The Secret To Starting Your Downswing Correctly (90% get this wrong)

[@bobm9740]

Eric and his guests are excellent. Detailed explanation without being overly complicated.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks bob! Appreciate it

[@2asupporter4life20]

Excellent job explaining the proper drop into the swing. So many instructional videos can’t explain or show the mechanics of these two movements. Well done, gents!

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it!!

[@MasonChambers]

JT and Eric quickly becoming my go to source. This and the hands straight at 45° demo have radically changed my contact and consistency.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it Mason!

[@antoinetypeish]

Officially my new online swing coach. Very glad i caught you on Grant Horvats channel. Clearest, most effective direction I've found anywhere.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate your support! Thanks for being here with us!

[@JLNHB]

Damn, just by trying it out in the living room with my shortened club I can say that I have never felt or done this before. My instinct is to go from 3 to 4 immediately. Very cool idea and very relatable. You two have some absolute gems online. Thank you!

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate the support! Hope this one serves you well!

[@patbutler6467]

Thanks Eric! Love the way you explain things, my swing is so much better because of you.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love to hear this Pat! Appreciate ya watching!

[@tcruts]

I just took this to the range and the results were very positive. My two thoughts were “quadrant” which triggered my chest/ribs to move more outwards/down/angled to quadrant 1, and “under” which triggered my arms to drop more downwards and closer to my body. The result was I felt like I had more side bend than ever before, I felt like I wasn’t swinging as hard yet the ball travelled the same distance and even further in some cases, and my contact was solid 90% of the time. And when I tried to swing as hard as I typically do, the ball travelled 15-ish yards farther than normal…I typically hit my 7 iron 165 and I hit the 181 flag several times. Hoping the same results happen next time…. Thank you for the video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love to hear that! Appreciate you letting us know---always good to confirm the positive results!!

[@2asupporter4life20]

I will add. Personally, as a single digit handicap player, I have found Eric to be one of, if not the best instructors right now. Small things matter when your goal is to break 80 consistently.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you for those kind words and support---I'll be rooting for you!

[@phildodd4117]

Love the video . Tiger changes his spine angle as he starts downswing and rotates his hips before bringing club to horizontal. This feels as though it is the shoulder hitting at the ball and not the arms. Tried it and hit every ball straight with a divot as it produced great lag. I found the right hit rotation was critical in getting great contact. Thanks for a great video again.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it Phil!

[@jonq8714]

The pushing towards the front quadrant seems like it could help me solve one of my biggest issues: missing off the toe of the club, which I do a lot and I tend to be 1 to 3 degrees in to out, but my club face is very frequently 6-9 degrees closed, and just as frequently 1 degree up instead of 3 degrees down AoA. Gonna give this feel a go.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one helps!

[@DanGonsalves]

I literally just got back from the range after seeing this drill. Huge help! Thank you! 🙏

[@CogornoGolf]

Great to hear Dan!!

[@gamingwithdjroux9976]

Movement into quadrant one is absolute money. Completely changed the quality of my strikes.

[@CogornoGolf]

Love it!

[@Tigersmundo]

*You two are highly skilled KZbin educators who can clearly comprehend your message to the viewers. However, it is important not to underestimate the impact of the efforts made by the lower half in adding that extra panache to the impact. It reminds me of a rhyme that highlights the balance between what rises and what falls. 😉*

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you :)

[@mcgolfer1221]

This quadrant idea seems brilliant. Can't wait to try

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks! Yes...Jt showed me that one and I loved it as well!

[@ajfatca]

will try this out, I dont have an over the top problem I have a getting the weight forward and flipping my hands problem, thanks!

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this helps....try this one as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4WcpGV4aKt7naM&pp=ygUeRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIGdldCBvZmYgYmFjayBmb290

[@rpmfoto]

I’ll add my 2 cents. I’ve suffered from early extension and loss of balance for years because I tried to follow this formula (sort of). Your words are spot on but the missing link for me was learning to put pressure on my right heel BEFORE this movement. Once I did that, I got rid of early extension and I finished my swing like Rory. Perfect balance!

[@CogornoGolf]

Love that!!

