Master the Simplest Downswing Move in Golf!

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In today's video you'll learn one of my favorite downswing drills to get you into a powerful, consistent impact position that will give you more compression and help you make solid contact. It will correct early extension and the classic "over-the-top" move that plagues so many amateur golfers. The key is getting the right amount of side bend. It will force you to rotate your body through the shot, and keep your arms connected to your body for better control and consistency.
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▶︎ ABOUT ZACH ALLEN ◀︎
Hi I'm Zach, thank you for visiting my channel. My goal here is to help you play the best golf of your life while having as much fun as possible!
I'm a PGA-certified golf instructor and have been coaching since 1997. I've been named a Golf Digest "Best Young Teacher," a GolfTips Magazine "Top 25 Golf Instructor," and Southern California PGA's Teacher of the Year. I've worked with golfers of all ages and levels, from 4-year-old beginners on up through touring professionals. My students have included nationally-ranked juniors, touring pros, celebrities, and CEOs, but wherever you're at on your golfing journey, my goal is always the same... to help YOU play your best golf!
I started playing competitive golf at a young age, ultimately reaching #3 in the California junior golf rankings - just behind another promising young golfer named Tiger Woods. I also played collegiate golf at the University of Southern California and professional golf on the Omega Asian Tour.
I work with students in-person at my studio in Valencia, CA, and teach golfers all around the world through my KZbin channel and on my website: ballstrikingblueprint.com. Thanks for stopping by and drop me a comment if you have any questions or would like to get in touch!

[@jincyayrattu6606]

Tnx a lot❤

[@midasman714]

Finally, a drill that i like! Makes total sense!!

[@MrGregPatmore]

Thats a great lesson Zach ...Kudos.

[@GPRenteria]

Saw this video by a great Coach, Zach Allen, for the first time today and I am delighted to say FANTASTIC! I have been off of playing golf due to neck surgery and have been having a really hard time getting back on track. I am now more enthused and ready to playing and having more fun. Thanks Coach!

[@steejsjurgens2107]

Great move and drill

[@user-jb2bi2wp8x]

Thank you

[@russquick7899]

Great session Zach. Could watch this over and over to ingrain the message. Many thanks-Russ

[@franksampson477]

Thank you so much for this incredibly helpful lesson. When I have tried to employ a more fundamentally sound down swing, the one thing that has held me back is the feeling of being too low to the ground. Today I just trusted your instruction and that allowed me to hit some really crisp shots.

[@daviddjj]

U are excellent at explaining

[@highgatehandyman6479]

I agree. The torso twist is the key to effortless power

[@jeffreytabourne]

Will commit to - It is a must. power, control and direction is incredible. I notice you have to get use to keeping your balance in both feet.... and stop hitting with hands and arms. thanks Zach!

[@HHHWLH]

Wow! This is an eye opener. This reveals how athletic you need to be. Thanks, Zach.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Just minor improvements on a daily basis will add up over time.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Interesting. Thank you Zac. As someone who has been playing for over 40 years with the last 30 years in single digits, I’m still learning this game we love and always looking to improve. Will definitely be giving this a go to drop a couple of digits from my handicap. 👍😎🇦🇺

[@generaphaelian8893]

Super helpful. Side bend really makes the difference. Thanks! 🤟

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Yes it does!

[@bertpainter8385]

Always love golf swing drills with a hockey stick for golf. It just feels like the proper motion for the golf swing as long as you don't hit the golf ball like a puck. I almost by-passed this video. Glad I didn't. Probably the only person I've seen admit that the side spin move is not physically easy, especially for some of us seniors. My older sore back can't keep up with my still young mind for too many swings in a row. So watching you teach the correct way to tilt with side bend should help this body by practicing without the club and still be able to do the move over and over. I hope after I've created the muscle memory by practicing the move without the club, I can play a round since we get enough rest in between shot waiting our turn. Though making solid contact after learning the move will be interesting to see how it goes. I like this video. And I've search for a long time seeing which videos and teachers are basically teaching the golf swing techniques and drills in a similar manner. Instead of conflicting with one another on how the swing is supposed to be.

