One of the toughest components of the golf swing is transition — how do we start the downswing?
It’s a segment of the swing that gives many players problems, pros included.
When Tiger Woods started working with Butch Harmon at the beginning of his career, Butch would have Tiger start his swing, take it to the top and hold it — hold it for a count of three or four.
It’s a great drill that helps us understand how to properly start the downswing. Most amateurs’ first move will be to start the club moving down. That spells trouble.
The downswing actually starts with the feet and legs and if you can pause at the top, then try to hit the golf ball, you find that you have to use your feet and legs. If you haven’t done the drill before, use something like a seven-iron.
Today we’re getting a transition lesson from teacher extraordinaire — Michael Breed:
Click on this link for Michael Breed’s lesson on the downswing:
Michael reinforces what Bradley Hughes spoke about last week — dropping the club on the proper line, you’ll see Breed’s club on the 4:30 path right before it becomes parallel to the ground.
So if you want to improve your transition from the top and path into the ball, try the pause drill and work on letting the club drop properly before you try and hit some balls.
And most important, don’t rush that transition, that’s why we are using that “pause at the top” drill.
Practice it and you’ll see improvement in your swing.
