Golf Swing Explained: How To Make A Good Transition

A lot of amateur players struggle with the transition, which is widely agreed by many to be the most important part of a golf swing. Transition in golf is the point that serves as the start of the downswing; any error here will affect the momentum, control, and direction of your swing.

To make good transition, we share the advice given by a true golf great, none other than Tiger Woods himself. According to him players who have a sudden transition – a hurried transition – lose momentum by the time the clubhead hits the ball. He advices golfers to start slow and then steadily increase the speed.

The three key indicators of a good swing transition for Tiger Woods are:

• Shifting of weight to the front foot
• The arms must descend in front of the chest
• Not to open the shoulders too fast

While addressing the ball, slightly widen your stance and feel the body weight resting on the heels. If you’re able to wiggle your toes it means the weight is balanced on your heels. Now, make sure the weight doesn’t shift back to the toes.

Another important point to note is to see that you don’t lose the downswing spine angle created with a proper stance. We are saying this because most players tend to stand up when the iron is swung down. The transition from backswing to downswing must be effortless and smooth – all in one flow. A bent spine angle is also the means to have (i) proper elbow and wrist angle, (ii) creates the necessary space for the right elbow to progress towards the target, and (iii) helps maintain the ideal distance from the ball.

As most experts say the downswing begins from your feet and not top-down. When you begin the downswing, the weight should transfer forward, allowing your hips to slide and rotate. Your hold over the club must be a secured one – neither too loose nor too tight.

Proper transition largely depends on how your lower body moves. Your legs and feet are responsible for stability as your torso coil and uncoil. To have a good transition, the torso and legs must both move in opposite directions. When the torso is taken away from the target, the lower body, especially the legs must move towards the target.

When the hands are close to your waist as the club is coming down, the angle of the club shaft in relation to arms and wrist must be 90 degrees. Having the club shaft at the proper angle will increase the club head speed on contact.