Paul, I’ve spent a golfing lifetime confused about when to start the downswing. Your simple explanation of feeling the stretch in the lat muscle before turning into the touch the legs position is very clear. Why have I never read this before in all the golf magazines? It’s incredible. Thanks for clearing up the confusion and providing a 2 step explanation of the downswing. First feel the stretch, then touch the left knee with the right. Even zi can remember that much!
Paul,
I agree with Ron. So logical. So basic, but as you said in the video, if you asked me when to start my downswing, I could not have told you.
Now I can!
Thanks, you’re still the best,
Rick
I don’t experience that tight feeling in the lat muscles. But I do struggle with this very issue, when to start down. Recently, I have used the left shoulder under my chin as a trigger. What are your thoughts about that as a trigger?
Paul, just a great tip. My issue is trying to turn fast and hit the ball hard. I have been a “power hitter” all my life and it is not easy to give up that power mode swing. I am doing better in the back yard and driving range but continue to want to “smack” it on the course. I do make some great shot when I can convince myself to swing at 3/4 speed. I know when I do it right by the sound of the ball leaving the club. It’s difficult getting that mind set of swing smooth and easy and believing that the ball will go as far as it does. The “brain” Paul, retraining it is not easy but the more I practice and play the better I get. It is a matter of convincing my brain of the new swing and practicing, practicing and practicing!
All you have to do it ask yourself these questions:
– how is hitting real hard working out for you?
– do you hit is longer than I do?
– does your body hurt when you swing?
– do you get tired when you play?
– how long do you think you can hit that hard for?
If you can’t answer any of these questions in your favor you should be able to convince yourself that there’s no benefit to swinging that hard.
So you have seen yourself swing with less effort and hit the ball well. Just realize you are not good at it yet but you have seen that you can do it and it is coming in the future if you keep working on it.
So here is another way you can get it. You can use your arms and your legs. This is what I did for many years. Then I just turned the arms off and had tons of power. This means you focus on driving the legs and hips way harder with precise positioning meaning load on right instep with a flexed back knee. The ending up in the follow through with a locked lead leg and back leg perfectly touching. Keep doing that. Get good at it then turn off the arms.
Or:
You can turn your arms off. Swing really easy. Once you stop hitting you speed up the legs and hips to gain more power.
The choice is yours but you really can do it. Once you do you will build a powerful, effortless swing.
Hi Paul,
Your tip “Pros Know Its A Tight Coil” was one of the best tips ever, and this tip is a good continuation of it. i totally agree it helps save your back. My arms feel looser and freer as well so the club through faster. i have two questions:
1) Until this tip i have been waiting until my wrists finished hinging at the top of the swing before starting down. Is that right or wrong?
2) Are your knees together and your whole body facing the target as you are hitting the ball, or is that where they are supposed to finish in the follow through only? i have assumed it is the latter, because when i try to hit with my knees already together all sorts of bad things occur.
thanks,
ter
1. The wrists would hinge if they were loose even if you were thinking about coiling. Surely, by now you are hinging fully at the top.
2. At impact, your hips would be approx 45 degrees open. The lead leg would be locking (not locked). The back leg would be coming around to meet the other leg.
Hi Paul
I came to your golf school in 2012 and have been a member of Ignotion Golf from the start. You have taken my game to a level that was unimaginable to me. Almost every time I play I get these comments ‘great swing’, ‘your swing looks effortless’ etc etc. You are the best teacher out there and I would encourage all your students to stick with the program – IT WORKS. It took me a good three years to really understand and completely trust your teaching. But now that I get, I am enjoying the game like never before. I don’t always score well but I am really enjoying the game and the swing compliments. Still need to work on it everyday but loving the results. Thanks for your passion and your desire to continue to make us better golfers.
Mark K
That’s great news. I keep telling everyone people will come up to you and ask “where did you get that swing?” if you do the positions. You are proof this will happen.
Thank you for the kind words about my teaching. I just see so many people out there struggling and unfortunately they don’t know what to do to develop a great swing. I went through this myself many years ago and it is not fun. I get true pleasure in helping people. This is what it’s all about for me.
Glad you are doing well and it’s great to hear from you.
Paul, A few weeks ago , on the phone, I told you I was playing golf courses on the right side {i.e”.pushing” } almost all shots. Basically, You suggested I try letting the toe of my irons cross over the heel at impact. That worked great with my irons and hybrids, but I am “duck hooking” my driver and fairway woods.Any suggestions? You always seem to have great fixes. Bob Blinn Westerly, R.I.
Yes, this would be the roll over drill. Not roll over when you play otherwise you will hook it which can be just as bad. So you have the roll over mastered. Now it’s time to stop thinking about it. What you should be thinking of is turning your body first (legs and hips) as you start down. If they more first before the club you will hit it dead straight. Did you not see the tons of roll over tips I have done?
One question about you did mention that you start going down when you feel the pressure on the instep of the back foot. Does it happen when you feel the tightness of your left lat?
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14 Responses to “When To Start Down”
May 13, 2016
RonCalabresePaul, I’ve spent a golfing lifetime confused about when to start the downswing. Your simple explanation of feeling the stretch in the lat muscle before turning into the touch the legs position is very clear. Why have I never read this before in all the golf magazines? It’s incredible. Thanks for clearing up the confusion and providing a 2 step explanation of the downswing. First feel the stretch, then touch the left knee with the right. Even zi can remember that much!
Ron
May 13, 2016
RickZechPaul,
I agree with Ron. So logical. So basic, but as you said in the video, if you asked me when to start my downswing, I could not have told you.
