What is the first move once one has completed the backswing

[Lastpick]

When I play well, I feel that my tempo is spot on.  When not playing well, I feel as if the transition from the backswing to the downswing is hurried.  It feels as if I am quick to open my hips and shoulders to the left of the target line.  I don't want to get to complex in my description, but if there is an instructional video of the swing that could explain and give me a good visual of the transition period of the golf swing, I would appreciate it much.

[ajw426]

Harvey Pinnick recommends a combination of returning your left heel to the ground and bringing your right elbow back towards your right side.  

On top of creating proper sequencing, my guess is that this also promotes getting ones weight to the left as well as helping to prevent an over the top move?

Edited March 11, 2017 by ajw426

[Buckeyebowman]

My advice would be to just slow down, and not be in such a hurry to hit the ball! Also, if you're a rightie, just shove your left hip and ass cheek toward the target. Then turn!

[iacas]

Your feels are going to vary, but most people feel that it starts lower - the left knee, the left heel, the hips…

[DaveP043]

12 hours ago, Lastpick said:

When I play well, I feel that my tempo is spot on.  When not playing well, I feel as if the transition from the backswing to the downswing is hurried.  It feels as if I am quick to open my hips and shoulders to the left of the target line.  I don't want to get to complex in my description, but if there is an instructional video of the swing that could explain and give me a good visual of the transition period of the golf swing, I would appreciate it much.

I agree completely with @iacas, the right feel will vary from person to person, and may change over time as your swing changes or improves.  For me, I prefer the feeling of rotating my hips towards the target as a start to the forward swing.  The image I use is driving the right hip directly at the target.  I really don't think about shoulders or anything else at that time, I just want my lower body to lead.

For you, the right thought could be completely different.  I'd suggest seeing an instructor, or posting a video on the My Swing forum.  Your feeling of being too open with hips and shoulders could be caused by something else completely.  Its best to get at the root of the problem, rather that try to self-diagnose and treat the symptoms.

[billchao]

I feel my arms start the downswing, but in actuality, my hips start to open before my arms hit the top. Feel ain't real.

I need to feel my arms firing or I drag them behind me.

[nevets88]

It's really a delicate balance. If you've been letting the lower half go way before the upper, you need to feel the upper half go way before the lower half, which contradicts much of what "mainstream" instruction says about not starting from the top. You need to have a pair of eyes or video to help monitor that delicate balance. What happens is the lower half goes first, but what you feel is going to be a cycle of different feels. Trust your eyes, not your feels. Feelings are for jedi knights.

[Lihu]

1 minute ago, nevets88 said:

It's really a delicate balance. If you've been letting the lower half go way before the upper, you need to feel the upper half go way before the lower half, which contradicts much of what "mainstream" instruction says about not starting from the top. You need to have a pair of eyes or video to help monitor that delicate balance. What happens is the lower half goes first, but what you feel is going to be a cycle of different feels. Trust your eyes, not your feels. Feelings are for jedi knights.

Could the feel also depend a bit upon the physical builds of the people?

[Lastpick]

Thx for the feedback.  I will work on getting a video posted when I get out to the golf course again

[Marty2019]

Wow.  What a hugely important question.   From what I have seen, the better players start with their legs.  Left knee moves toward the target, hips slide towards the target, back elbow comes in towards the ribs, club naturally drops down some.   All this seems to happen before the downswing actually starts. 

A lesser player like me, I have some success when I FEEL like my first move is to slide my hips forward.   I see players on the practice tee who have a beautiful, effortless turn, and I think it's because they are starting at the ground, with their feet and knees.  Someday, I'll get that move down.  

 

[Hatchman]

Good question.  The drop of the right heal (lefty) simutainous with the pulling down of the shaft butt, I think are my feels.

[GolfLug]

I don't know the exact move for everyone, but there's a betting chance that if you don't start the DS by establishing your weight on the lead side, it will be too late once once shoulder/arms start moving. 

[Ernest Jones]

1 hour ago, GolfLug said:

I don't know the exact move for everyone, but there's a betting chance that if you don't start the DS by establishing your weight on the lead side, it will be too late once once shoulder/arms start moving. 

Agree with this. What, exactly, that feels like to a given player can vary greatly and, even worse, it can feel different from day to day.  Use video and a good coach. Save time, get better faster. 

[Hatchman]

I like these two representations.

 

[JonMA1]

As someone who has been struggling with this for quite a while, this is a very useful thread.

I believe weight forward should be the trigger. I've tried several feels to achieve this, but the following flaws keeps showing up on video as I get to the top...

a) a slight hip move away from the target,

b) a premature hip turn towards the target,

c) then a shift forward to start my hands down.

While there's weight forward, it's starts too far back and stalls before my left hip gets beyond my left ankle. Far too much weight back at impact.

On 3/10/2017 at 10:32 PM, Buckeyebowman said:

My advice would be to just slow down, and not be in such a hurry to hit the ball! Also, if you're a rightie, just shove your left hip and ass cheek toward the target. Then turn!

I'm pretty sure a slow tempo suits me best. Holding off on the downswing can help with better sequencing, so long as I can eliminate that slight backward slide.

[Jakester23]

The feeling I'm working on is to get pressure into my left foot and almost feel a small squat to start my downswing. I have a tendency have my hips closed due to bad key 2 and hit pulls.

[Lastpick]

4 hours ago, Hatchman said:

I like these two representations.

 

 

Thats what I'm talking about.  thx

[Jack Watson]

Personally,  I don't have a sense of making a specific move from the top.  On video it looks like left hip/knee (righty).