[@MichaelSeverini]

Great tip. Whenever I practice moving body into quadrant 1 on the downswing the issue I have is I chunk the ball. I tend to be over the top with my swing so I’m thinking that maybe my arms aren’t dropping enough behind me now that my body is moving more forward.

[@CogornoGolf]

Could be Michael....yeah I would have to see I would check 1. You have enough body rotation (pelvis and ribcage open more) 2. Shorten trail arm/trail wrist (keep trail arm more bent and trail wrist more bent back) the more down the body goes.....something else needs to shorten (trail arm and wrist) I go over that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6Wqg5lpe7iMaZY&pp=ygUWRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHN0YXkgZG93bg%3D%3D

[@3-wv5mm]

Interesting... Never seen the quadrants broken down like that but it makes a lot of sense. Good stuff!

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it!

[@ClaroCapilla]

This is really good! I think this will also help with my ground force issues; I tend to "push off" too late which necessitates my upper body to compensate. As for the comment of this being too complicated - I disagree. I don't like being partially informed. I like this format.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it Claro!

[@matthewrmusarra]

love this one, thanks so much!! JT and Eric FTW!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you sir :)

[@SoCalGolfer1966]

This is what I’ve been waiting for, as everybody talks clearing the lower body and at my age 57 it’s just not always physically possible! Over the top is my curse! Going out to work on this today thank you!!! ⛳️ one question can concept be used with woods as well?

[@CogornoGolf]

Glad to hear that---our pleasure! For driver the head/shoulder needs to stay more back We go over the differences with this with driver here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/invXqWCni7iajLc&pp=ygUhRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIEdvbGYgIGRyaXZlciB2cyBpcm9u

[@SoCalGolfer1966]

@@CogornoGolf thank you!

[@lootina]

this is great, Thanks Eric. Would you say driver swing be the same approach being first move to quadrant 1?

[@CogornoGolf]

Want to keep the head and lead shoulder bit more BACK with driver.....I go over that in more detail here I think you will like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLSqZt3ltmpZ7c

[@bdyt]

I like the quadrant idea. First time seeing it taught like that

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it---I really liked that when Jt showed me as well!!

[@peterdeduke1962]

Eric, the drill where you drop the club head behind you. Does that also apply to the driver?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Peter! Yes!

[@stevestrang480]

It never fails that I’m working on a move and then you come out with a lesson on that move. But please followup with the finish extension piece. That’s where I struggle. Thanks

[@CogornoGolf]

We got ya covered Steve :)

[@terrywalls3910]

Love the video Eric! ❤ Getting my ribs/shoulder forward is something I’ve working on with my teaching pro. I tend to get my left hip beyond the ankle and then I “spin” with my weight still on my trail side. One thing I would liked to have seen included in your video is the role of the shift in pressure in the feet to facilitate the movement of the ribs and shoulder. I’ve been working with a pressure plate / balance board to help me rewire my feels and the key movement for me has been to “roll” the outside of my right foot slightly up as I’m beginning the transition. The video of Tiger shows a slight movement and it looks like in your swing, you’re doing the same? Would love your thoughts on shifting pressure in the feet to facilitate the start of the downswing. Thanks!

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate the feedback and thoughts Terry---maybe good topic for future videos!

[@TomSawyer42i]

Almost 300k subscribers! Well done Eric, not long now. 🙂 Great video again.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Tom! Appreciate the support!

[@hardy5625]

The quadrant picture is great. I will use this.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate it! Hope it serves you well!!

[@stephenpatti2375]

Great video! What are the adjustments for driver when hitting up on the ball.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Stephen! For driver the head/shoulder needs to stay more back We go over the differences with this with driver here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/invXqWCni7iajLc&pp=ygUhRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIEdvbGYgIGRyaXZlciB2cyBpcm9u

[@stephenpatti2375]

Thanks Eric

[@gary67167]

Very very good question though Stephen….. this is silent in the video and really should have been covered off…. So much conflicting information out there. But also there is instruction out there to not move (“the body parts”, especially the butt, and hips) out of the line (or channel/box they are in) that is present at the transition point. Yet alone the shoulders that are of course ultimately influencing the clubs position. So surely the shoulders are not to move in to quadrant 1.

[@mattgordon3437]

Love this! Jess Frank is great!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks!!

