Nice vid from Sean O'Hair

Came across this today. Thought it may be beneficial for those having trouble with swaying in the backswing. He gives a pretty good explanation of what you should feel.

Every swing is different. It isn't nessesarily "bad," it's just difficult to repeat every time. The less lateral movement you have on the backswing, the less lateral movement you need on the downswing to get back to a good impact position. It really depends on how much lateral movement you have though. Too much lateral movement isn't good.

I don't think it is BAD but as described by O'Hair, it's harder to find the consistent impact position every single time. Golf is a game of simplifying. Avoiding unnecessary movements is the key.

I guess I misread the question that I replied to originally. My response was for lateral movement in the backswing but I see now he was asking about downswing. A lot of golfers do have lateral movement the backswing but the more lateral movement you have, the more you'll need on the downswing to get back to impact. This is why I said "too much lateral movement [away from the target] isn't good."

Precisely. Here's a good angle showing his lateral movement, and this is with an iron. He does it whether he realizes it or not.

no, you can move as far laterally on the downswing as your lower body will let you without your upper body(shoulders and head particularly), moving forward. you have to shift your hips laterally unless you plan on hitting the ball from the outside. i focus on keeping my chin slightly behind the ball at all times.

Thank you. I have been seeing this for a while now as well. There a lot of players with S&T; swings and that are being taugh S&T; fundamentals but they are being called something else so there isn't that negative conotation to it.