[@greggroh6253]

I think this lesson is the most important one I've seen from you, Zach. I recently finished drilling this move into my own swing and discovered it not only maximizes power but it also creates greater directional control. I'm 72 so I'm now noticing some things I didn't need to pay attention to when I was a strong young buck. I believe the reasons older golfers struggle with a proper golf swing is losing strength in their legs and also losing touch with their tummy muscles, neither of which I struggle with thankfully. For me, I need to consciously feel by abs engaging at address because that's what controls the body movements during the swing. Of course, no one can execute or repeat a proper golf swing with weak or tired legs. If you ask me, working the trail shoulder underneath is really the magic move.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Right on I think you are spot on. At 72, 62, or 52, we all start to seek the path of least resistance when hitting the golf ball. And that manifests in some poor or weak habits. Wether that be weak posture, a flippy release, or early extending in the down swing. All ways to hit the ball that can work sometimes, but actually are physically easier ways to hit the ball. Then setting up with engaged abs, or keeping pressure on the shaft at impact by continuing to turn the body, or squatting and side bending to start the down swing rather than early extending, and throwing arms at it.

[@debfarmer2300]

I agree totally.very simple presentation.I have fought early extension for awhile.tried a lot of different approaches but I like this the best.Good job by Zach👍

[@georgevasquez1085]

Awesome drill!

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@angeloasis5906]

Awesome Zack !

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Thanks!

[@kmwong5348]

Thank you Zach for this useful lesson. For senior golfers without much flexibility to do a proper side bend, what would you recommend?

[@bokkim3883]

Wow!

[@lenardtan7169]

Great explaination video tips

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@drchimichanga]

I'm so annoyed right now. I've taken several lessons in the past few years and never once has this been suggested to feel a proper downswing. This drill just completely fixed my arsmy over-the-top move. In about 15 minutes.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Wow that is fantastic, love to hear it!

[@robchristie4674]

Agreed. But it hurts my bad knee. Guess that is why I started coming up in the first place. Wish I had seen this before the injuries took their toll. Great video sir!

[@ericdumont610]

Fantastic video Zack, love your teaching.

[@rbauer1632]

As someone who came across this with my own experimentation and one of your videos of Tiger's exaggerated pushing his butt back there is one word that describes the essential feeling- CRUNCHING!

[@pohoresky]

Brilliant explanation. Thank you.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

You are welcome

[@afs-drew9644]

This has to be 'the' foundation piece to the golf swing. Zach you made it so understandable and demystified the motion. More instructors need to start watching your work. If more people started with the proper foundation - they would enjoy the sport so much more !! Thank you. Highly recommended. You are one of the best instructors ever !!

[@ZachAllenGolf]

That is great to hear, glad it helped you understand a really important part of the swing.

[@hijojo5061]

I will try ,thx

[@ZachAllenGolf]

All the best

[@jackvojticek5857]

Great lesson 😊

[@ZachAllenGolf]

thanks

[@RichardB-dp8ed]

Zach is a great instructor for seniors

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Thanks sir

[@thomasboucher9820]

Zack, this is probably the best video I’ve seen on the golf swing. I am a young senior 😊 who has been struggling with back pain by turning too much. The side bend move while leveraging the ground is a game changer for me. Thanks for the great advice!

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Absolutely

[@ZachAllenGolf]

I got it on Ebay.

[@jbw749]

I've been working on more torso rotation and covering the ball, so as soon as you grabbed the hockey stick, I knew this was going to be good. The key like you said is the not to rotate and let the side bend create the rotation. To me it feels like I'm driving the right knee with some crunch under my right rib cage.