[@gary67167]

We are always told though that at transition the back most edge of the buttocks must not come forward towards the ball, and in some instruction, (and backed up in some ‘slow motion proof videos’) we are told to have it going a little bit further away from the ball line as it ‘squats’. So, my question is, is the “movement” of the ribs downwards towards quadrant 1 an “actual” physical motion (regardless of how miniscule it might be) or is it a “feeling”…. Because surely with everything connected (in a skeleton sense), any real movement of the rib towards quadrant 1 must therefore have the buttock line coming forwards out of ‘its’ line as well……. UNLESS it is a ‘feeling’ you are talking about going in to Quadrant 1…. When really the physical movement that is shown is actually in to the left foots ‘ball’ which is in Quadrant 4….because we are told to push off the ball of the left foot immediately backwards. So…..so confused…..Please clarify for us all. Further to that point the ‘shoulders’ (and therefore the arms and club) must be coming forwards towards the balls line as well if we move in to Quadrant 1.

[@gh50hill1]

Great tip, thanks it helped.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you!

[@mddraino31]

I struggle all the time with my hips getting ahead of my torso and this is a great reference point to improve that. I’m curious about the quadrant 1 finish because I’ve always focused on finishing towards my lead foot heel. Curious your thoughts on the difference of finishing on that lead heel.

[@CogornoGolf]

Yeah it would be more of a timing thing.... Getting to quadrant 1 is the EARLY half of the downswing.....then you gotta get out of it and back into Q4 (to lead heel)

[@kalikimaka1]

Do you want to start this feel before reaching the top of the backswing? I feel like I have been told that we need to be moving back to the left side before we reach the top.

[@CogornoGolf]

Technically pressure is shifting forward as arms are still moving back BUT I would think of this more right when you start down

[@jjcampbell3654]

Hi Eric you are saying that the first move on the downswing transition is to move the sternum over the left foot or left side over the left foot by the time left arm is parallel I thought the first move is the transfer weight and the rotation of the left hip back can you clarify thanks for your help kindly advise Jack

[@CogornoGolf]

You want to feel ALL of it moving.... From the top until about left arm parallel Weight to left, left knee down and forward, left hip down/forward/around, around, rigcabe down/forward/around.....sternum the same.....everything This is only that first like foot tho....head goes forward too. With driver head stays more back Check this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKLSqZt3ltmpZ7c

[@SeekingDelta101]

Good video, not complicated at all. In fact I enjoy the extra level of detail. As someone who pulls the ball I’ll be trying this out. Thanks!

[@CogornoGolf]

Hope this one helps ya!!

[@CogornoGolf]

For pulls I would also check out these: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2q3l2iaYtxrotU&pp=ygUSRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHB1bGxz kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5OomGR3otOoeLs&pp=ygUeRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIGhvdyBpIGZpeGVkIHB1bGxz

[@antonio-W6]

Supervideo, many thanks!!!

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you!!

[@bobkreft1618]

does this also work for driver shots?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Bob! For driver the head/shoulder needs to stay more back We go over the differences with this with driver here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/invXqWCni7iajLc&pp=ygUhRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIEdvbGYgIGRyaXZlciB2cyBpcm9u

[@scotthampton7724]

Watching from Australia...

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate you being here with us, Scott!

[@linlishu]

Super important! Fix my bug! Thx

[@CogornoGolf]

:)

[@MrBrokentowels]

Great video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks !

[@rjswish]

Dumb question but same for long clubs?

[@CogornoGolf]

Same ideas yep! Head more back with driver

[@jmb7196]

Hogan golf swing ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@CogornoGolf]

:) Thanks for watching!

[@tmc3980]

So good ❤

[@CogornoGolf]

Thank you!

[@richardelgart8420]

Terrific video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Thanks Richard!

[@dicknelson1229]

Maybe I'm missing something but JT's head moving so far forward on the downswing was a disconnect for me. In all the Tiger swings his head stays in the 'circle' unlike JT's. Getting the sternum in front of the belly button seems impossible to do/feel w/o moving the head forward. Confused...

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey dick! Thanks for watching and the feedback! Yeah just a bit of an over exaggeration there to really drive home the point. Generally with an iron you will see head from top of backswing move slightly forward from top to left arm parallel in downswing (so only the very beginning) then it stays there through the ball until about arms parallel to the ground Then it will release up and forward Hope that helps

[@stephensmith8823]

add tracers please

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Stephen! Thanks for the feedback---I will see if the team can find a way to add those where it doesn't take too long to add.

