How To Really Start The Downswing (It’s Not What You Think!)

Rob Cheney explains that the secret to a powerful downswing is moving the hands and arms quickly from the top, rather than over-rotating the body. He demonstrates that peak hand speed should occur at P5 (lead arm parallel) and provides a specific braking drill using an alignment stick to fix casting and improve ball compression.

• Peak hand speed in a professional swing occurs at P5 (lead arm parallel in the downswing).
• Firing the lower body too aggressively from the top often leaves the hands stuck behind, forcing a cast or flip to reach the ball.
• The 'braking' action at P6 (shaft parallel) is essential for transferring energy from the arms to the clubhead.
• The lead arm should move down and away from the chest early in the transition, not stay pinned to it.
• Practicing with a light alignment stick helps train the nervous system to move the arms faster without the weight of the club causing premature release.

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