David Leadbetter on How To Do The A Swing Downswing | Golf Tips | Golf Digest

Golf instructor David Leadbetter says a shallow downswing ensures that the golf club approaches from the inside and then it's just squaring the face to hit a draw.

Instructional how-tos, tips, and more to help you master your swing.

Transcript
It's always stated that
the most important part of the golf swing
is your transition, going from back to down,
and that's important.
It wants to be smooth.
The club needs to be in the right position from where...
Basically, gravity just makes you hit the ball.
And with the A Swing, backswing,
because of this nice, short arm swing, and with the club...
Remember, it's almost as if your arm is flat,
and the shaft is upright.
So as we go back, we're on this plane, or this line,
and as we come down, we're on this line.
This is what we call the V plane.
It's not a strict V, but it's a great image, where
going back it's here; as we transition, it's here.
Because if we can get golfers onto this plane,
coming down, and the arms and the body are working nicely
in harmony, you're going to hit some great shots.
So we can see, as I make my movement back to the top,
I just almost like step into it,
very much like a batter in baseball...
Where's his bat?
It's up here.
Steps into it.
Look what happens to the bat.
It flattens out onto the plane that the pitch is coming on.
So there's a baseball component in this A Swing.
Most of you've sort of swung a bat at some stage
in your early years, certainly,
but we can see, from here, boom!
And that's the whole key with this A Swing,
to get the club on the right plane.
How many golfers do we see out here in steep?
% of the world's golfers.
So, you can see, I'll do this fairly slowly, you can see.
Work it back.
Here's my backswing, and we can see from here,
I'm going to complete, and...
Boom.
So you can see, this action here
is going to produce a lovely little draw.
Those of you that slice, you'll never slice again.
You get onto this V plane,
going back and coming down,
you'll crack it.


ABOUT GOLF DIGEST
Home of the annual Hot List, instructional videos, news and trends, Golf Digest is the definitive destination for all-things golf.

David Leadbetter on How To Do The A Swing Downswing | Golf Tips | Golf Digest

[WorkoutPablo]

I used to come over the top a lot. This has helped me big time. I am striking the ball much more consistently and get the ball started on line. Truly a miracle for me. Not sure if being a lefty playing right handed is the reason this swing resonates with me. It is just so much easier to get on plane in the downswing.

[brucejeanduc]

I like this. I was already swinging like this, and I didnt even know I was doing the A swing. This video confirms I was doing it right, but it also shed a new light at the top of the swing.

[jimhunter]

I'm 72 years old, been playing for over 60 years. Broke my back and right ankle in a bicycle accident 4 years ago. I started using this "A Swing" three weeks ago. Unreliable 145 yard 5 irons are now 155 yards. Tee shots are over 235 yards. Never had a problem with direction - the book explains draws and fades I play in windy conditions in Wyoming and am able to hit it high or low at will. Nothing will keep a man in everlasting ignorance than contempt prior to investigation.

[pd]

This swing is awesome for someone that has an inside take away then comes over the top, best cure for me by far! Like Kyle Morris says, steep shallow steep!

[jimhunter]

I've been using this swing for 4 weeks now. Practice and playing. Using the book, the videos on YT, and a cut down sand wedge in the house. It's not for everyone, but not everyone is 72, with a poorly mended back and ankle. Come to Three Crowns GC in Casper WY, and I'll gladly take your money.

[jimhunter]

Lydia just won the EVIAN. My 34 year old daughter who was an AJGA girls champion in Kern County, California in 1999 asked me to help her before a corporate scramble. In 2 days she GOT IT, She and I and 2 strangers finished 4th out of 20 teams. Her A Swing is less pronounced than mine, but it works. She had longest drive on #7 for most of the day. Brofun's experience is typical. My experience is atypical because of my age (72).

[aguy]

its worked for me but still inconsistent with it - its a Big re routing of the club I feel tougher to time - shot 76 e]and even par with it broke 80 many times in 5 months using but then some big time inconsistencies started to appear. Lost a little currently might go back to this tomorrow

[robertoneill]

Hahah the trousers are just the business!!

[mandyg.]

This is ideal for player that slice the ball! What about players that fight a hook??

[brykidla]

Two kids are coming to the PGA Tour soon to watch for that swing like this. Johnny Ruiz and Matthew Wolff. Students of George Gankas.

[thomaswalent]

He has a section in the book about how to produce intentional draws/fades

[alandunne]

This is great advice for the average golfer. Try it, it will make the game easier.

[michie]

I had tried it this morning however, I am unable to get that 'baseball' (down) swing in it. The golf ball just went anywhere but desired straight.  Just wondering what I might have lacked.  On a happier note, with the A swing, I feel that I load up better on my right.  I guess more practise to get this right.

[richardnorth]

Not sure why David does not do one continuous swing. He always (in his other videos also) narrates and stops partway back, then completes the swing. You can see this starting at about 1:20 into the video. It's like you have to get into his suggested shaft position by going very slowly and thus avoiding a nice flowing, continuous swing.

[UnwantedExplosion]

@Just sunny, look at Kelvin Miyahiras stuff

[jimhunter]

Lydia Ko won a golf tournament in Canada using the A Swing (8/23/15) She's 5'5" weighs no more than 130 lbs, and was hitting 250+ yard drives, and a 160 yard 8 iron. My results are less but similar.

[stoneyredd]

David, what about intentional hooks and fades when needed ?

[HaroldNmb]

Those articulating their negative comments probably carry a 25 handicap.Years ago Moe Norman with his unique swing was thought to be out in left field.If you really follow golf and the changes that have evolved over the years....Well you know the rest of the story.

[geraldbrowndds]

Only follow his ideas if you want to make golf easier. Do the backswing as he suggests with a very steep shaft and the hands inside the club head. You want to try to cross the line. If you reach this point you will hit a nice shot unless your lurch or get out of tempo.

[davidhenryandthemysterons]

David is a pro you don, t no what your talking about .