Golf-FAQ.com

how far to go back on golf backswing

by Desmond Christiansen Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Hold it as far behind your right ear as your shoulder will allow. Now join your left hand (and the club) to your right hand. This is your natural turn! No need to go any further.

Full Answer

How far can you turn in the backswing?

To find out how far it is possible to turn in the backswing, take a golf club and assume set up position. Hold the golf club across the chest so that it is in line with the shoulders. Whilst keeping the feet flat on the floor turn backwards into the backswing as far as possible. Hold this position and note where the club is pointing.

How far should you swing the golf club back?

You should swing the club back as far as you can without losing your balance. That's it. If you can follow that rule, you will have your backswing length down just right. Of course, it will be a little harder to execute that sentence than it is to write it, but the objective is very clear.

What is a perfect backswing in golf?

Having a perfect backswing in golf is essential to have a perfect golf swing. It’s a position of your full swing. If you can’t do it correctly, it will affect the whole swing system. Backswing golf means moving the club from the back of your ball to the top of the swing. Creating a proper backswing can also change your game.

How can I lengthen my backswing for senior golf?

Let the left heel come up. One of the most-popular ways for senior golfers to lengthen their backswings is to allow the left heel to come up off the ground slightly at the top of the swing. This is a move that is used by players of all ages, but it is particularly effective for those who lack the flexibility to otherwise make a big turn.

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How long should a golf backswing take?

0.75 secondsIdeally the amount of time taken once the club starts the motion away from the ball is right around 1 second. 0.75 seconds up to the top and 0.25 seconds for the downswing.

How far back should you bring your irons?

Pull the club straight back for the first 2 inches of the backswing. From 2 inches to 8 inches, allow the club to travel upward without rotating your wrists.

How far should you rotate in your backswing?

In the backswing, you should rotate your hips open no more than about 45 degrees, and without feeling the need to stand-up out of your posture.

Is my backswing too long?

The outside of your front foot (left foot for a right-handed golfer) should be right up against the wall. Then, take some practice backswings. If your club head hits the wall at the top of the backswing, then you've gone too far.

How far should an average golfer hit a 7 iron?

The average golfer hits their 7 iron 145 yards, but the average distances will vary between 128 and 160 yards. Golfers in their 20s typically hit the ball the longest, and the distance tends to decrease as the golfer gets older.

How far should I hit a 7 iron?

The average distance golfers hit each club varies widely. A PGA Tour player hits a 7-iron between 172-215 yards. Meanwhile, a short-hitting amateur male golfer averages 120 yards with the same club. Men, women, seniors, juniors, professionals, amateurs and beginners all hit their clubs different distances.

Can you have too much hip turn in backswing?

Early hip turn on the backswing can ruin the sequence of your golf swing, when your hips turn too early it hurts your ability to create a coil between your hips and torso. If your hips and torso turn at the same rate on the backswing, you will not create any torque between them and it can rob you of power.

Should you turn your hips in the backswing?

The instruction (and motion) for the backswing should instead be to move your right hip back in a straight line away from the ball (as if you were stepping backwards). As the downswing progresses your right hip should stay back while your left hip (or butt cheek if you prefer) goes back to meet it.

How much should you turn in golf swing?

In golf, you should turn your shoulders 90 degrees from your address position in order to complete your backswing. If done correctly, the tip of your left shoulder should be pointed at the golf ball at the top of your backswing. This would indicate a 'full shoulder turn'.

Is a short backswing in golf OK?

Beginner golfers can significantly benefit from a shorter swing. A shorter swing will help to keep the game more straightforward from the beginning. What is this? As you get better and the golf swing feels more natural, you can slowly increase until the club is parallel to the ground at the top of your backswing.

What happens if you don't complete your backswing?

What happens if you don't get all the way there? It puts the bottom of your swing arc farther back, probably behind the ball. Unless you make some other compensation in your swing, you're going to mis-hit the shot.

Do you need a long backswing in golf?

