The Golf Downswing is undoubtedly and without question the most crucial part of the golf swing. It doesn't matter what goes before it.. Nothing else really matters if this part of the swing is not right. Everything else is a waste of time, if this part of the golf swing is not right. Everything we do before we commence the downswing (the grip, the stance, alignment, takeaway, backswing) is preparation for enabling us to make the golf swing as perfect a golf swing as possible.

The most common mistake golfers make is to begin the downswing with the arms or shoulders.. This will usually cause the dreaded "out to in" swing or more simply "swinging across the line". The slice is the most common outcome of this because we have had to open the club face to make the ball to come back towards our intended target. If this is your natural swing, you will appreciate how difficult the game can be, especially if playing into a head wind or left to right cross wind. The other outcome this can cause is if we do NOT open the club face to compensate. Result. A pull shot to the left.

The downswing should be the very natural result of everything that precedes it. The first move should start from the ground upIn other words, the first move in the downswing is made by the legs Coaches and swing gurus argue about this move and which part of the body moves first. It is very important that we do not have too many technical thoughts in our heads at this point in the swing. We should have one single trigger thought and one single trigger movement and only one.

Golf Tip #1 A great trigger motion is to move the right knee towards the left knee and plant the left heal flat on the ground. These 2 movements begin the process of your hips moving forward. The hips will want to rotate slightly. Allow this to happen.

Golf Tip #2 Allow your upper body to uncoil as a natural reaction to this trigger motion. If your lower body is moving and turning, your upper body has to as well. Let it happen with as little conscious contribution from you as possible.

Golf Tip #3 It is imperative that you make sure that your shoulders, arms and hands follow exactly along the same path as you made with your backswing. If you can master this part of the downswing then you will eliminate that "out to in" swing.

Golf Tip #4 You can practice this at home without a ball. Practice pushing the right knee to the left and placing your left heel flat on the ground. Rehearse what it feels like to have the same path for your backswing and your downswing. Do it over and over again until you don't have to think about it.

Golf Tip #5 Probably the best advice you will ever get is to swing within yourself. Swing the club at about 85% all the time and with all your clubs. This will allow you time to perform the swing and it will develop better timing greatly. The result is longer, more accurate shots.

Be relaxed at all times. None of us can carry out any physical task while we are tense. Allow your swing to flow Endeavour to have as little conscious input as possible. Too may swing thoughts in your head at any one time will only make things much harder.

If you can get this one part of the golf swing right, getting the rest right, will follow.

Understand that there is much more to the perfect golf swing than just the downswing but mastering the perfect golf downswing will greatly improve your game and your chances of getting that handicap tumbling downwards.