You often hear tour pros and swing coaches talk about "finding the slot" on the downswing.

What is "the slot"? Well, in its essence, it's a flatter swing plane at the start of the downswing when the arms and hands seem to drop inside, delivering the club to the ball from an inside to out swing path. Sergio Garcia's downswing is a perfect example; his hands and arms drop noticeably.



Not many high handicappers can do that. They do what those same swing coaches call "casting" or "coming over the top' where the downswing begins with the right shoulder swinging out rather than down during the downswing.

Often, you can find the slot naturally if you start the downswing with your lower body - whether that's an aggressive weight shift to the left foot or by turning the hips.

For a good explanation, take a look at Jim McLean's description. He offers some good drills to achieve this, too.