0:5510:06WHAT IS THE PERFECT BACKSWING LENGTH FOR YOU ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBack too far that gives you a feeling of power the longer you go back the more you've got to try andMoreBack too far that gives you a feeling of power the longer you go back the more you've got to try and hit that golf ball hard with your arms.

Do irons lose distance over time?

As we mentioned, truly worn out irons can be hard to come across, it would take me back to the days of using my dad's old clubs that were well past their sell by date. However, if you have truly worn your clubs out, you can lose about 7-10 yards on them.

When should I move away from game improvement irons?

Workability. One of the main reasons players look to switch from game improvement irons is because they desire more shape in their shots. If you are at a point where you want more control over your shots and the ability to hit a draw or fade when necessary, you should change.

Are 20 year old golf clubs any good?

There is no evidence that golf clubs deteriorate over time. Well maintained clubs will last a lifetime. 10+ year old clubs should be checked for better options but clubs less than 5 years old do not need replacing except for wear and tear issues to which wedges and forged irons are most vulnerable.

Do any pros use cavity back irons?

According to Titleist, 70% of tour players use cavity backs while 30% use blades. Cavity back irons provide increased forgiveness while blades offer more control and a better feel. This is why a lot of tour players have both cavity backs and blade irons in their bags.

How to know how far back to swing a golf club?

When trying to figure out how far back to swing the club, pay attention to your balance as an indicator . When you swing back too far, you are sure to lose balance . Most likely, that will mean that your weight is pulled onto your right foot, and you’ll have a hard time getting back to the left on the way down.

How to make a good shoulder turn in golf?

As your turn improves, you should find that you are able to make it farther into the backswing without encountering balance problems. Use a wide stance. Those who play golf with a narrow stance will always have trouble producing a big shoulder turn.

How to feel the shoulder?

Very easy. The shoulder hits the chin. You feel the shoulder. You don’t need to be in the mirror looking at yourself, which would be a good thing to actually see where you’re going, but just feeling it, just feeling the shoulder hit the chin.

How to make a good turn while staying balances?

As you work on making a good turn while staying balances, it’s likely that you will find some success by keeping your feet in a relatively wide position. For a driver, that will probably mean just outside of shoulder width, while your iron shots may be played with your feet precisely at shoulder width.

Why is it important to have a target in golf?

Golf is a target-based game, so any opportunity you have to work on your ability to hit a target should not be passed up.

Can you wind the club around your back?

Sure, you might be able to wind the club way around your back in order to generate huge amounts of speed, but you’ll lose balance and struggle to make clean contact. The goal is to strike a balance where your backswing is long enough to generate power but not so long that you can’t find the sweet spot at impact.

Is timing a matter of golf?

A Matter of Timing. So much of golf comes down to timing. When you think about it for a moment, it is rather incredible that any golfers are able to hit accurate shots. The club is moving through the ball at a high rate of speed, and the ball is resting on the ground (or on a small tee).

How to move a golf club back in your backswing?

Once you have worked out how far you need to move the club back in your backswing, the only other job you have to do is to take your time between the top of the swing and impact. You want to take your time, building speed gradually, until you unleash everything that you have into the ball. Continue to Practice.

How to practice backswing length?

The nice thing about practicing backswing length is that it can be so incredibly simple - just focus your attention on your balance, and make sure your swing is stopping prior to your balance getting out of control . Rarely will you get the chance to work on something so simple in your golf swing.

Why does my backswing look longer?

The shape and size of your swing should remain constant, although your backswing will look longer when you are swinging a club such as the driver simply because the club itself is longer. However, the body rotation that you make should be largely the same, as should your aggression through the ball.

What is the action that sets the stage for the actual hitting of the golf ball?

The backswing is the action that sets the stage for the actual hitting of the golf ball. While you can't hit a great shot with a backswing alone, you certainly can put yourself in a great position to strike the ball accurately when you come down into impact.

How many parts does a golf swing have?

The golf swing can be split into two parts; the backswing where the power is built, and the forward swing where the ball is struck. Here is a tip to gain more control and maximize distance by understanding the length of the backswing.

Why is golf so popular?

