Jim McLean instructional video... really good stuff on the downswing.

[senorchipotle]

hopefully many with all swing types can learn a few things from this. one of the most complete explanations of the downswing i've ever seen. also interested to hear your thoughts...

[motteler621]

good video. I actually slot my club down a bit on the downswing. Very natural feeling,

[Gopher1000]

Thanks for posting this video! I am new to the (excellent) site and relatively new to the game. My primary goal right now is to learn "my" swing and figure out the best way to make solid and consistent contact. I can pure a ball at times, but the wide variety of misses is the primary point of frustration. I feel like my swing changes a lot in an attempt to generate more power to gain distance. The "sledgehammer" idea was interesting in that it does seem like a natural way to build up power and come down on the ball with a lot of force. Can any of the low-handicap members in the forum (preferably with instructional background) comment as to whether this would be a good thing to practice? I have a lesson scheduled two weeks from now and will likely bring this up with the instructor.

[SpacklersEdge]

Originally Posted by Gopher1000

Thanks for posting this video! I am new to the (excellent) site and relatively new to the game. My primary goal right now is to learn "my" swing and figure out the best way to make solid and consistent contact. I can pure a ball at times, but the wide variety of misses is the primary point of frustration. I feel like my swing changes a lot in an attempt to generate more power to gain distance. The "sledgehammer" idea was interesting in that it does seem like a natural way to build up power and come down on the ball with a lot of force. Can any of the low-handicap members in the forum (preferably with instructional background) comment as to whether this would be a good thing to practice? I have a lesson scheduled two weeks from now and will likely bring this up with the instructor.

If you are new, learn the most important thing possible before it's too late.  If you hit this "slot", and have the clubface/path in the right spot, swinging hard will never make the ball go farther.  This game is all about mechanics, tempo, balance.  If those three things are spot on, the ball just jumps off the club and you hardly feel like you are trying.

[iacas]

I couldn't get through the whole thing.

If I ask you to hammer a nail in to something, nobody would take the hammer back off plane and then try to "slot it" on the downswing. I'm of the opinion that most people should simply swing the club back "on plane" and deliver the club straight down that plane on the downswing.

Can you do it other ways and win $10M in the FedExCup? Yep. Does that mean I'm going to teach someone Jim Furyk's backswing? Nope. Does it mean I'd change Jim Furyk's backswing if he came to me for a lesson? Not on your life... (or mine).

[JackLee]

I couldn't get through it either.  Irritating.

Swing the club back on the same plane that you intend to return it on, unless you have some weird loop burned into your brain and a plus handicap to go with it.

[senorchipotle]

personally, i find it easier and more rhythmical to have an parallel/above plane backswing and drop the club into plane on the downswing, but i guess that's just because i was taught to swing that way. i experiment at the range trying to bring the club back and through on the same plane, but i always end up pushing it to the right, plus it just feels uncomfortable cause i feel like i'm spinning out.

i think of the golf swing as more of swinging an axe to chop firewood or swinging a baseball bat. neither are swung back and through on the same plane.

[GolfBear]

I just did an analysis on some video I shot of my swing a few days ago.   I've got a "V" gap of approximately 40 degrees so I'm getting there!

[motteler621]

actually I take back that comment,I dont think I drop my club. Im one plane, was thinking about that when I was playing the other day and realized I dont drop it into a slot