Today, Patrick started the process of going deeper into the downswing. Over the past few days I have been working on trying to figure out the downswing on my own. Patrick went into great detail to explain the importance of the hips and the right side on the downswing. Remember the left side on the backswing, well, the right side is even more important on the downswing.
You start the downswing with the right obliques twisting down and through. In essence, it should feel like the right hip is going slightly down as it pushes through and down the target line. This is extremely hard if you have never used your hips in the golf swing.
Patrick also briefly touched on the fact that the left elbow needs to be very soft and relaxed throughout the entire golf swing. At this point, this is impossible for me. My left shoulder, lat and tricep is extremely tight and accustomed to the shoulder facing toward the ground and not towards the target. It is going to take months for my left elbow to be soft in the golf swing.
I know that we are slowly working towards impact, but I have tons to learn. It feels like I am falling back and the club is “behind” me when I start the downswing.
I am also cognizant of the fact that the backswing remains extremely important. There are little tidbits Patrick does to fool me into a better backswing. I have learned the left elbow can be soft and pointing towards the ground as I approach the top of the backswing. I am also standing taller. At this point, I truly feel the upper body twisting against the lower body and hips. It will be interesting to see how this evolves.
UPDATE: I am now on lesson #125 and I am confident in my left elbow being soft throughout the golf swing. Most amateurs create the backswing with their arms so there is no way they can allow the left am and left shoulder to be soft while the left obliques and left lat drive to the top of the backswing. While Patrick was trying to explain this to me back in 2019, I never fully appreciated the importance of the left shoulder being open with the left lat driving under causing it to stay open. Try that at home, folks!
