Golfing Weekly Magazine - Issue #10

In last week's article I talked about getting to the top of the backswing. Now I'll discuss that all important move to start the downswing - The Power Move.
As you can see from Picture #1 I am at the top of the backswing	Picture #1
Picture #2	Picture #2 shows the first move of the downswing - starting with the left side (for right handed golfers) and not with the arms as is so common among high and medium handicap golfers. You will note the weight has started to shift across to the front side and the angle created by the shaft and my left arm has not changed. This indicates the downswing has not been started with the hands.
Any attempt to start the downswing with the hands and arms will immediately cause two things to happen. One, you will "come over the top" and two, you will instantly lose that all important shaft angle and get what is called "casting" because it is like casting a fishing rod. This means instant power loss and, as you will see in next week's article about the follow-through, direction loss as well.
In picture #3 my hands have already passed hip level and the angle is still the same as it was at the top of the backswing. The weight is now approximately 60% across onto the front side.	Picture #3
Picture #4	In picture #4 I am in the all important "impact" position. In comparing picture #3 with #4 you can see that my hands have moved approximately 12 inches in the same time that the clubhead has moved 5 feet, obviously creating tremendous clubhead speed. At impact my weight is approximately 70% over to the front side and the arm and shaft are in a straight line. At this moment all the power that has been stored up during the downswing is being released right at the point you want it - at impact.
Any golfer wanting to improve his or her distance has only to look to these areas to see where the power is being lost. A lesson with the use of a video camera will quickly illustrate this. Once you understand the principals involved in creating "the power move' you will be pleased to see your drives increase and your shots come down. I also recommend an instructional video which features an excellent drill to help you feel this position. The Phil Ritson Video Encyclopedia of Golf is a series of 11 instructional video tapes dealing with a different aspect of the game, so you can choose tapes according to your individual needs. The #5 Tape called "Effortless Power" has a drill called the "dagger" drill. I teach my students this drill - with impressive results. These video tapes are the first video set to receive a Ten Star rating from Golf Magazine. To order this or any other Ritson tape call 1-800-624-4653. Click here to read a review any of the tapes.

Next Week: The Backswing - the start to a good swing

Mel Sole is a former South African Tour player with about 30 years of teaching experience. He is the co-founder of Ritson-Sole Golf Schools, which is rated one of the 25 best golf schools in the U.S. Mel's home course is Pawleys Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Other Ritson-Sole Golf Schools are located in Wilmington, N.C., Atlanta, Blue Springs, Mo., Harrisburg, Pa., and San Sebastián de Amola, México. You can visit the Ritson-Sole Website at www.ritson-sole.com.