One of the reasons golf is such a popular game is because it is something that can be enjoyed in the senior years - but you don't have to be resigned to just knocking the ball around the course. If you wish to take your game seriously, there are plenty of exciting accomplishments waiting to be achieved.

What muscles are used to do a backswing?

To perform a controlled backswing, the bigger muscles of the shoulders and hips should be used to power the motion rather than the smaller muscles of the arms and hands. This allows the mid-section of the body to turn against the legs creating more tension and a bigger wind up.

What is the backswing in golf?

The backswing is a swing sequence that takes place immediately after the takeaway and will bring your club up until it reaches the top of the swing.

Why is the pace set for the backswing important?

Of particular importance is the pace set for the backswing as it compares to the one seen in the downswing. Specifically, the backswing should take slightly more time to progress than the downswing. Or in other words, the pace set for the club to go from address to the top of the swing should be slower than the pace for ...

What is reverse pivot swing error?

The reverse pivot swing error is characterized by doing the opposite, where the weight of the golfer is moved towards the front foot instead. Carefully moving the weight back and forward again will promote a solid and strong strike at the ball.

What knee should be in the backswing?

Left Knee Points at the Ball during the Backswing. As the majority of your body weight is moved towards your right foot during the backswing your left knee should be restricted from moving laterally too much. Instead, it should move in such a way as to point towards the ball, or to a spot in the middle of your stance.

When do hips rotate?

Hips Rotate during the Backswing. Your hips should rotate gradually. Specifically, they should start to coil as soon as the backswing begins, i.e., when the club shaft is parallel to the ground, and stop when you reach the top of the backswing. This is in contrast to not rotating your hips at all in what is called an ‘all-arms’ swing, ...

Where should your weight be when you backswim?

While it is true that your weight should move towards your right foot during the backswing it should do so naturally through the rotation of your hips and the fact that your arms will be located on your right.

Does the right knee retain flex?

Right Knee Retains Some Flex. Some level of flex is to be kept in the right knee over the course of the backswing. Actually, if possible, the right knee should remain in the same bent angle as the one set in the address position while setting up, or close to it.

Biggest Problem with the Backswing

One of the questions I get a lot is I know I am swinging it back too far but I am not sure where I need to be. I feel like I need to get that big turn and take a big backswing, get all my power but the club ends up being way down here.

Drill: How Far to Bring Your Backswing

I have a great drill where you can figure out how far back you should be taking it and it is so simple it makes perfect sense.

How to Correct Your Stance to Improve Your Backswing

I will often ask people, I want you to keep your hands apart as if you are holding the basket, and I want you to try this, make your swing at full motion and I want you to stop at the top. They will go and stop at the top and here is what you will see. Let me show you from down the line.

How to control distance of stroke?

Below are some great ways for learning how to control the distance of stroke. Use a landmark to map your swings the way you do with your wedges . There are really only two ways to establish a common distance of stroke - use either distances on the ground or using the body landmarks. The common body land- marks are either referrenced ...

Do you have to pace a putt when you are on the course?

When you are on the course, you will need to pace each putt as you walk back from your behind the whole read. You do not need to walk right along the line of putt, you can do it off to the the side so that you do not walk on someones line.

How to know if you have a long backswing?

Another sign of a long backswing is lack of balance. The next time you swing one of your irons, take a moment to notice how your body feels at the finish.

What happens if your backswing is too short?

If your backswing is too short, you’ve lost the opportunity to build up that energy. As a result, you attempt to pack speed as you transition from the top of your golf swing into your downswing, throwing off your golf swing mechanics and the rhythm of your motion.

What happens if your golf swing sequence is too long?

If your golf swing sequence is too long or too short, you can’t hit a quality golf shot. You’re going to lose some fundamental element of an effective shot, whether you lose swing speed, distance, tempo, balance, or solid contact. But as important as backswing length is, many golfers struggle to find the sweet spot.

How to get sweet spot on backswing?

Standing farther back from the ball at setup. Working your lead arm just a little lower on a the backswing. If your lead hand is in line with your shoulder at the top of your backswing, you’ve found the sweet spot. Now for the bonus drill.

