Backswing and Downswing

I am relearning my golf swing and am trying to conceptualize the overall swing sequence. Can I please get some feedback on whether the paths of the Backswing and the Downswing are similar or quite different. I keep seeing the backswing as wider and oval while the downswing is sharper and narrower path back to the ball but longer through impact. Thanks in advance

-The path of the backswing is wider than the path of the downswing. If you were to trace the paths of both the backswing and the downswing. It would look like a crescent moon. Hope that helps

Thats what I meant but its nice to get some agreement from someone else. I keep getting told that the downswing and backswing should be very identical. Any thoughts on how I can hit down and take divots

Thanks very much Coach

-The path of the backswing is wider than the path of the downswing.  If you were to trace the paths of both the backswing and the downswing.  It would look like a crescent moon.  Hope that helps

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-To be able to do that, at some point you are going to have to create some lag in your downswing. You can do that by letting your arms drop from the top of the backswing or initiating the downswing with a bump to the left side with your lower body.

I would reccomend practicing in front of a mirror doing slow motion swings for 10-15 minutes every time you get a chance. Be sure to look at yourself both face on and down the line. You can learn a lot about your tendencies doing these slow motion "Tai Chi" swings

The ModelGolf folks (I'm beginning to really buy in to that process) and their book, Swing Like a Pro, describe the downswing as being slightly flatter due to the laying off of the club during transition. But at impact the centrifugal force causes the hands to pull up a bit. For that reason they prescribe to making sure your address position has the club somewhat toed up (upright).

If you trace the clubhead throughout the swing (think head on view), the crescent moon analogy is correct. The lag created in the downswing will naturally bring the club in narrower than the backswing. As far as swing path (think down the line view) is concerned, the downswing will ideally be SLIGHTLY flatter or underneath the backswing path. The reasons for this are many, and depending on who you ask you'd get a different answer. Gravity, inside approach, etc. all are good reasons. If it comes down the same path, that's okay also.......ala Hogan's pane of glass analogy.

What you don't want to do is have the downswing plane above the backswing plane.......aka over the top. While there are some good players who do this (Lietzke and Mayfair come to mind), they are the exception. The very great majority of good and great players have a slightly flatter downswing.

Thanks Coach, Ted and Don. Appreciate your thoughts and its great to hear some helpful advice (playing partners notwithstanding)

I am relearning my golf swing and am trying to conceptualize the overall swing sequence. Can I please get some feedback on whether the paths of the Backswing and the Downswing are similar or quite different. I keep seeing the backswing as wider and oval while the downswing is sharper and narrower path back to the ball but longer through impact. Thanks in advance

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I was taught to take the club straight back to start the backswing.

For the downswing, to bring in the elbow to gain speed (like an ice-skater speeds up her spin)

However, I don't know for sure what my planes are.

So I went to the mirror and took some slow practice swings.

It seems that the clubhead travels on a flatter plane coming down.

But, the plane of my left arm seems to be the same forward and back.

Also, I'm not a long hitter, 5-iron 175, but hit a good deal of straight and solid shots. A friend of my has a great deal of distance and has a left arm that dramatically falls down into a flatter plane. Reminds me of Duval's swing.

But different strokes for different folks...

For best results, combine with good instruction.

results = lessons

I am at this moment taking lessons and have learned a few things about my swing

1. My backswing was way too inside (guess i was overcompensating for my slice)

2. When my backswing was corrected the downswing came over the top and was regularly "casting"

This was my reason for asking assistance here on whether the backswing and downswing should be mirror copies of each other

My impression first is that if I "pull Down" with my arms and keep my wrists cocked I will achieve a longer delayed lag rather than my typical casting move.

Trial and error. I've got all winter to get this right LOL

I was taught to take the club straight back to start the backswing. 

For the downswing, to bring in the elbow to gain speed (like an ice-skater speeds up her spin) 

 

However, I don't know for sure what my planes are. 

So I went to the mirror and took some slow practice swings.

 

It seems that the clubhead travels on a flatter plane coming down. 

But, the plane of my left arm seems to be the same forward and back.

 

Also, I'm not a long hitter, 5-iron 175, but hit a good deal of straight and solid shots.  A friend of my has a great deal of distance and has a left arm that dramatically falls down into a flatter plane.  Reminds me of Duval's swing.

 

But different strokes for different folks...

For best results, combine with good instruction.

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There are many different plane angles that people can swing the clubshaft on. You can use a shoulder turn takeaway and bring it above your right shoulder and then shallow it out to the elbow plane on the downswing like VJ, Tiger, Howell III, etc.

Or you can take the club away a little steeper with a flatter shoulderturn and then come down a little steeper but you're still on plane like David Toms, Ernie Els, etc.

You have to see which works for you. But in general the "feel" is that the downswing is "flatter."

Also, as to hitting down and taking a divot your hands must lead the clubhead into impact. Hands first, clubshaft second, clubhead third.