Mastering the Downswing: The Key to Power and Consistency

For those who like to work with checkpoints and clear instructions, hereʼs how to sequence your downswing correctly.

Step 1: Shift First, Then Turn

• From the top of the backswing, initiate the downswing by shifting your weight slightly left (for right-handers) before you start turning.

• Think of a slight bump of your left hip toward the target before you unwind.

Step 2: Keep the Club in the Slot

• As you shift, keep the club on plane rather than throwing your hands at the ball.

• The club should feel like itʼs dropping from the inside, not casting over the top.

Step 3: Rotate and Unleash the Power

• After shifting, rotate your hips and torso through the shot, pulling your arms down naturally.

• The lead hip clears while the hands deliver the club square to the ball.

Step 4: Maintain Posture & Strike the Ball

• Keep your spine angle stable and avoid standing up early.

• Strike ball first, ground second—this is what creates pure iron shots.

Drills to Improve Your Downswing:

• Pause Drill - Hold the backswing for a second, then focus on shifting first.

• Slow Motion Drill - Feel the sequence in slow swings before speeding up.

• Alignment Stick Drill - Place a stick outside your ball and swing inside the stick to fix over-the-top moves.

If you struggle with mechanical thoughts, the downswing should feel natural, smooth, and athletic. Instead of thinking about individual body parts, the key is to feel the movement flow together—like throwing a ball, pulling a rope, or cracking a whip. The instructors in these videos use powerful analogies and drills to help develop a downswing that feels effortless and repeatable.

The Basketball Pass Drill (Using Your Lower Body First)

From "Golf Swing Made Simple! | Me and My Golf"

• Imagine throwing a chest pass in basketball—your legs push first, then your core turns, and finally, your arms release.

• Your downswing starts the same way: the legs shift, the torso rotates, and the arms follow, creating a fluid, powerful motion.

• If you start with your hands first, like many beginners do, you lose power and sequence.

Drill: Stand in golf posture and practice throwing an imaginary basketball at the ground in front of you. Feel how the lower body starts the motion before the hands release.

The Whip Effect (Creating Lag and Speed)

From "Golf Downswing - How to Stop Rushing Your Downswing Drills"

• Think of a whip cracking—the handle moves first, then the tip follows, accelerating at the last moment.

• Your golf club should move the same way: The lower body initiates the downswing, the torso follows, then the arms, and finally the club releases at the ball.

• If you throw your hands at the ball too early, you lose the snap, resulting in weak, inconsistent shots.

Drill: Hold your club upside down and make swings, listening for a whoosh at the bottom. If the sound happens too early, you're casting the club; if it happens at the bottom, youʼre creating lag.

The Tug-of-War Drill (Pulling Instead of Pushing)

From "Golf Downswing - How to Stop Rushing Your Downswing Drills"

• Imagine playing tug-of-war—to pull strongly, you engage your legs first, then your torso, and finally, your arms.

• Most golfers push the club from the top, leading to weak contact. The correct sequence starts from the ground up.

• This drill helps prevent early extension and ensures that the club stays in the right path.

Drill: Take slow-motion swings focusing on pulling the club down rather than pushing it from the top. A great way to reinforce this feeling is using a weighted club or training aid like the Orange Whip.

The Tick-Tock Drill (Finding Downswing Rhythm)

From "BEGINNER SERIES 004: Small Swings | Golf with Aimee"

• Instead of thinking about positions, imagine your swing as a pendulum—a smooth tick-tock motion.

• Many golfers rush the downswing, but a good downswing should feel like the second half of a pendulum swing, accelerating naturally through impact.

• This method keeps the hands quiet and allows the body to control the motion.

Drill: Make hip-high to hip-high mini swings, focusing on even rhythm rather than hitting the ball hard. This helps engrain a controlled, repeatable motion.