[@woolf9035]

omg thank you. i was doing this excessive "fake" turn and this feels soooooooo much more natural

[@jpa_fasty3997]

THIS is the missing bit of info for me. I've got my swing into a place I'm happy with through really studying the golf swing and my own swing. In slow mo I can make the perfect golf swing, but as soon as I add speed, I'm pitching the shaft so steep and dragging across the line to play a power fade. No matter what I do I can't get the club loading behind the hands for a power draw. I look at my swing and compare to Rory, Scott and DJ, three different swings and they all have the club loading behind the hands. Now it makes sense. This move actually forces you into that position. What a great video, thank you so much.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Man love to see people really digging in to figure things out. Good luck sir

[@stevekeller3643]

Zach, Have seen that drill before (merry-go-round ?), but your explanation & presentation was very well done. One question: I thought I detected more side bend with the hockey stick than once switching to the club ? Maybe because with the club you were showing more incrementally ? Thanks

[@garyeverest6178]

Mr Allen, Thank you! You have reduced about five "swing thoughts" down to side bend. And, I can do that!😊 The great things that result: hip clearing, solid contact, straight ball flight, and feeling very good about your game.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Wow, nice I love simplicity

[@ChuckS7546]

I like the way you teach the golf swing. You concentrate more on what "should" be done in the swing apposed to what "not" to do. Thanks!

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Thanks appreciate it

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Thanks glad you liked it.

[@garytrethewey6141]

Zach..Which is the best for impact striking the ball.? Gary NewZealand. Appreciate your comments.?

[@RobertMacCready]

Liked and Sub's. Excellent video. Thanks!!

[@Tigersmundo]

*Swing the sweet spot*

[@johnrenock4835]

Zach, another KZbin instructor says to “hit the ball with with your trail shoulder”. Same feeling.

[@kenpaveley1572]

Great drill, Zach - my swing has been too flat so at the moment trying to get my left shoulder down to the ball on backswing for a better plane - also had lesson last week and I’m a little bit too far bent over at address. But this is one of the best downswing tips I’ve seen. All the best Ken, London.

[@robertr6375]

Great video. This works for irons, but can't seem to make it work with the driver...any suggestions?

[@ZachAllenGolf]

I believe starting with irons would be the best way to go, but should surely carry this into your driver swing. Takes some practice, but well worth it. Will allow you to hit up from underneath with the driver, High launch and low spin, rather than down and across resulting.

[@MarlaineOlson]

Zach completely corrected my thoughts on the swing! I finally see what the “ turn” is not!

[@billamador1]

I'm confused. You said in previous videos to straighten the right elbow then turn?

[@carlosfreitasdasilva9150]

Zach, Side bending in the downswing makes me hit first the ground behind the ball and then the ball. Does that mean that I am turning the hips too late or instead of that my arms are too far away from my body ? Thanks for your comments, Carlos

[@rodneyblackwell7477]

That was what I thought could happen if I tried this. I guess need to look at slow mo videos of your swing to see what is happening. Are u moving closer to the ball or too much right hand or...

[@bh5606]

Body..Williing...biggest challenge I will have...

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

Yes. Pretty difficult. Stretch a lot and work on core, flutes and hamstrings.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Even if it improves just a little, you will be striking the ball better. Doesn't need to be Joaquin Niemann

[@bh5606]

@@ZachAllenGolf Would be hospitslized if I tried Joaquin.

[@JohnMartin-ng5ug]

How long is the hockey stick? Looks a lot longer than a driver.

[@thefishnmusician9667]

My problem is with driver not shifting weight to the lead leg. I have trouble sequencing and trying to keep arms from taking over at the top. Where is the shift in this so i dont end up either spinning out or fallinng back on trail foot

[@thomasfraser9072]

Hi Zack I get what you are saying but deliberate side bending has caused me personal harm in the past. If a golfer bends sufficiently from their hips as they aim and lay their club on the ground next to their ball; and then unlock their knees; isn’t that sufficient bending of the body without the need to deliberately side bend or squat more by consciously lowering their trail shoulder as they are swinging their club? I bend my body to start with and then with my twitching my trail right elbow inward and immediately swinging my club my swing is executed in no time and it it actually prevents any premature extension of my body from ever happening in my swing and my 76 years old body naturally unwinds rotating to the left for a classic finish. Cheers 🥂

[@ZachAllenGolf]

It sounds like you have figured out a good path to the right impact. Make sure to video your swing, and see if it all looks correct.

