How do I start the downswing correctly?

Mastering the Downswing Start in the Lever Swing Method

As Lane "The Lever," I specialize in the lever swing's rhythmic power, where speed emerges from perfect timing and a sweeping arm release rather than forced rotation. The downswing—the forward motion from the top of your long, sweeping backswing—is where effortless power unfolds. Starting it correctly means initiating with gravity and feel, allowing your arms to drop naturally into the slot before the full release. This preserves your maximum arc and timing, ideal for feel players who thrive on tempo and artistry.

Key Principles for the Correct Downswing Initiation

• Arms Drop with Gravity: From the top of your backswing, let your arms fall naturally under their own weight. Avoid any rush or steep casting—think of the clubhead falling into the slot as if pulled by an invisible rhythm. This shallow path maximizes leverage without disrupting your spine angle.
• Maintain Spine Angle and Pivot Stability: Keep your spine tilted away from the target through impact. Your lower body provides a stable pivot, responding subtly to the arm motion rather than driving aggressively. Soft knees and a neutral stance width ensure mobility for this full arm extension.
• No Forced Transition: Don't muscle the club down. Feel the smooth drop, then sequence into wrist and forearm release. For right-handers, sense your right arm straightening aggressively through the ball, allowing hands to rotate naturally without fighting face closure.
• Ball Position and Arc: Play the ball slightly forward of center to promote full arm extension. Visualize brushing the grass with a free release, throwing the clubhead at the target like a sweeping underhand toss.

Step-by-Step Sequence to Start the Downswing

1. Reach the Top: Complete your long backswing with arms fully extended, body responding to the arm swing—maximum arc without restriction.
2. Initiate the Drop: Pause mentally at the top, then let arms drop halfway with gravity. Feel the club shallowing into the slot—no handsy manipulation.
3. Release Through Impact: As arms reach hip height, unleash the wrists fully. Extend aggressively, maintaining spine angle for a sweeping path.
4. Follow Through: Let the motion flow rhythmically, celebrating the artistry of a timed release over mechanical force.

Essential Drills to Develop Feel and Timing

• Pump Drill: Swing to the top, pause, drop arms halfway with gravity, then release through impact. Repeat slowly to ingrain the gravity-fed drop—build tempo gradually.
• Feet-Together Drill: Hit half-shots with feet together to isolate arm-dominated feel. Focus on the natural drop and slot entry, eliminating lower body interference.
• Slot Visualization: Practice takeaway with arms swinging back first, body following. On downswing, rehearse the club's fall without a ball, sensing the shallow path.

Key Takeaway: In the lever swing, a correct downswing start is about surrendering to gravity and rhythm—arms dropping smoothly into the slot while your stable pivot holds the line. Master this through patient repetition of feel-based drills, and you'll unlock effortless power with misses minimized by superior timing. Consistency blooms from this artistic flow, turning every swing into a beautiful, timed symphony.