Swing Triggers

[Mr. Desmond]

It's the beginning of a new season and hope springs eternal. I was at the range for the second time this year and began work on ballstriking. One thing that struck me is how I feel like my swing begins has a huge influence on my striking.

I've been to several instructors over the years who use different methods -- one basic with them is the hands starting the backswing, followed by arms, chest, etc.

This doesn't work so well for me.

It gets me armsy and the lower body ... lazy.

Result is that my ballstriking with all clubs is not good because -- I'm guessing here -- my swing is out of synch.

But if I " feel " as if my swing begins with the lower body, ballstriking is crisp in all clubs and the swing less armsy.

I realize we all have different triggers, Nicklaus had his knee kick in a little -- a lower body move. And my arms may start the swing imperceptibly -- but if I overtly move them, the swing is lost. I've got to feel as if I turn the hips to begin and all is well - even though it may only be a feeling. It is an amazing difference in all phases of the game -- lob shots are crisp and high, iron shots are compressed ....

I'm guessing we all have different feels to begin the swing -- that gets each of us in synch for the entire swing. Does your trigger work and why do you think it works for you?

[Zeph]

I have never really thought about my backswing trigger, but I guess it's a combination of everything, start with the club.

What's more important for me is the feelings on the downswing, that's where the magic happens. I like getting the left knee going forward, letting the hips follow also, but I can't ignore the arms, they have to start swinging to catch up.

My best suggestion is to try out different feelings and go with whatever works best. Remember that what feels best or most natural and what works best are not necessarily the same thing.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Zeph

What's more important for me is the feelings on the downswing, that's where the magic happens. I like getting the left knee going forward, letting the hips follow also, but I can't ignore the arms, they have to start swinging to catch up.

My thoughts are that the backswing puts you in certain positions/angles so the downswing has a better chance -- if I start lower body on the backswing, I'll begin lower body on the downswing. Sequencing ...