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how fast or slow should the backswing be in golf?

by Stephan McLaughlin I Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Despite what you may have heard, your backswing can be too slow. The backswing sets up the downswing, and if you swing too slowly, you will not develop enough clubhead speed to hit the ball a long way. But there is no one correct speed; some players like Ernie Els

Ernie Els

Theodore Ernest Els is a South African professional golfer. A former World No. 1, he is known as "The Big Easy" due to his imposing physical stature along with his fluid golf swing. Among his 71 career victories are four major championships: the U.S. Open in 1994 at Oakmo…

appear to have slow backswings, while others like Nick Price

Nick Price

Nicholas Raymond Leige Price is a South African-born Zimbabwean professional golfer who has won three major championships in his career: the PGA Championship twice and The Open Championship in 1994. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Ra…

have fast ones.

If a golfer has a quick downswing then the backswing should be faster also. Good tempo can be fast or slow. The best way to explain tempo is to divide your total swing time by two. For example, if your total swing time is two seconds then the backswing should be one second.Apr 16, 2017

Full Answer

What is the average backswing speed of a pro golfer?

On the other hand, McIlroy and Finau have some pretty sporty backswing speeds and both averaged over 121 mph. We should start with the knowledge that your muscles are the only meaningful power source in the swing.

Should you accelerate or slow down in the backswing?

Rather, take the club back at a nice, comfortable pace. It should be gradually accelerating as you transition from backswing to downswing ( see video below ). Here you can see that I've started my backswing with a smooth turn of my upper body away from the target--the clubhead is outside my hands.

Why do golfers have longer backswings?

This definitely makes sense from a physics perspective – if a clubhead is accelerating over a longer distance, it will be moving faster by the time it reaches impact. This increases our distance, all else being equal. This is why we see long drive champions, like Jason Zuback, Jamie Sadlowski and Joe Miller, with their incredibly long backswings.

Is a longer or shorter golf swing better?

A longer swing usually offers more power potential – although there are several other factors that come into play as to whether your body can harness that extra swing length. Most long driver golfers have much longer swings.

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How fast should my backswing be in golf?

The right swing tempo is actually all about getting the perfect tempo of 3:1. Here's a quick video from the Golf Channel discussing the 3:1 swing tempo in full. To sum it up, your backswing should take 3X as long as you're downswing. So if your backswing takes three seconds, your downswing should take one second.

Is it better to have a fast or slow backswing?

While you will want to play with a good tempo, you may want to use a slow backswing for some of your practice swings, both on the practice tee and on the course. A slow backswing aids you in developing balance and strength, so consider one for practice swings and the driving range and a quicker backswing when you play.

Does the speed of your backswing matter?

In golf, your backswing is your counter-movement, which is why it's important to get the club moving quickly away from the target. Speed accumulates throughout your swing, so the faster you move the club away on your backswing, the faster your club will be traveling as it comes into the golf ball.

Should I slow my golf swing down?

A slower, more deliberate golf swing may improve distance and control your game. Slowing your golf swing down may provide more control and your ability to get more distance in your golf game. By applying techniques with your backswing, downswing and follow through, you may lower your scores and improve your handicap.

What is the proper backswing in golf?

25:5428:26Perfect Golf Back Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd our body rotate in the backswing. And in the fall through. That's going to build the overallMoreAnd our body rotate in the backswing. And in the fall through. That's going to build the overall power from your legs all the way up to your shoulders that's the momentum.

Is a short backswing better?

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.

How do I slow down my backswing?

2:114:59HOW TO SLOW DOWN YOUR GOLF BACKSWING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTwo three easy that will slow you down get you into approximately. The right tempo. Where yourMoreTwo three easy that will slow you down get you into approximately. The right tempo. Where your backswing is slower than your down and through swing all right.

What happens when you swing too fast in golf?

Putting too much effort into the swing is usually going to lead to diminishing returns, where the quality of your ball striking – and even your raw distance – actually goes down as you swing harder. Remember, the club only needs to be moving fast at the moment it strikes the ball.

How do you set a golf swing tempo?

1:194:53HOW TO OWN YOUR GOLF SWING TEMPO - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlways look as if they've got plenty of time to hit the ball and that really helps them. So tempo isMoreAlways look as if they've got plenty of time to hit the ball and that really helps them. So tempo is a funny one because it's not generally.

How slow should you swing a golf club?

The typical backswing takes 0.8 seconds while the downswing averages 0.2 to 0.4 seconds. In other words, the golf swing is a short and explosive movement. We all want to improve, whether that be through taking lessons, watching YouTube or even visiting GOLF.com, but sometimes that improvement can be complicated.

What is a slow swing speed?

What is Considered a Slow Swing Speed in Golf? 80mph is considered to be a slow swing speed in golf. A slow swing speed in golf refers to a speed that is slower than the average swing speed. The best golf players have an average swing speed ranging between 110 and 115mph.

How long should a golf swing take?

The full golf swing takes between . 8 and 2.5 seconds. Our testing shows that the average golf swing is 1.2 seconds, of which roughly 75% is in the back swing and 25% in the forward swing.

How fast is McIlroy on the backswing?

On the other hand, McIlroy and Finau have some pretty sporty backswing speeds and both averaged over 121 mph. We should start with the knowledge that your muscles are the only meaningful power source in the swing. Gravity is not powerful and tends to suck as much energy out on the backswing as it adds on the downswing.

