Weight transfer in the downswing

A key move in an efficient swing is to be able to transfer your weight to your left side during the downswing.  We all have that image of the top players as they transition into the downswing, and how they post into the left side; it looks strong, athletic and powerful.  It is not a quintessence that most great player have this look.  A good weight transfer can help many aspects of the swing:

• Helps to reposition the club onto the correct plane, fixing over the top, slicing, and in general increasing accuracy.
• Helps to create a solid impact, fixing heavy shots and thin shots.
• Helps to increase club head speed, and in turn distance.
• It can help players who early release, and scoop at impact, adding loft to the club, creating a high weak ball flight, losing distance.
• It can help to stabilize your lower body, again helping you to create club head speed, and a consistent shot.

It is common knowledge that there should be a transfer of weight to the left side in the downswing, but not much has been talked about HOW to transfer your weight.  In my experience, players can try and try to transfer their weight with no success, but as soon as they learn HOW, the change happens almost instantly.

Transferring your weight from left foot to right foot is very similar to walking.  Think about it.  When you are walking forward, and your right foot is behind your left foot, to be able to transfer your weight forward, and take a step forward, you push off your right foot.  You create some force underneath your right foot; actually, if you were standing on ice your right foot would slip backwards in the movement, proving it is the right foot doing the pushing.

 

The transfer of weight from right foot to left foot in the downswing happens in just the same way.  You should use your right foot to push off in starting your downswing.  I tell some of my students to feel like they are jumping off their right foot.  This feeling of jumping from your right side will ensure that you use the ground to create club head speed, (Ground Force) and that your weight is shifting to the left foot.  It is one of the most important movements in a golf swing, and it is really not that difficult when you know how.

Next time you are the range, try being more aware of the forces on the right foot as you change direction from backswing to downswing.  You might just surprise yourself how much of an improvement you get in the quality of your shot.