[@micheletripault9756]

can you explain how to place the smartphone. Thanks.@@ZachAllenGolf

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

Yes funny. I do this drill. Found a hockey stick in the trash. I use a not so soft object to hit. A lacrosse ball and then a tennis ball and then some 7-8 irons with partial swings. Zach is right its not easy but if you are flexible and strong enough this is GOLD.

[@steveng8727]

Thanks Zach, perhaps good for the youngsters, but for us seniors it looks tough on the lower back.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

You do have a point, it is a bit tougher as you age. But if you can just gain some a little flexion, and side bend a bit more, it will lead to better shots. Progress not perfection.

[@walterrush5465]

I am 81 and can get to the impact position but it is tough to follow thru.@@ZachAllenGolf

[@prosforecharitygolfeventse8197]

A completed professionally for 6 years as a + 2 without ever having sidebend. Today at 60 im a 3 hdcp with a great short game but a 15 with iron play. This move is foreign to me and difficult to do but I know its the key to hitting my irons better and not missing so many greens

[@thefishnmusician9667]

Use Tommy Fleetwood's pushing lead hip back and the club falls behind you and side bend is a consequence of this rather than forcing yourself get into this position

[@ZachAllenGolf]

As long as it gets the job done. Any feel is appropriate.

[@mitchsanborg7718]

Hump the goat? Classy.

[@ayotollaofrockandrolla7219]

Reminds me of a freezer drill. You leave those hands up. And than try and hit the ball having them stay up.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Good explanation.

[@lolobuggah2670]

When you say "It's side bend with a little but of flexion." Does that mean your bending forward from the hips?

[@coasterchum8289]

Hump the goat 🐐😂

[@kevinmurphy8644]

When trying to access the free training - continually says missing required argument- whatever that is 🤷

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Hmm, are you seeing this message when you try to submit your email address? Or were you able to successfully sign up, but are seeing this message when you try to click the link to the lesson in the email?

[@cornalien8435]

If I ever find a tip that actually works I’m gonna immediately send the guy $500

[@Kameronwest1991]

Heck yeah dude I feel the same way

[@TimChump]

The only thing I’ve found that works for me is having my hips massively open at address. But for some bizarre reason I don’t use it anywhere near as much as I should If your still relatively flexible try it

[@sobaze]

😂

[@frednewcomb9510]

If one is an everyday regular golfer, there is so much in there to benefit from. To me, his whole body structure frames the movement of the parts. Think of yourself as one giant colossal skeleton cage Tyranasorous Rex. As you move slowly at first, many of his individual tip movements will be contained in your swing. The guy is brilliant!

[@ZachAllenGolf]

I"m gonna hold you to that.

[@kathykorbel1101]

There is so much contradictory content on the internet it is no wonder no one gets better. For example, Pete Cowens says just the opposite. The body reacts to the moving of the arms.

[@rackum44]

99% of people don't have a hockey stick

[@kj475]

For the life of me, I cannot get my hands and club into the follow through position you get to in these videos. I keep watching you do it and try to duplicate your motion and just cannot naturally get there. It's very confounding.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Sorry to hear that, hopefully a few more reps and you will have it. I really like the effort though.

[@mshahidulislam9347]

When you introduce hockey stick to teach golf club use you have a serious problem.

[@nicholasdemetriades9154]

Uh -- no! Went from shooting under par 3 years ago to +9 over up to 16 over par. Now back to +2--+7 over last few months with my own version of this drill

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Man I love it, sometimes you need to get creative and think outside the box.

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Different sport but using a stick to hit an object on the ground.

[@otto319]

P r o m o s m ❗

[@sausagembape677]

It's the simplest way to find something under your feet.....

[@RobertJohanssonRBImGuy]

Leads to injury and short distance hitting 90% of all male golfers hit 250y and shorter 99% of all golfers cant play a golf course the way it set up aka par. Less than 10% can get to single handicap in their lifetime. If you teach conceptually and dont understand golfswing mechanics, this is what happens

[@ZachAllenGolf]

Not sure I hear what you are disputing, just stating facts of how difficult it is to play good golf. I'm guessing you crush the ball and are shooting under par most days.