How does the clubhead speed affect the swing?

A muscle’s power tells us how fast it is adding energy to the swing, and clubhead speed will increase as we get more of that energy generated by the muscles out to the club. In general, we want our muscles to add energy into the system (aka, our golf swing) in a proximal-to-distal manner, which means that muscles closer to the middle of the body should move before muscles further away. So, for example, it’s advantageous to have the muscles that twist the torso (proximal) at the start of the downswing ramp-up before the muscles that uncock the wrists (distal).

Does backswing affect transitions?

As one downside, taking a faster backswing could negatively impact your transition sequence resulting in lower clubhead speed and/or directional control. There is likely an increased probability of injury as well.

What are the fundamentals of golf swing?

If one were to study the golf swing, they would quickly learn that there are strong grips and weak grips, open stances and closed stances. Golfers that aim way right and golfers that aim way left. Golfers with a narrow stance and golfers with a wide stance.

Who discovered the tempo of golf swing?

If you have not come across the Tour Tempo approach in your golf journey yet, you must check it out. Overall, John Novosel Jr. discovered the key to tempo in the golf swing. What he found was that the greatest golfers swing at a 3:1 ratio in their golf swing.

Can a slow backswing hurt your golf swing?

No, a slow backswing can take valuable distance away from you in your golf swing. If you are seeking more distance in your game, then you should look to speed up your backswing. A slow backswing can be a major detriment to distance in the game of golf. Below we will provide the complete overview of the details on why a slow backswing in golf is not ...

What does it mean when a clubhead is accelerating?

This definitely makes sense from a physics perspective – if a clubhead is accelerating over a longer distance, it will be moving faster by the time it reaches impact.

Is shortening your swings good for you?

Now, if you increase your greens/fairways hit by 30% and lose 5 yards, it’s a no-brainer decision – this is good for you.

What happens when you change direction on a backswing?

Your wrists finish cocking and the clubhead starts to slow down, but its momentum resists you as you begin your downswing. To make this move with a faster backswing requires a lot of strength; if you swing back too fast, you will get twisted out of position at the top and have more difficulty making an accurate shot.

What is the top of the backswing?

The top of the backswing is where power begins, assuming you've properly transferred your weight and rotated your hips. Despite what you may have heard, your backswing can be too slow. The backswing sets up the downswing, and if you swing too slowly, you will not develop enough clubhead speed to hit the ball a long way.

What is temperament in swing?

Temperament is often mentioned when discussing swing speed. Players who typically act quickly tend to have faster overall swings (and therefore faster backswings), while very deliberate players tend to swing more slowly. While your temperament is an important aspect, it only indicates how fast you might want to swing.

Can you use a slow backswing on a practice tee?

While you will generally want to make the quickest backswing that you can control well, there is one practical use for a slow backswing. While you will want to play with a good tempo, you may want to use a slow backswing for some of your practice swings, both on the practice tee and on the course.

How long is the backswing of a golf swing?

According to Andrew Rice, another well-known golf instructor, the average backswing of PGA Tour golfers is .75 seconds, with the downswing being .25 seconds. The whole swing takes about a second with faster swings taking a little less and slower swings taking a little more, but you’ll notice the ratio still applies.

How to improve your golf swing?

Luckily, you have some options: 1 Invest in a coaching session: An experienced professional can help you work out any speed or rhythm issues in your swing. Investing in coaching can make a huge difference in how your overall swing, but if you want to focus on rhythm, let your coach know that. 2 Take some video: Video recording your golf swing can help you work out any number of problems that are going on with your swing if you know what to look for. Ask a friend to record you, or set up a tripod. You might even be able to post it to a golf forum for some feedback. Otherwise, check the time stamp and calculate the timing of each part of your swing. 3 Swing Index app: Swing Index is an app for your smartphone that allows you to video and analyze your swing. 4 Swing Catalyst: Swing Catalyst allows you to have your swing analyzed by computer software.

What is the best rhythm for backswings?

The best rhythm for backswings is 3:1, meaning if the first part of the swing took 3 seconds, the last part would take 1 second. Of course, golf swings are much faster than this. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone with a four-second swing. According to Andrew Rice, another well-known golf instructor, the average backswing ...

What is the tempo of a swing?

According to Martin Hall, a well known golfing instructor and speaker, the tempo of a swing is the speed at which you swing the club. The rhythm of a swing is the ratio of time that it takes for you to move the club from the setup position to the top position compared to how long it takes you to go from the top position to the bottom.

How fast is a clubhead?

The fastest clubhead speed ever recorded is 129.2 miles per hour, according to Golf.com.

What does it mean when your golf club is slow?

Remember, the speed of your club at impact is what determines the potential distance your ball will travel. An excessively slow swing can also be a sign of overthinking. You don’t want to be thinking about every little thing while your swinging. This can result in an awkward, imprecise and ineffective swing.

Does speed matter in golf?

A golf swing needs to be fast enough that you hit the ball with enough speed to send it the necessary distance, but the speed of the entire swing also called the tempo of the swing, doesn’t matter all that much. There is no “should” when it comes to swing speed. What does matter is the rhythm of your golf swing.

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