[@pigslefats]

I will have to rotate madly after left arm parallel so as not to fat it. Exactly what is "round the corner"

[@CogornoGolf]

Yes! Around the corner is the rotation, the lead shoulder works out of Q1 and works back to Q3 Lead shoulder works up and back then through the ball along with ribcage and pelvis....which arcs the hand path back in Like a circle like this I think you'll like the second half of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3-sppWwbJZ4rKs&pp=ygUeRXJpYyBDb2dvcm5vIHN3aW5nIGluIGEgY2lyY2xl

[@aboynamedsandoz]

JT needs a KZbin channel

[@CogornoGolf]

For sure! HEs awesome

[@wraithconscience]

Great video, guys. I notice one particular difference between JT and ERIC -- Eric, your left knee bends and turns out. JT's left knee bends more and turns out less. This would lead me to believe that with JT, his torso can overtake his knee in moving down and forward on the downswing, facilitating an -- in the best sense -- "lazier" downswing, but just as powerful, whereas with you, Eric, the power come with speed of the strike. Am I doing anybody an injustice here? I hope not. Just learning and trying to understand the mystery! Anyway, thanks Eric! (and JT)

[@joncreazzo8962]

I think that’s just a result of Eric’s lead foot being more flared than JT at setup.

[@scottcope7922]

Who's the better player? Eric or JT?

[@CogornoGolf]

Good question! Maybe we will have to play a match...We've played maybe 3-4 times and we are pretty even

[@benthomas9082]

Great stuff, some of theses comments 😂😂😂. Could have used Rory as a great example also! Talk about a guy that does the exact thing probably better then anyone right now and seems to work pretty good for him🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@CogornoGolf]

👊Thanks Ben! Hope this one helps your game!

[@gerarddaelemans7262]

In all the slow mo demo's of what you want us to do,,your head is 6 in to a foot in front of the ball,,, whereas when you actually hit the ball, your head is still over the ball. Tighten up Eric

[@CogornoGolf]

Lol just exaggerating a bit there All the best

[@scottmurray7283]

Looks like a shank move 😮

[@CogornoGolf]

:) Haha I hear ya....Key is only doing it EARLY in the downswing.....then like we said toward end of video have to still turn the corner left from there with the hand path/body

[@4thebeatles]

I see what you are saying about hitting down and out .... but it looks like you have way too much head movement?

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey! I hear ya....exaggerating here to really how the motion. With irons the head should move down and forward SOME.....from about the top of the backswing until left arm parallel in the downswing....then it stays there through impact until arms parallel in follow through

[@RonE-ks1ko6pc8]

Great video Eric, but Eric your left knee is saggy at impact, take that left knee straight back before impact, look at Tiger his left knee is straight, JT is close. You're both are moving to forward, its less movement than you think. But great video.

[@CogornoGolf]

Agreed---something I need to keep an eye on. Thanks!

[@keithweist3879]

You've got to keep your head behind the ball, like Tiger Woods . Moving your head forward with the lowering of the ribcage is a disaster.

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey Keith! Thanks for the thoughts. Head moving down and forward with an iron from top of backswing to about left arm parallel in downswing very normal. From there it stays back until about arms parallel in follow through The pelvis will obviously continue moving forward as this happens. Feeling of the ribcage forward only for FIRST part of downswing Of course as the lead side moves forward the trail side is side bending to keep the head back. We may be over exaggerating the move here a bit for visual effect hope that helps!

[@frankcanzanella6753]

By lagging the club head in the downswing, we force ourselves to rotate in order to get the club head down to the ball.

[@CogornoGolf]

For sure

[@frankcanzanella6753]

Thanks for the thumbs up Eric. I drive a NYC taxi for 51 years. I look over my right shoulder to address the passengers. If I have my head turned to the right in the backswing then I won’t be able to get my left shoulder up and around.

[@TheChismillionaire]

I came to see the only one who plays RF blades(including RF) give a lesson.

[@scottcope7922]

I see many young and old top notch instructors with great swings on U Tube. I'm curious as to (that definitive moment) when these instructors realize they are not able to play at the highest level.