Now I can!
Thanks, you’re still the best,
Rick
May 13, 2016
Bill FreemanHi Paul,
I don’t experience that tight feeling in the lat muscles. But I do struggle with this very issue, when to start down. Recently, I have used the left shoulder under my chin as a trigger. What are your thoughts about that as a trigger?
Bill
May 13, 2016
JohnC. DawesPaul, just a great tip. My issue is trying to turn fast and hit the ball hard. I have been a “power hitter” all my life and it is not easy to give up that power mode swing. I am doing better in the back yard and driving range but continue to want to “smack” it on the course. I do make some great shot when I can convince myself to swing at 3/4 speed. I know when I do it right by the sound of the ball leaving the club. It’s difficult getting that mind set of swing smooth and easy and believing that the ball will go as far as it does. The “brain” Paul, retraining it is not easy but the more I practice and play the better I get. It is a matter of convincing my brain of the new swing and practicing, practicing and practicing!
I watch all your tips and read all comments.
Jack Dawes
May 13, 2016
Paul WilsonJohn,
All you have to do it ask yourself these questions:
– how is hitting real hard working out for you?
– do you hit is longer than I do?
– does your body hurt when you swing?
– do you get tired when you play?
– how long do you think you can hit that hard for?
If you can’t answer any of these questions in your favor you should be able to convince yourself that there’s no benefit to swinging that hard.
So you have seen yourself swing with less effort and hit the ball well. Just realize you are not good at it yet but you have seen that you can do it and it is coming in the future if you keep working on it.
So here is another way you can get it. You can use your arms and your legs. This is what I did for many years. Then I just turned the arms off and had tons of power. This means you focus on driving the legs and hips way harder with precise positioning meaning load on right instep with a flexed back knee. The ending up in the follow through with a locked lead leg and back leg perfectly touching. Keep doing that. Get good at it then turn off the arms.
Or:
You can turn your arms off. Swing really easy. Once you stop hitting you speed up the legs and hips to gain more power.
The choice is yours but you really can do it. Once you do you will build a powerful, effortless swing.
May 13, 2016
terrybadgerHi Paul,
Your tip “Pros Know Its A Tight Coil” was one of the best tips ever, and this tip is a good continuation of it. i totally agree it helps save your back. My arms feel looser and freer as well so the club through faster. i have two questions:
1) Until this tip i have been waiting until my wrists finished hinging at the top of the swing before starting down. Is that right or wrong?
2) Are your knees together and your whole body facing the target as you are hitting the ball, or is that where they are supposed to finish in the follow through only? i have assumed it is the latter, because when i try to hit with my knees already together all sorts of bad things occur.
thanks,
ter
May 13, 2016
Paul WilsonTerry,
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
1. The wrists would hinge if they were loose even if you were thinking about coiling. Surely, by now you are hinging fully at the top.
2. At impact, your hips would be approx 45 degrees open. The lead leg would be locking (not locked). The back leg would be coming around to meet the other leg.
Watch:
Checkpoints – Impact https://ignitiongolf.com/checkpoints-impact/
May 14, 2016
MARKKEISEHi Paul
I came to your golf school in 2012 and have been a member of Ignotion Golf from the start. You have taken my game to a level that was unimaginable to me. Almost every time I play I get these comments ‘great swing’, ‘your swing looks effortless’ etc etc. You are the best teacher out there and I would encourage all your students to stick with the program – IT WORKS. It took me a good three years to really understand and completely trust your teaching. But now that I get, I am enjoying the game like never before. I don’t always score well but I am really enjoying the game and the swing compliments. Still need to work on it everyday but loving the results. Thanks for your passion and your desire to continue to make us better golfers.
Mark K
May 15, 2016
Paul WilsonMark,
That’s great news. I keep telling everyone people will come up to you and ask “where did you get that swing?” if you do the positions. You are proof this will happen.
Thank you for the kind words about my teaching. I just see so many people out there struggling and unfortunately they don’t know what to do to develop a great swing. I went through this myself many years ago and it is not fun. I get true pleasure in helping people. This is what it’s all about for me.
Glad you are doing well and it’s great to hear from you.
May 14, 2016
JosephVargasPaul, This tip was so simple yet completely resonated with me . It really helped.
Thanks for your help.
May 15, 2016
Paul WilsonJoseph,
That’s great. Glad you liked it.
June 25, 2016
robertblinnPaul, A few weeks ago , on the phone, I told you I was playing golf courses on the right side {i.e”.pushing” } almost all shots. Basically, You suggested I try letting the toe of my irons cross over the heel at impact. That worked great with my irons and hybrids, but I am “duck hooking” my driver and fairway woods.Any suggestions? You always seem to have great fixes. Bob Blinn Westerly, R.I.
June 26, 2016
Paul WilsonRobert,
Yes, this would be the roll over drill. Not roll over when you play otherwise you will hook it which can be just as bad. So you have the roll over mastered. Now it’s time to stop thinking about it. What you should be thinking of is turning your body first (legs and hips) as you start down. If they more first before the club you will hit it dead straight. Did you not see the tons of roll over tips I have done?
Watch:
After The Roll Over Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/after-the-roll-over/
And:
2 Things Flatten the Plane: https://ignitiongolf.com/2-things-flatten-plane/
This is where you were:
Driving Hips Harder But Hook It First: https://ignitiongolf.com/driving-hips-hook-first/
November 13, 2022
LennyPaul,
One question about you did mention that you start going down when you feel the pressure on the instep of the back foot. Does it happen when you feel the tightness of your left lat?
Thanks