The golf swing is a coordination of movements and if the timing or sequence are off you are bound to hit a poor golf shot.

Once you have set up properly and started your swing into motion with the back swing you have set the stage for the launch ( hitting the golf ball). It is important that you have  coiled your upper body while resisting somewhat with your lower body. There is no great coordination of movements in the back swing. The back swing sets the stage for the forward swing. In the back swing you have aimed the club. Done properly, at the top of your back swing the club should be pointed toward the target, in the same fashion you would aim a gun. If your aim is off with a rifle you are bound to miss the target. The same holds true for your golf swing. If your club. at the top of your back swing, is pointed where ever then the resulting shot could go anywhere.

Once you have swung the club back and are relatively sure you have the club in the proper position the sequence of motion ( your down swing ) begins. In order to have a consitant swing on plane you must coordinate the motion of your hands and arms with the motion of your lower body. Many of you have had lessons, been told or have read that the forward or down swing is started with a lateral shift of weight from right to left. I do not agree with that as it makes the swing a rocking motion.

The forward swing that will launch the golf ball is a swinging of the arms while unwinding the coil created in the back swing in unison with a transfer of weight from right to left. This unwinding of the coil must be coordinated with the clearing of the hips so that your golf swing fully ends with your body facing the target.

Many golfers, in trying in their eagerness to hit the ball, will start the forward swing with their shoulders unwinding the coil out of sequence. The result swings the club out of plane into what you may have heard called ” over the top “. Others try intensely to start there downswing by transfering there weight from right to left. In many cases, because this rocking motion does not allow you to complete the circle of your golf swing, your hips get in the way of the finish resulting in an open faced slice or a low pull hook.

The correct way to swing the club back to the ball ( assuming you are in position at the top of the back swing ) is to coordinate your arm swing with your lower body motion. One should not be faster or quicker than the other.

To learn this coordination of a good arm swing with the motion of your lower half, I find it helpful for students to hit balls with their feet together. If your forward swing is out of sequence and not coordinated you will lose your balance. practice this way until you can keep your balance with all the different clubs in your bag.

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