The Golf Swing Sequence

Having coached a few fairly established players lately I was amazed to find that many are unsure of the correct golf swing sequence.

The golf swing is really a simple series of movements which we tend to over complicate so in this article I am going to outline the sequence of the golf swing and then give you a drill to perfect it.

The Golf Swing Sequence.

Assuming you have the grip, alignment, stance and posture (the basic set-up) correct then the swing sequence is as follows.

The backswing starts and ends with a shoulder turn to a point where you are absolutely comfortable. Turning as far as you can, without feeling as if you are losing balance or falling over, should produce a feeling of stretched muscles down the "target" side of your torso - your lateral muscles.

My swing thought on the take away is to rotate my right shoulder around my spine (I am right-handed) and allow my arms to follow and stay intact with my shoulders. This is often called "keeping the triangle".

Do not over rotate the shoulders.

The next part of the golf swing sequence is where most golfers go wrong.

Pause at the top of the backswing - slow it all down.

Nothing but your hips move so start the down-swing. Simply rotate your hips back to the target keeping your right elbow tucked into your body and your belt horizontal.

Rotating your hips will automatically bring the shoulders back, followed by the arms, then the hands then the club head.

The finish is simply a matter of continuing through with the hips until your belt buckle is facing the target. If done correctly the shoulders, arms, hands and club head will catch up in the right sequence. You should end up feeling a bit like Luke Donald looks on completion of his swing.

You do not need to hammer the ball to get distance.

The tension created and released in your core muscles by the correct sequence will generate more club-head speed and result in increased distance.

The Golf Sequence Drill.

Do the following in slow motion.

Grab your golf club and stand upright. Lift the club horizontal in front of you. Your arms at shoulder height and the club straight out in front of you. See picture top right.

Ignoring everything but your shoulders, rotate your right shoulder around your spine keeping the club horizontal and your head facing forward. Only turn as far as your shoulders can comfortably turn.

Stop and take particular note of:

• The tension in the muscles down the target (left) side of your torso
• Your target arm should be absolutely straight. If bent you have turned too far.
• The position of your non-target (right for right-handers) arm which should have your triceps (the back part of the top of your arm) touching your outer chest.
• Your weight distribution. At least 60% of your weight on the inside of your non-target leg with your right knee bent slightly inward.

If you do not feel the above start again until you get it right.

To start the transition simply turn your hips.

Hips only - your shoulders, arms, hands and club will follow as surely as night follows day.

Concentrate on:

• Turning your hips and continuing right through until your belt buckle is facing the target
• Keeping your non-target elbow attached to your body.
• Allowing your arms to follow your shoulders without swinging them. If you do this properly your right elbow should stay intact with your body until just after impact at which point your left (target side) elbow will miraculously tuck into your torso.
• Keeping your belt horizontal. Don't dip any part of your body. Simply rotate.

Repeat this drill as often as possible until the golf sequence starts to make sense to you. Do it in ultra slow motion first and then a bit quicker until it becomes habit.

When you are ready to take it to the range it is exactly the same sequence. The only difference is you will now be in the address position - standing over a golf ball. You will no doubt be anxious to see if it works so don't be surprised if the first few shots go astray. Just repeat the drill and duplicate the feeling.

• Start your backswing by rotating your non-target shoulder around the spine to a point that is comfortable. Allow the arms to travel freely with no tension.
• Pause at the top.
• Turn your hips back to the target keeping your belt horizontal.
• Finish with your belt buckle facing square to the target. Your shoulders, hands and club will be exactly where they ought to be.

Do everything exactly in that order and you will gain greater accuracy, greater control, greater distance and, the real bonus, a delightful little draw.

I hope those steps and the drill will help you better understand that the golf swing sequence, besides being natural and simple, is essential to better golfing.