Does anyone else try to create a stretch at the start of the downswing?

I don't know that I have come across this concept watching Tom's videos but I would not doubt that he has covered in the past. I believe it is called the X-Factor Stretch by some (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwgq1fLt61k)

What I mean by stretch, and I have mentioned it several times in other posts, is the fealing that your trail shoulder and palm are continuing to move back while you start the downswing with a bump of the lower body toward the target. The bump can be moving your lead hip moving toward the target, shifting the trail knee toward the target (which is working very well for me right now) or probably several other moves I am not familiar with.

It is very hard for me to do this every time because the tendency for me is to start the downswing with my trail arm and shoulder (beautiful over the top move!) But if I can start the downswing with a slow, methodical shift of my trail knee toward the target while I feel like I am still pulling back with my trail palm and shoulder, I get tremendous club head speed that feels effortless.

Has anyone out there had success with this method?

Thanks!

8 comments

8 Comments

rcissell56

Jun 05, 2023

Thanks Tom, that makes me feel much better and I appreciate the additional material! So an update on what I am focusing on now:

- Instead of looking at the inside back of the ball until after impact I am looking at a spot a few inches in front of the ball. I have used this method in that past with great success. Got away from it for a while, but it really does help with swing path and compression of the ball.

- I really want to make sure my trail elbow is pointing toward my body and that the bicept feels connected to the front of my rib cage (another Top 10 Tip from Tom!)

- To pull back the trail arm and shoulder at the start of backswing I use the tight connection between my thumb and forefinger of the trail hand to pull and continue to pull even at the start of the downswing.

- My downswing thought is to continue to look at the spot ahead of the ball and move my trail knee toward the target as if I am trying to touch my lead knee. This helps ensure a smooth and complete movement of the lower body toward the target.

I'm very happy with my swing now, but need to make sure I do not get sloppy on my setup or else it is very easy to turn crispy contact into the feeling of wading through the muck and mire.