Many golfers kick off their downswing by tearing their hips and shoulders at the same time. If you haven’t played junior golf, there’s a good chance some part of this move is present in your golf swing. However, there’s one crucial move in the backswing that’s often holding amateur golfers back from achieving that perfect downswing and transition.
Let’s dive into what Padraig Harrington has to say about this simple yet essential position in the backswing. He emphasizes the importance of having your knee above your ankle, which is the most powerful position you can achieve. We certainly don’t want that knee out here; having it bent too much is a big mistake. Instead, we want our knee relaxed, with pressure concentrated in our glute and internal rotator.
When you look down the line, you should see that your knee is over your ankle—that’s a definite improvement! Straightening your leg isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as your overall function remains intact. Ideally, you should have a slight flex in your knee, and it’s crucial to gain some height in your hip during the turn. If we start with our hips level, when we turn, we should aim for one hip to be higher than the other.
This pelvic tilt is vital when making your backswing. If you find yourself thrusting your hips forward, it could be detrimental to your game, especially for older players. The key here is to create pressure on your left side without flattening your hips. If you’re already high with your hip, transitioning your weight to your left side becomes much easier.
According to PGA averages, this transition usually occurs between 10 to 4. It’s a critical area of the swing that you need to get right if you want to create the downswing you desire. To help with this, you can measure your progress using the SwingSlapp app available in the App Store—there’s even a free trial!
Now, let’s talk about a drill that sets off a chain reaction. Place your hands on the outsides of your thighs and draw the right side up while the left side moves under. This technique keeps your eyes over the ball, centers you, and helps the left shoulder move down. Once you’ve got this down, we can explore the downswing, which makes everything feel much easier.
Jack Nicklaus, the player with the most majors in golf history, had a unique approach. Every winter, when he returned to his coach, the first thing they worked on was rolling his feet in and out. This rolling motion is essential for transferring weight correctly and getting the right glute under the left. It’s all about transitioning from high to high.
For example, if you watch Justin Thomas, you’ll see how he lifts his foot and drives it forward. Many amateurs struggle with this, as it can lead to the hip coming forward, creating trouble in their swings. The key is to maintain a pinch drive, which involves driving your right glute under your left.
Let’s take a look at this drill: drop your right foot back a bit and lift your heel slightly. You can cheat a little here to get some pressure on the inside of your trail foot, which helps close the gap. While it may not look perfect, the sensation through the ball will feel sensational. Keep your left leg solid and slightly bent as you move through the golf ball. This practice will help you get the correct bends and improve your contact.
As you practice, you’ll find that this method helps you move your hips correctly, allowing your upper body and arms to follow suit. Understanding swing technique is crucial for creating an efficient golf swing. If you like this content, please consider giving us a thumbs up—it helps us reach more people!
Join the free trial series today to experience the newest and most efficient app in golf. Remember, the key to playing your best golf isn’t more practice; it’s understanding exactly what you’re doing wrong. SwingSlapp lets you compare your swing to the averages of PGA tour players, simplifying the learning process.
Look at the great ball strikers and notice how they maintain their right leg and hip as they transition. This technique is essential for a smooth downswing. We’ll also explore a great combination drill that uses your shoulders to affect the hip tilt, making your downswing feel more natural.
To set this up, place two alignment sticks about a clubhead width apart, slightly pointing towards the golf ball. Position them just right of the middle of your stance. This setup helps you feel the correct turn and tilt close to the PGA averages. As you take your address position, pop the club onto your shoulders and wind it up, extending that right leg back. This action will help you achieve around 85 to 90 degrees of turn, which is crucial.
By practicing this drill, you’re going to improve your transition and re-entry with a quiet right side, allowing everything to open up as you move through the ball. You’ll be able to feel that move and practice effectively, rather than making mistakes.
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