not the time to decide where you will strike the ball. That
should have been decided before you started the take away. You should
still be focused on the exact spot on the ball you will make contact
with as you swing the club through that spot. You should stay focused
on that spot until well after the ball has gone. Do not underestimate
the importance of this simple statement. You MUST be looking at
the spot ON the ball. Don't look AT the ball, or in the area OF
the ball, but at an EXACT spot on the ball. I use the number or
letter in the name to focus on. If I can't see one, I will use a
feature or mark or a blade of grass leaning on the ball. I try to
use the lower quadrant below its equator as my reference point.
As I mentioned before, the wrists will be in the cocked position
as the arms start down. I will emphasize the word ARMS. The arms
act as an agent of the turning of the hips. If you turn your hips
and try to leave the arms where they were, you will have a difficult
time of it. Try it. You will see the effect I mean. In order to
turn the hips quickly enough to pull the arms across the chest,
you must use your legs. The legs will also react to a strong hip
turn. But strangely enough, the legs will be ahead of the hip turn.
You don't even need to think about it, really. Your mind knows,
that if you turn the hips quickly, the legs need to be in front
of the turn. Otherwise, you will hurt something. Your mind already
knows this. Keep your knees flexible and trust it.
The down swing begins slowly and picks up speed with the turning
of the hips. The weight starts to move over to your left side as
the arms come down a little. When your hips return to the start
position, your weight will be over both feet equally. Your hands
will still be pretty high at this point. Maybe as high as your right
shoulder. As you continue the swing, the weight will be more to
the left just before impact. Your hands will be cocked, in front
of your right hip. You are almost at impact now.
Your left arm should be straight all the way down. Think about a
catapult for a moment. You pull the catapult arm down and it bends
to "load" up. When you release it, the tip lags behind
as the arm starts up. As the spring unwinds,the arm picks up speed
until it slams into the stop. The tip keeps going and propels the
rock with a whipping action to the target. Your left arm is similar
to that catapult arm. The clubhead is the tip and lags behind until
the last instance. The centifugal force generated by your turning
hips, pulls your arm toward the ball. The ball just gets in the
way of the whipping clubhead as you make contact.
At this point in the swing, no power on earth can stop the arms.
The only thing left, is impact and follow through. If you think
about following through before you start down, impact will be sweet. |