Active DOWNSWING POWER – The Most Underrated Asset in Golf?
You’re not supposed to rush the downswing — you’re supposed to let it happen. But what if you can actually be intentional and active in the downswing?
Tiger Woods is definitely not just “letting it happen.” Sergio Garcia, in his youth, talked about the feeling of pulling a chain.
Ben Hogan described pulling an arrow from a quiver — yet also spoke of a “free ride down.” He might be the biggest enigma in golf, but you see my point. Harnessing the potential of the downswing is a big asset in your motion, especially for what I call input power.
I myself just unleash my club in the downswing. Very intentfully.
Downswing Power = Engine Ignitation and Input Speed
If I can manage to release my golf club properly in the downswing I’ve create a centrifugal force outlet that will propel my motion. I call this igniting my downswing engine and it create a baseline of speed in your swing.
I have two entries into old school golf that I match towards how you are as a golf personality. The first one I call a Power Hitter and this style of golf actually derives 80% of the power from the downswing itself. Through an abstract intention of dumping the heck out of the golf club.
The other style I call a Swing Arc User and it fits you that have more time and more tranquility in your motion. It relies more on grip pressure, gravity and smoothness. this style creates 50% of the speed in the downswing.
Downswing & Follow Through Relationship – Accelerating the Speed
So your downswing can be actively used to create input speed. And this speed can now be harnessed and accelerated.
Through using smart old school follow through intentions you can now add blade control and continue the journey all the way to the top position.
In the power hitter route you add 10-20% more speed with your blade control feeling.
In the swing arc user route you add upwards of 50% more speed with a long follow through feeling. No wonder that Arnold Palmer’s club helicoptered after the finish – he accelerated his downswing input speed more than anyone I’ve ever seen.
The FMM Project is about harnessing the tricks of the trade from back in the day:
Check out the Forgotten Master Moves homepage here.
The FMM Project – the swing style that I teach – has it’s overview page here.