The ATHLETIC Low Point – Giving the Go Ahead for Power
The Athletic Low Point is a saying that I’ve developed to describe the perceived ability to deliver more old school release and centrifugal force. So this is definitely an old school golf swing inspired article and can only somewhat be applied to modern golf (because of how the club is or isn’t released).
The low point in itself in a golf swing can be measured from reading your divots or just a trackman number if you are indoor.
But it’s not the full story.
Your perceived low point (together with the blade’s relative close/openess) is one of the biggest reaction inducing elements in a swing.
The Athletic Low Point = The Feeling of your Perceived Dowswing Low Point
So I’ve kind of made up this saying because I just like it.
If I feel that my downswing low point (matched towards my release style of course) is way after the golf ball then it gives my brain the “go ahead” to unleash the club. I guess that everyone playing golf are somewhat afraid of chunking.
Let’s switch it around. If I get my low point too far back (chunk if released) then I from a brain perspective become hesitant to unleash the club. I step into a push the hands limbo which creates all sorts of problems from an old school swing perspective (primarily a too open face too late and some not very nice body tilts).
So getting your perceived downswing low point forward after the ball creates the feeling of being “allowed” to add speed.
Mesured Low Point = A marriage of downswing and follow through properties
Again, the low point can be measured in a singular point but that’s all that is. A measurement.
The actual input for creating this singular point is your overall body position, your downswing activity AND your follow through intentions.
Let’s talk about the follow through here because if there’s one common denominator of all great old school ball strikers it is this: Their follow through action was much more potent than what happens in most modern swing. It was more of an aggressive upwards movement. So this leads you to believe that this probably sends the low point backwards right?
That’s exactly how it works in my own motion. My downswing low point goes way forward and my follow through takes it back. Almost like V feeling from a face on perspective of the swing.
Athletic Low Point Forward = P4->P5 Goodness
Long story short, if you can influence your early downswing to be more “low point forward” then you will mechanically make your body react much more towards your intentions that you aim towards your engine (the club, hands and arms). It will make your ground force usage better, it will induce lateral slide and it will just make it easier to clear your hips and get that synchronized follow through rotation. WITHOUT you having to think about it.
To wrap it up. This is indeed a difficult topic but what I say can really be seen in anything from Fred Couples, Colin Montgomerie or why not the modern beast of Scottie Scheffler.
Swing Development for Real
If you’re serious about swing development, the best question you can ask yourself is this:
Which pattern fits you?
Take the quiz below. It only takes two minutes.
START THE JOURney – FIND YOUR OLD SChool PATTERN
Your inspirations and your subconscious view of the golf swing matter more than anything when it comes to making a lasting swing change. The goal is to find the pattern that fits you best. Take the quiz and check out the best choice for you below:
FMM EDUCATIONAL PATTERN PAGES
-
Trail Power Hitter Pattern: The Invisible Vertical Power
THE GOLF SWING IS INVISIBLE You can’t see what I really do. I…
-
Aggressive Fluid Release Pattern: Cracking the Hogan Enigma
Cracking THE IMPOSSIBLE ENIGMA? First attempt: seven years ago. There I failed with…
-
Big Arc Swinger Pattern: From Nicklaus to Woods to Scheffler
What’s a big arc golfer? You see that person with a swing that…
Main Website Pages
-
FMM Video Articles — See It. Read It. Understand It.
In early 2025, I started my YouTube channel (find it here), and the format has really grown on me. It allows me to explain, demonstrate, and cover things that text simply can’t. The real…
-
All Articles Library – All Creations in One Place
Everything I’ve created over the years. You have different filterings according to the list below. Wish to watch Youtube videos instead? Then click here to open Wish to visit my Skillest Profile (coach app)?…
-
FMM Academy – Which Pattern Fits You?
Golf instruction has never suffered from a lack of information. It has suffered from a lack of understanding. The FMM Academy was built to help golfers understand why great swings work, how different players…
-
Swing Styles Articles – Explaining Old School Variations
I categorize golf swings into different styles for the sake of clarity and understanding. No golfer fits perfectly into a single swing style, but without a structured framework, you’re essentially shooting in the dark….
Old School General Articles
-
Ben Hogan vs Jack Nicklaus Grip: What’s the Real Difference?
All the old-timers cared about one thing first and foremost. Almost as if it were the gatekeeper to their swing worlds. The grip. Why is it so important? Because it directly connects to how…
-
How Lee Trevino Built One of Golf’s Most Accurate Swings
Most golfers trying to hack the golf swing just ruin it, and some, like Lee Trevino, win six majors. From an accuracy perspective, I would say that his motion is the most efficient I’ve…
-
Why Jack Nicklaus Swing Work – Free of Modern “Rules”
Most people have Ben Hogan as their swing god, and sure, he’s awesome, but my personal favorite will always be Jack Nicklaus Swing. The Golden Bear. It’s the simplicity and effortless feel of it…
More FMM Project Articles
-
The Swinging Protocol – In the Core of all Great Golfers?
I have a special interest in the golf world, and that is to understand what actually built the best swings of all time. Not just how they look, but what truly built them. What…
-
A Powerful Golf Swing Clips It – Stop Chasing Divots
We are all performing golf swings based on inner images, muscle memory, and athleticism. These different subconscious images will shape how we perform our motion. A powerful golf swing clips it in a shallow,…
-
Perform Your Backswing in Front of Yourself – The Vertical Lift
The backswing might be the most difficult part of golf. Do it right, and while there are no guarantees of a perfect result, do it wrong and you’ve almost certainly ruined your chances of…