The right forefinger provides the sensory information of the club’s transition from the top of the backswing to the start of the downswing. Just as a fly fisherman stresses the fly line in both directions, golfers must develop sensitivity when swinging the club.
A sensitive trigger finger monitors the club’s momentum and allows your feet, body and arms to know when it’s time to move in the opposite direction for the downswing. This best occurs when the weight of the club is monitored on the right forefinger from the top of the backswing to a powerful impact and beyond.
The transition from the top of the backswing to the downswing should be a smooth sequence of events, with good golfers having a sense of the weight of the clubhead throughout the swing while stressing the club’s shaft to produce a heavy blow at the ball.
You’ll know you’ve got things headed in the right direct when the motion has a gentle appearance and the ball jumps off the clubface like a rocket.
Geoff Murtha is a member of the Australian PGA and the director of golf at Dove Canyon Golf Club in Orange County. He can be reached at pro@golfacademyonline.com.
