With my backswing in a better place, we needed to confirm the changes by seeing improvements in my downswing (remember the chain-reaction concept). The first step was making sure my arms and body were staying connected at the top. When my body stops turning, I don’t want my arms to run on at all. They should stop swinging at the same time. When I focus on this, my backswing can feel shorter, so I have to guard against getting quick at the change of direction, trying to subconsciously make up for a shorter swing. Butch likes me to make some stop-and-go swings when we practice. Swing to the top and stop, then swing down and through. I even hit balls this way. It really helps me feel that connected backswing position, then I can transfer my weight to my front side and let the club drop before turning on the speed ( below ). When my transition from back- swing to downswing is smooth, I always hit better shots. KEEPING THE TRANSITION SMOOTH
“If you don’t have the range of motion to make a full backswing, you probably rush the club down from the top. That tends to be all arms and upper body. Instead, focus on starting the downswing from the ground up, with the club whipping through last. No matter how short your backswing, that sequence works best. As Rickie says, stop-and-go swings are great training, and I like full swings in slow motion to really feel that good, ground-up sequence coming down.”
BUTCH SAYS COPY THIS!
46 GOLF DIGEST SOUTH AFRICA
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024
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