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BackswingFinishSwing and Swing Plane Irons Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 9 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Starting the Downswing with Eric Cogorno

What should you feel at the start of the downswing? Eric Cogorno of Performance Golf answers with a simple exercise: place a club on the ground in line with the ball, and make sure your hips extend past that line at the finish of the swing.

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Eric Cogorno
Eric Cogorno · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

2 minSame problemJustin Rose's ball drill: rotating without liftingJustin Rose · Intermediate14 minSame problemCollin Morikawa's Irons: Clubface on the TargetCollin Morikawa · Intermediate / Expert14 minFrom the same proPump Exercise for the Swing TransitionEric Cogorno · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

According to Eric Cogorno, top players start the downswing with their lower body and finish with the hips completely beyond the ball line. The benefits: a lower, more forward center of gravity, allowing you to strike the ball and then the ground with your irons; a club path that comes in from the inside; a flatter angle of attack; and more power. He places a club on the ground in line with the ball and starts with half-swings, focused solely on the finish: A clear destination triggers the right movement sooner.

Timing: For good players, the drive begins from the top of the backswing, and 75 to 80% of the hips have already crossed the line at impact. As for how it feels, there are two options: land on the front foot, belt buckle toward the left ankle and then toward the target, or push off with the back foot, with the right hip moving away from a vertical line. In both cases, the hips end up facing the target. Hips left behind: low and back, fat and thin shots, outside swing path, deep divots, little power.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Place a club on the ground, perpendicular to the line of play, in line with the ball.
  2. Do half-swing movements, with your left arm horizontal, focusing only on the finish.
  3. At the finish, make sure your hips have passed the club line.
  4. Start the push as soon as you reach the top of the backswing.
  5. Choose your style: land on your front foot or push off with your back foot.
  6. Finish with your hips facing the target, then move on to full swings.

Key Takeaways

Finish with your hips past the ball line.
Your hips end up facing the target.
A clear destination triggers the downswing earlier.
The push begins right at the top of the backswing.
Choose your preferred sensation: landing on your front foot or pushing off with your back foot.
Hips Behind: Fat shots, thin shots, and the Outside Path.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Keep your hips behind the ball as you lower yourself.
  • Step forward with your left hip without rotating; keep your hips facing the ball.
  • Wait until you're halfway down the slope before pushing.
  • Hit the ball with a low point behind it.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Half-swings with an 8-iron, with the club on the ground in line with the ball
  2. Series involving landing on the front foot
  3. Series by pushing off with the back foot
  4. Check that the finish of your hips is facing the target after each shot

Your Questions

How do you start the downswing, according to Eric Cogorno?

From the lower body, with a clear goal: to bring the hips completely past the ball line and turn them toward the target. The push begins as soon as the backswing reaches its peak.

Why focus on the finish when practicing your downswing?

Because a clear target triggers the correct movement sooner. By focusing on that finish, the hip drive begins naturally at the start of the downswing.

Should you check the front foot or the back foot first?

Either one. You can land on your front foot, with the belt buckle toward your left ankle, or push off with your back foot, with your right hip moving away from its starting position.

What happens if your hips stay back?

The low point is moving back, causing fat and thin shots; the club is coming in from the outside, creating deep divots, and power is decreasing.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Finish” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Swing and Swing Plane” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Collin Morikawa's Irons: Clubface on the TargetClubface always toward the target, body open or closed depending on the shot shape, finish height to control trajectory, and a glove under the arm on the backswing. Justin Rose's ball drill: rotating without liftingHolding a ball between your forearms keeps your elbows together: your body rotates instead of raising your arms, your hands remain still, and the angle is maintained. Pause at the Top of the Backswing: Matsuyama ExplainsMatsuyama explains his pause at the top of his swing (his left shoulder is too “tucked in” when imitating Tiger), his hands in front of his chest, and his swing mechanics with the irons. Eric CogornoAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Eric Cogorno). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

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