Rick Smith How to Get Down.

pdf
Saved to Dropbox • Mar 5, 2019 at 6C24 PM

LESSON TEE

How to Get Down

Shift left and let it go

By Rick Smith
1. WIND BACK (above left) : When you reach
the top, your body should be turned well behind the
ball, and the muscle under your left shoulder blade
(the left "lat") should feel fully stretched.

2. SHIFT FORWARD (above center) : As you

start down, make a lateral move toward the target
with your left lat. Your left hip and entire lower body
will support this move naturally. Now you're ready
to unwind.

3. TURN THROUGH (above right) : Leading the

turn with your left side, let your upper body rotate
hard toward the target. Don't allow the clubhead to
pass your left hand until you've smashed the ball.
Every move you make in your golf swing should be
to influence a better impact position. Having said
that, few amateurs understand how to get down to
the ball from the top -- specifically what the upper
body should do. If you make a proper backswing,
where you're fully wound and your torso is behind
the ball, then your left side should lead a lateral
shift toward the target before your torso unwinds.
This sequence is important because it correctly
transfers your body mass forward, gets your arms
moving down on the proper inside path, and helps
give your swing a whip-like action. Most people
think of the downswing as a body rotation only. But
without this lateral shift at the start, you'll have no
room to let your arms and the club swing down in
the "power slot" -- from inside your target line.
Here's how to perfect your downswing and hit
powerful shots.

TAKE A STEP TO LEARN THE SHIFT

Smith

Ad

When you reach the top in your normal driver swing,

you should be able to tap your left foot on the
ground. That means you're fully loaded onto your
right side and ready to shift toward the target to
start down. The step drill (above) will help ingrain
that lateral shift. Grab your driver, set up in a
narrow stance about six inches behind the ball and
make a full backswing. Then lean left, step toward
the target and swing down. Feel your weight move
into your left side as your body shifts forward. You
even can hit some shots this way.
Smith

CROSS HANDS TO LOAD AND LAG

Reverse your hands on the club at address and

swing back. Feel that stretch across your left lat?
The muscle should be tight and ready to fire. Now
practice starting down -- don't hit the ball -- letting
that lat shift forward and your body begin to rotate.
The cross-handed grip also will help maintain your
wrist hinge and clubhead lag as you swing down.

Ad

LET GO WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND TO FEEL

FULL EXTENSION

Your left arm has to keep leading into the follow-

through. If your right arm overtakes it, you'll lose
power and accuracy. Key on your hands: Train your
left hand to stay ahead of your right hand and the
clubhead well past impact by using this drill. At
address, grip the club normally with your left hand,
then cover your left hand with your right (below,
inset). Make a real swing, but as you're coming into
impact, drop your right hand off the club (below).
You'll really feel your left arm staying extended
through the shot.

Smith

DROP IT OFF: To feel your left side leading

through impact, let go with your right
hand as you hit the ball.
 Ad

RICK SMITH is based at Treetops Resort, in

Gaylord, Mich., and Tiburón, in Naples, Fla.
 Related

Golf News & Tours

USGA calls out Justin Thomas after Thomas
again ridicules enforcement of new rules -
Golf Digest

The Loop

Keith Mitchell’s caddie is the real life version

of the caddie in Happy Gilmore - Golf Digest

The Loop
Keith Mitchell isn't going to be thrilled about
this brutal newspaper headline for his Honda
Classic win - Golf Digest

Golf News & Tours

Charl Schwartzel got "heated" with a PGA

Tour official after being put on the clock at the
Honda Classic - Golf Digest
 The Loop

Cheating allegations and fists hurled as

country club gents throw down - Golf Digest

Stix

The clubs Keith Mitchell used to win the

Honda Classic - Golf Digest

© Condé Nast 2019