Swing Fundamentals Series: Mastering the Delivery Position for a Powerful Downswing
In this fourth installment of our Swing Fundamentals Series, we focus on the crucial downswing and delivery position. PGA teaching professional Todd Kolb, Golf Digest Top Instructor, and director of instruction at US Golf TV and the Sanford Power Golf Academy, shares key insights on how to position the club, hands, and body to maximize power and accuracy as you approach impact.
Understanding the Delivery Position
The delivery position refers to the moment in the downswing when the club is halfway down and parallel to the ground. This is a critical point in the swing, as it sets the stage for the final approach to impact. Getting into the correct delivery position ensures that the clubface is square, the club path is on-plane, and the body is in a strong, balanced posture, all of which are essential for hitting powerful, accurate shots.
Setting Up Your LiveView for Delivery Position Practice
To help you practice and perfect the delivery position, the LiveView Golf camera is an excellent tool. Here's how to set it up effectively:
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Positioning the LiveView: Place the LiveView camera down the line, aligned with your target. This view provides the best perspective for monitoring the alignment of your club, hands, and body during the downswing.
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Drawing Reference Lines:
- Blue Line: Position a blue line along the club shaft at setup. This line helps track the movement of your hands and club during the downswing.
- Red Circle: Place a red circle just off your knees and above your toe line. This circle serves as a key reference point for the position of the clubhead as it approaches impact.
Key Elements of the Delivery Position
With your LiveView setup in place, focus on these critical aspects of the delivery position:
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Hand Position:
- As you move into the downswing, ensure that your hands stay on the blue line. This keeps the club on the correct path, allowing for a smooth transition into impact.
- Practice this movement without a club initially, focusing on bringing your hands down along the blue line.
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Club Shaft Angle:
- The club shaft should move just below the blue line as it comes down, maintaining a shallow angle that promotes an inside-out swing path.
- Avoid letting the shaft move too far above or below this line, as this can lead to slices or hooks.
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Clubhead Position:
- The clubhead should be slightly behind your hands as it reaches the red circle. This position is crucial for delivering the club with maximum power and accuracy.
- Ensure the clubface is at a 45-degree angle, matching the angle of your spine. This helps prevent the clubface from opening or closing excessively during the downswing.
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Avoiding Common Mistakes:
- If you're a single-digit handicapper, be aware of the common mistake of having the clubhead too high for too long in the downswing. This can create a steep angle, leading to heel strikes and inconsistent contact.
- Focus on lowering the clubhead as it approaches the red circle, ensuring a balanced and powerful delivery into impact.
Practice and Refine
Use your LiveView to monitor these key elements in real-time as you practice. Rehearse the downswing, ensuring that your hands, club shaft, and clubhead all move in harmony according to the reference points you've set up. By ingraining these movements, you’ll develop a consistent and powerful downswing that delivers the club squarely to the ball.
Conclusion
Mastering the delivery position is essential for any golfer looking to maximize power and accuracy in their shots. By focusing on these key aspects of the downswing and using tools like the LiveView Golf camera, you can refine this critical part of your swing and start hitting more consistent, powerful shots.
Stay tuned for the next post in our Swing Fundamentals Series, where we’ll continue to explore the foundational elements of a great golf swing.
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This post is part of our Swing Fundamentals Series, designed to help golfers of all levels improve their game with simple, effective techniques.