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What’s the difference between hitting a weak shot and a powerful one? It’s synchronization. If the key movements in your swing aren’t synchronized, they will be out of sequence and you’ll hit a weak shot. If they are synchronized, your movements will be in sequence and you’ll hit a powerful shot.

Nowhere is synchronization more critical that in your downswing. Two body parts—the right hand and the right knee—must start the downswing simultaneously and at similar pace for you to produce a power-laden swing, whether you are using a driver, a wedge, or a middle iron.

 Here are five keys to starting your downswing:

* Keep head still
* Avoid sliding forward
* Start right hand/right knee in unison
* Point hand/knee toward ball
* Stay behind the ball

The key to executing a good downswing is synchronizing the movement of your right knee and your right hand. Having completed the backswing, you should move these two body parts by first turning your right hand and right knee slightly toward the ball and then starting them downward in unison and at the same pace.

Unfortunately, some golfers start their downswing with the right knee only. Their hands and arms trail their body as it moves toward the target. To square the clubface and hit a good shot, these golfers must manipulate the club with their hands at the last second or they’ll hit the ball to the right of the target.

Other golfers are all arms. They make and out-to-in downswing with very little body movement. This is known as “casting” because it resembles an angler casting with a rod and reel. This becomes a slice or pull, neither of which is what the golfer intended when he began his shot.

If you want to get more power from your swing, start your downswing with your right and knee in synchronizations. Doing so eliminates the need to make last minute adjustments to your swing to square the clubface to the ball. You’ll find yourself hitting the ball farther and straighter.

From How to Break 80 newsletter