The start of the downswing is key to your potential for distance, trajectory and accuracy.

The downswing is much like throwing a ball over hand. If your hips do not rotate first, then you cannot get any arm speed.

In the golf swing, after you have reached a set position at the top of your backswing, your hips should start the downswing by rotating out of the way so that your arms, hands, clubshaft and clubhead will accelerate through impact to a balanced, finished position.

By rotating your hips first to start the downswing, your hands will come back through the address position with the back of your top hand facing your target for a millisecond at impact.

When you are at the impact position, your forward leg will be fairly straight but it is not necessary to have your forward leg locked.

The faster you rotate your hips on the downswing without loosing your balance and changing your posture, you will achieve your maximum clubhead speed.