How important is the length of your backswing?
The length of your backswing is a go-to topic for golf advice for one simple reason: It matters. A lot. 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.
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.
Does your golf swing shape affect your backswing length?
Sure, a remarkably agile golfer might be able to swing at that low angle and still get a good backswing length. But the vast majority of golfers are going to find that a flat swing shape limits their range of motion considerably. Now, if your swing shape is more vertical, you likely have a longer backswing.
Is your golf swing sequence too long or too short?
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.
Should my backswing be fast or slow?
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.
Can a golf backswing be too slow?
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.
How do I slow down my backswing in golf?
0:304:59HOW TO SLOW DOWN YOUR GOLF BACKSWING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is the tip to do that or this is the way to do that what you're going to do is you're going toMoreThis is the tip to do that or this is the way to do that what you're going to do is you're going to count a two count going back a one count coming down now don't comment about tour tempo.
How fast should you swing irons?
If you use a 3-iron or wood, your swing speed is probably less than 60 mph; a 4-iron is 60-75 mph; a 5-iron is 75-84 mph; a 6- or 7-iron is 84-93 mph; and an 8- or 9-iron is over 93 mph.
How long should a golf backswing take?
around 0.75 secondsThe PGATour average time for the backswing is right around 0.75 seconds, with an additional 0.25 seconds for the downswing. Notice that ideally there should be something close to a 3:1 ratio of backswing time vs. downswing time.
How can I improve my swing speed?
5 Best Golf Swing Tips To Increase Your Swing Speed QuicklyPhysical fitness: Your overall strength and the range of motion will significantly affect your goal swing speed. ... Club fitting: ... Focus on rotation: ... Use your wrist as a Lever: ... Hit it free: ... Put some lag: ... Use speed training tools:
Should you swing slower golf?
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.
Who has the slowest backswing in golf?
Slowest: Heath Slocum He doesn't hit it hard or high, but Heath Slocum has managed to record four wins on the PGA Tour, including the 2009 Barclays. Slocum made just six of 22 cuts in 2015, tied for the worst number of his career.
How long does the average 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.
Is 100 mph a good swing speed?
Well, more than 40 percent of golfers measured swing the club between 91 and 100 mph, according to the same data. The overall average is 93.4 mph, so if you're hovering around there, you should feel pretty proud of yourself. A swing speed in the 90s puts you right around average.
What is a good 7 iron swing speed?
An average golfer will swing a seven iron about 75 mph. This number can change based on the weight of the club and if it is steel or graphite. The faster you swing a seven iron, the further it will go. If you can swing at about 85 mph, you will see distances closer to 165 yards.
Is 95 mph swing speed good?
Depending on the driving speed, golfers usually look for the best driver for 95 mph swing speed, or the best driver for 90 - 100 mph swing speed, if they're not yet as consistent as they would like to be.
Who has the slowest backswing in golf?
Slowest: Heath Slocum He doesn't hit it hard or high, but Heath Slocum has managed to record four wins on the PGA Tour, including the 2009 Barclays. Slocum made just six of 22 cuts in 2015, tied for the worst number of his career.
How far should I turn in my backswing?
90 degrees awayShoulder Turn and Tilt in the Backswing In the backswing, your shoulders ought to turn 90 degrees away from the ball and away from the target. So, your chest will, pretty much be facing directly away from your target.
Is a short backswing better?
A shorter golf backswing will make it easier for your to stay on balance. Less movement means you should be able to finish in a nice pose. It is important that you repeat the same swing each time you hit the ball. Staying on balance throughout your swing makes it easier to execute the same motion each time.
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.
How important is your swing speed in golf?
First of all, how important is your average golf swing speed? It’s very important. Simply put, the more swing speed you have, the farther you’ll hit the ball. Take a look at this chart of the average swing speeds for various categories of golfers.
How fast is a long driver?
That means that a typical long driver is over 10 mph faster on average than the PGA TOUR’s fastest swinger. Some people consider guys like Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, etc., long hitters. Indeed, relative to amateurs they are long.
How many yards does a PGA Tour driver hit in 2020?
As of the end of the 2019-2020 PGA TOUR season, the tour average runs about 114.1 mph and they hit about 296.4 yards/drive, which means their driving efficiency is about 2.60 yards/drive. This is much better than the average 14-15 –handicap golfer who comes in at 2.29 yards/drive.
How fast can you go in 2014?
This is about 20 mph faster than the fastest PGA TOUR players and over 30 mph faster than an average PGA TOUR player.
Who did Jamie Sadlowski play against in the PGA Tour?
In fact, this actually happened in Hawaii a few years ago ahead of the PGA TOUR event when Jamie Sadlowski hit drives at Kapalua in Maui against Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, and Robert Garrigus. Occasionally, you’ll see guys get in to the Final-8 at the World Championships that average in the 130s.
Can you train to increase your swing speed?
Aside from improving your technique and getting fit for your equipment, despite what many golfers (even pros like Tiger) believe, yes, you can actually train to increase your swing speed…at any age! Just consider a long drive guy like Bobby Wilson.
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 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
What it promotes
By limiting the scope of the backswing, this swing key promotes a compact swing that is less prone to over rotation or over extension. Adopting a compact swing leads to greater odds of being able to repeat that swing consistently.
What it tries to cure
Golfers who have a hard time executing the same swing over and over again could benefit from keeping the backswing slow and short. Indeed, swing inconsistency leads to added difficulty in correcting issues as they are prone to changing from swing to swing.
Why it works
By reducing the amplitude of the movements involved, it is reasonable to expect that one can reduce the extent of the variability involved in the golf swing. Consequently, it should be easier to get into a proper impact position when the road leading up to it was made relatively simple and straightforward.
When is it most useful?
This swing tip can be incorporated into anybody’s golf game, notably those that are looking to improve through a back-to-basics approach.
