Instruction blog: Shift first, then rotate for easy power

text size

Greenwood/Getty Images

Retief Goosen moves his lead hip laterally, creating effortless power.

There has been a Goose sighting in Tampa Bay as the PGA TOUR rolled on last week with the Transitions Championship. After four long years, Retief Goosen is back in the winner's circle with his seventh career PGA TOUR win. Doesn't it seem every time we see heavy rough and fast, crusty greens, we see the even-tempered South African at his best?

Listen to Travis Fulton

PGA TOUR Golf Academy's Travis Fulton breaks down the keys to Retief Goosen's win on the PGA TOUR Network (XM 146, SIRIUS 209). Click to listen

On Sunday, Goosen used some nifty shots out of the rough paired with a very solid stroke on the greens to overcome the very demanding Innisbrook greens. Now that he has switched back to the short putter, perhaps Goosen is poised to remain a world-class player well after the age of 40.

In addition to Goosen, there was a Charles Howell III sighting as well. With a new swing coach and a heavier build, it seems Charles has a new approach and attitude as he enters his thirties. With a less mechanical outlook on the game and more shotmaking prowess, I'm beginning to like what I see out of Chucky III.

What Can We Learn
With a very accomplished record around the globe, there are clearly a lot of things we can learn from Retief Goosen. When I think of Retief's game, the first thing that comes to mind is his how effortless his swing appears, but how much power it produces. At the TOUR Academies, a very common question is "How do PGA TOUR players hit it so far, yet look so smooth and under control?"

The answer to this question has many components, but one of the most important is the sequence in how they move their body during the swing. "Sequencing" is a term you may have heard before, whether on TV, in a book, or during lessons. In order to produce power with the same gracefulness as Retief Goosen, you must be moving in the correct order.

Dunn/Getty Images

Starting the downswing with the lower body begins the proper sequence to impact.

The proper sequence is:
1. Load.
2. Shift.
3. Rotate.

Retief clearly does all three of these very well, however, it's the downswing sequence that most amateurs can learn the most from.

To have an efficient and explosive downswing, a player must start the down by shifting the lower body first. A proper shift means moving the lead hip laterally. This is initiated by the pelvis "gliding" from the trail leg to the lead leg.

By starting down with this lateral shift, the club has a great chance to respond to the correct angle of approach into the ball. This move is critical and is one that is most often abused by golfers. If you don't start the downswing with the lower body, it is almost a given the shaft will be too steep on the downswing.

By starting the downswing with the lower body, speed transfers to the torso. Now, the rotation phase can begin, as the torso unwinds while transferring speed to the arms and then outward to the clubhead. Each segment increases the speed from the swing's center out to the clubhead. Not only will this produce power, but also improve on the overall rhythm and timing of the swing.

This move is not easy, but is one that can be learned with the right direction and some time. Learn from Goosen. Shift first, then rotate.

Just Because
"One Shining Moment." I'm just kidding. I will spare you the singing this week, but I hope you caught some hoops over the weekend. How about them 'Zags with a buzzer-beater to knock off the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers? It was flat-out unbelievable, and let me just say that a sports pub down here in Orlando has been officially introduced to the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Anyway, now it's on to the Sweet 16, and it is truly ,"David vs. Goliath," as Gonzaga faces No. 1 seed North Carolina. Now there's a chance you may know a little more about the basketball history of North Carolina and not Gonzaga, but let me be the first to tell you -- the TarHeels are going down.

Let's compare the history:

1. North Carolina (Michael Jordan) vs. Gonzaga (John Stockton). Face the facts. Stockton was a much better passer.

2. North Carolina (Sam Perkins) vs. Gonzaga (Adam Morrison). Close one, both could shoot the three, pass it, neither played defense very well but both made it with some sweet hair. Morrison wins. Next.

3. North Carolina (James Worthy) vs. Gonzaga (J.P. Batista). Who is James Worthy?

4. North Carolina (Four national championships) vs. Gonzaga (none).

Whatever!