Can you get a shorter backswing with a golf club?

If your golf club moves around your body at a low angle, you’re going to get a shorter backswing . . . especially as you get older. It comes down to flexibility, especially in the hips. Sure, a remarkably agile golfer might be able to swing at that low angle and still get a good backswing length.

Can you hit your backswing too long?

First, if you’re struggling to make solid contact, your backswing could be too long. Golfers with an over-extended swing often find themselves hitting it off the toe, off the heel, hitting it too high . . . hitting it anywhere but the sweet spot.

Is backswing length a topic?

Backswing length is a huge topic in golf, so I know you must have opinions or experiences of your own to share. Whatever is on your mind, please join the conversation in the comments . Whether it’s a great tip I haven’t mentioned or a question about your own game, I’m always happy to talk golf.

What is the backswing of a golf club?

The backswing in golf might be the most important part of any player’s swing. It is what gets us into position to deliver the golf club to the ball. If we are out of position in the backswing, it is very hard for us to swing the club on plane and deliver a square clubface at impact.

What is a golf backswing?

The golf backswing is one of the most scrutinized aspects of any golfer’s technique, and for good reason. A quality golf backswing sets you up for a powerful follow-through . . . and a poor golf backswing can alter your clubface angle, weaken your downstroke, and cause you to slice the ball. After all, nobody has a perfect golf swing by starting ...

How to hold a pizza in golf?

Remember, if the right elbow folds correctly in the backswing you can hold a pizza with your right hand at the top of your golf swing. If the right arm separates the pizza will fall to the floor.

What are the common mistakes in golf backswing?

There are three very common mistakes that occur in the golf backswing. The first mistake is opening the clubface during the backswing. This move sets up a golfer’s followthrough to fail by creating an open clubface at the top of the swing and an open face at impact most likely causing the ball to slice. The second mistake is separation of the ...

What does it mean when a golfer has a flat backswing?

If the golfer has a really flat and laid off backswing (meaning the club shaft is more horizontal at the top of the golf swing), the player will cast the club over the top of the swing creating a vertical shaft, cupped left wrist (which opens the club face) and a leftward swing path. All of these symptoms lead to some nasty slices.

How to keep your elbows apart in golf?

You want it a little higher than in the previous drill, but still below your elbows. Take your golf swing without letting the ball drop. This drill forces you to keep your elbows the same distance apart in your golf backswing. If the right elbow separates from the left elbow, the ball will fall to the ground.

What does it mean when a golfer gets into the correct position at the top of the swing?

A golfer who gets into the correct position at the top of the swing due to a solid backswing will be able to deliver the golf club in a much more consistent manner. I have been teaching the game of golf for over twenty years.

How to Create a Perfect Golf Backswing?

To create a perfect golf backswing, you should have a correct golf swing takeaway and rotate your hips after the takeaway. Then you should keep your left heel on the ground while moving your arms. Whether you should bend your both knees or not is also important to know for a proper golf backswing.

Why is Improving Golf Backswing So Important?

Improving golf backswing is very important to give you a proper setup. A proper setup means having a correct takeaway, a solid golf club grip, a proper wrist angle, proper hip, and arm movements.

Conclusion

The backswing is nothing but the rotation of your shoulders and body. If you once learn the proper golf backswing technique, you can perfect your whole swing and hit straight. Hope the above-mentioned steps can be helpful if you are struggling with your backswing.

How to learn where your backswing should end?

To learn where your backswing should end, take your address and hold an imaginary tray behind your right ear. There’s your end point.

What happens when you push your backswing?

Most swing errors happen when you push your backswing beyond its natural limits—that is, when you try to make a turn that’s too big for your physique. You not only lose your posture and balance but your timing, too.

How to turn your arm into a golf club?

Take your normal setup, and without turning your hips, raise your right arm as though you were holding a tray or a pizza box. Hold it as far behind your right ear as your shoulder will allow. Now join your left hand (and the club) to your right hand. This is your natural turn!

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