[@CogornoGolf]

Haha for me it was end of high school early college.....when you see just how good some of the other guys are :)

[@wolfgangkehrer618]

I assume this is for irons only.

[@TheEugenelee13]

Yep, same question. Do you try to get to that quadrant 1 for driver too?

[@CogornoGolf]

for sure more exaggerated with irons....head more back with driver

[@ctaylor1285]

Bros...what's the drill for this?

[@CogornoGolf]

Yo! The part 3/4 of the way through where I'm doing the club across shoulders with the quadrant on ground

[@rickzabrodski5767]

The concept like. The description not so much. Can you describe this is less than 10 words?

[@CogornoGolf]

Body to quadrant 1 Arms to quadrant 3 Theres 8 for ya :)

[@vikfm8655]

8:30

[@valleydairy]

When he takes a real swing his head and Tiger's doesn't move down and forward at all. LOOK.

[@CogornoGolf]

For sure---its more a FEEL than REAL....

[@TML34]

Don't love this one... couple of concerns: 1. This movement encourages moving towards the ball = BAD 2. Promotes hands getting "stuck" behind you = BAD Getting in a more forward position only works if you're also keeping your head steady through impact. I think you really need to emphasize the relationship between your hips/torso and head position. If your head follows this forward movement too much, you're going to be very inconsistent.

[@kwallin8136]

Show me one good ballstriker that doesn’t move towards the ball

[@CogornoGolf]

Hey @TML thanks for the feedback---I hear ya! I think what we were saying here is that most golfers move AWAY from the ball too much....... And their hands go OUT too much....... So if that's true (away from ball with body and out with hands)...... They would need to FEEL......FEEL.....these pieces.......just to get to neutral. Sorry I didn't explain that better in video. Of course you can OVERDO or UNDERDO anything....I think the main message here was most people move away from ball with arms/hands out....so feeling these just to get to neutral. Hope that helps!

[@TML34]

@@CogornoGolf that's a fair point. I do forget that we need to FEEL these movements in order to correct them. I really do love your vids though, they've really helped. 👍

[@gunnarjinx]

Really sorry ... but NO GOOD GOLFER moves the torso ahead of their belly button on their down swing .... what a crap.... even that video of Tiger early on one can clearly see he doesn't do that ... cause NOBODY does that.... if u find ONE professional that does that .... please put that video up!!!! Eric.... please don't teach some crap and damage golfers ... ur not known for that....

[@CogornoGolf]

haha I hear ya....its more FEEL than REAL :)

[@rpmfoto]

Yeah not so much. Your interpretation of Eric’s words is way too literal. Read the fine print and understand the feels!

[@nelsbhoy]

Sorry too complicated.....watch Tom Saguto or Jimmy Tropicana for more simplicity.

[@ST-xg3gy]

Nels, stop the recording, rewind, pause try again.

[@bdyt]

Saguto takes other teacher's stuff imo

[@box0bang]

I disagree with too complicated, a more in depth explanation could really help someone understand why you do certain things in the golf swing

[@bj146651]

Depends man. Think this is a great explanation. Depends on how you learn. I just started 8 months ago golf and this finally clicked. Like saguto but I like the traditional way not stack and tilt. But I see what you’re saying. It’s a great game and so many ways to understand it. But this video for sure made the most sense to me. Cheers man. Good luck out there.

[@CogornoGolf]

Appreciate the feedback! Thats an interesting one for me as I've been coaching now for about 15 years I've found that IN person its easy..... You know right away how simple you need to make it based on the persons questions and feedback...you can tailor the message to one person. But online if 30,000 people watch it...then what do you do? 10,000 want it more simple 10,000 want it as it is 10,000 want even more details So what gives? :) So I've decided we try and ride the middle ground to best we can. Anyway---just thinking outloud....open to any feedback to keep making these better for you guys!

[@markhathaway4816]

Eric disrupted the guest and ruined the presentation. Leaving the guest, who seems like a gifted instructor, to show and tell, would have avoided the complication.

[@CogornoGolf]

Dang---thanks for the feedback Mark...sorry about that! I'll keep working to get better at that!

[@TooHonestButtTrue]

Were you high when you watched?