A solid golf downswing is the key to consistently striking the golf ball with power and accuracy.
In this YouTube lesson from Performance Golf instructors JT Thomas and Eric Cogorno, they break down two essential moves that can make or break your downswing. Using a simple quadrant system, they explain how body movement and arm positioning can transform your ball striking.
The Importance of the Quadrant System in the Golf Swing
First, what is the downswing in golf?
The downswing in the golf swing is essentially the final motion from the top of the swing, down to the golf ball and impact. This also includes the crucial weight shift and torso movement that generates and creates the power in your golf swing.
To simplify the downswing, you can use a ground-based quadrant system that helps you to visualize the movement through the swing. The quadrants are numbered 1-4 in a clockwise formation, with quadrant one being the key area for proper downswing mechanics.
Golf Downswing Move #1: Getting the Body Forward
One of the most crucial elements of a successful downswing is shifting the body forward into quadrant 1 (seen below).
This move helps:
- Control the low point – Ensuring that you make ball-first contact and avoid fat or thin shots.
- Improve consistency – Many amateur golfers struggle with their low point, leading to inconsistent strikes. Moving forward early helps eliminate this issue.
- Sequence properly – By shifting weight forward, the rest of the swing can flow naturally.
JT demonstrates a simple drill where golfers place a club across their shoulders and rehearse the forward motion, feeling their mass move down and toward their lead leg. This helps create a more stable and repeatable downswing. We suggest watching the video to see how this move is done in real life!
Move #2: Keeping the Arms in Position
While shifting forward is crucial, keeping the arms in the correct position ensures an inside-out swing path. Many golfers struggle with slicing or pulling the ball because their arms move too far outward into quadrant 2. Instead, the goal is to:
- Keep the arms back in quadrant 3 during the initial downswing (see reference below)
- Prevent an over-the-top motion that leads to weak slices or pulls
- Maintain proper sequencing between the body and club for solid, compressed strikes
Most golfers will benefit from exaggerating these arm and torso movements in practice, even if it feels forced at first. Those who struggle with ball striking or directional control in the swing should really focus on these quadrants.
A Simple Drill for Instant Improvement
A great way to feel the correct downswing motion is by rehearsing with a club across your shoulders, focusing on:
- Moving the upper body down and forward toward quadrant 1.
- Feeling the arms stay back in quadrant 3 rather than casting outward into quadrant 2.
- Practicing small swings to ingrain the motion before hitting full shots.
Start the Downswing Correctly and See Success
Mastering the downswing starts with getting the body forward and keeping the arms in the right position. If you struggle with contact, focus on shifting your body first. If you tend to slice or pull, work on keeping the arms in quadrant 3. By following these key moves and using the quadrant system, you’ll start striking the ball more solidly and hitting more consistent shots.
For more in-depth swing fixes, check out Performance Golf’s expert training library, or for more free drills and tips, be sure to subscribe!
