As your first move down from the top, get your weight moving to your front foot. This little forward bump will drop your hands and arms to the inside, setting up a powerful move through the ball. You can rotate your body through as hard as you want; just make sure you get your weight going toward the target before you start. NOT THIS..
Full Answer
Should your left arm be straight during a golf backswing?
It will be almost impossible to raise your hands further without either rotating your hips or severely bending your left elbow. It’s a golf axiom that your left arm (for a right-handed golfer) should remain straight throughout the backswing. But golf instructor Jim McLean advises golfers not to take the rule 100 percent literally.
How to start back in a golf swing?
HOW TO START BACK. The motion you want off the ball is a pushing back movement by the left hand ( pictured above ). This creates a basically straight start to the swing and wide extension. It also gets the left shoulder turning back so the upper body starts to coil against a stable lower body.
Are Your Arms destroying your golf swing?
Here's where nearly every golfer destroys their golf swing - in the first 6 inches of club movement! That's right, most golfers' swings are set off on the wrong track immediately. Here's the simple reality you need to burn into your brain is that your arms are going to feel like they don't really move much at all during the entire backswing!
What is a shoulder turn in a golf swing?
Although there's a lot of confusion around this term, all it means is that you begin your backswing by turning your shoulders first. This shoulder turn, sometimes called a "coil," allows your arms to stay reasonably straight without locking your elbows. You want your arms and upper body to stay as relaxed as you can.
Do the arms start the backswing?
0:345:05SHOULD YOU START THE GOLF SWING WITH THE ARMS OR HIPSYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSorry end up in the start of the backswing is that the club the hands the arms. And the torso all.MoreSorry end up in the start of the backswing is that the club the hands the arms. And the torso all.
How do the hands move in the backswing?
2:055:31The Key Hand Moves In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe hands as we start the backswing or level with the hands at worse. Most golfers will whip theMoreThe hands as we start the backswing or level with the hands at worse. Most golfers will whip the club in like this and roll the forearms. And roll the wrists.
What part of the body starts the backswing in golf?
5:099:35GOLF: The Perfect Way To Start The Backswing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBody the little hinge little right arm.MoreBody the little hinge little right arm.
What moves first in the backswing?
The first thing you should move in your backswing is the clubhead.
Do you lift your arms in the backswing?
To make a proper backswing, start by lifting your arms. Even more specific, use them to elevate the club's center of mass (signified by the red ball on my club) about 25 to 30 degrees as I've done here before even thinking of pitching the club upward with your wrists.
Do the hips start the backswing?
Initiating the backswing The initial move should come with your hips. If you are right-handed, start the swing by turning your hips to the right. This will help you shift your weight from a neutral position to your right side.
Does the golf swing start with arms or shoulders?
The first part of the one piece takeaway begins with the arms swinging the club back while the shoulders begin to rotate. The central aspect of the one piece takeaway requires no hinging of the wrists and separation of the hands and arms from the front of the body.
Do shoulders start backswing?
The shoulders begin the backswing by turning away from the ball until the hands are at waist high. This movement is called a “one-piece takeaway” and, because the shoulders move so early in the backswing, the arms are able to remain straight without tensing up until the hands reach that waist-high position.
What is the sequence of the golf swing?
3:167:22PERFECT GOLF SWING SEQUENCE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the torso is going to move after the legs the third thing in that sequence is going to be theMoreSo the torso is going to move after the legs the third thing in that sequence is going to be the arms. And the last thing in that sequence is going to be the hands. And the golf club okay.
What is the most important move in the golf swing?
The first move down from the top is one of the most important in the golf swing. No matter how you take the club back, the transition into the downswing has to be smooth, and the club needs to come into the ball from inside the target line. And the overall downswing has to start from the ground up.
What is the most important thing in golf swing?
0:546:01The Most Important Part of the Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWatch the rhythm.MoreWatch the rhythm.
Should you pause at the top of your backswing in golf?
Rhythm - A pause encourages good rhythm. Rather than snatching or lurching at the ball from the end of the backswing the golfer can use this time as a transition period and can position the body as a whole to bring the club down to the ball effectively each time a swing is made.
Should you rotate your hands in the backswing?
In the end, your hands need to rotate during the golf swing because the swing itself is a rotational action. If you rotated your body without letting your hands rotate as well, things would get pretty awkward in a hurry.
How should your hands be at the top of the backswing?
At the top of the backswing, the right elbow should be bent at slightly more than 90 degrees. The right wrist should also be bent at about 90 degrees so that the palm of the right hand faces directly at the sky (back of the hand is parallel to the ground. Your right elbow should be below the right shoulder.
What is the path of the hands in the golf swing?
3:468:19Hand Path In Golf Downswing Shallow Like A Pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the hands are moving towards the golf ball when they get right about that rear thigh. The handsMoreSo the hands are moving towards the golf ball when they get right about that rear thigh. The hands will move in. And the club will move on that nice little inside move towards the golf ball.
Do the wrists rotate in the golf swing?
5:277:43Left wrist rotation in golf swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo again small amount of unhinging. Body turning small amount of rotation keeps the club face comingMoreSo again small amount of unhinging. Body turning small amount of rotation keeps the club face coming to the ball squarely and keeps the path of the club.
How to do a backswing on a golf club?
Starting your backswing by excessively hinging your wrists before lifting your arms. That’s a surefire recipe for a weak, steep backswing, and can also cause other issues, including a reverse pivot. To make a proper backswing, start by lifting your arms. Even more specific, use them to elevate the club’s center of mass ...
How to make a backswing?
To make a proper backswing, start by lifting your arms. Even more specific, use them to elevate the club’s center of mass (signified by the red ball on my club) about 25 to 30 degrees as I’ve done here before even thinking of pitching the club upward with your wrists.
What is the key to a powerful swing?
Making a full backswing is key to a powerful swing.
How to make a swing feel better?
In making a full and powerful backswing, your arms lift about 90 degrees, swing across your chest about 15 degrees, and rotate open (clockwise) 90 degrees more. That’s a lot of movement!
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 happens if you don't flex your right knee?
Failing to maintain flex in your right knee will lead to the locking your right knee swing error, which changes the angle in your hips and leads to inside-out club path.
Why do amateur golfers rise their heel?
Amateur golfers that do rise their heel often do so in order to take the clubhead back further in an effort to generate more clubhead speed on the downswing.
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 does weight transfer in golf?
Weight Transfers to the Right Foot during the Backswing. During the backswing your weight should move towards your back – right – foot. The reverse pivot swing error is characterized by doing the opposite, where the weight of the golfer is moved towards the front foot instead.
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.
Which arm folds early in the golf swing?
Trail Arm. Unlike the left arm, the right arm folds early in the golf swing.This allows the right arm to stay connected with our rotating upper body. If the golfer’s elbow does not fold in and stay connected to their body, we start to have some major issues in the backswing.
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 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 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 open the club face in golf?
The only connection we have to the golf club is where the hands grip the handle. With this, the only way we can rotate the club face or open the clubface is by rotating our hands or changing our lead wrist angles.
How to know if your elbow is right?
To better visualize the correct position of the right elbow at the top of the backswing, take your golf stance and rotate to the top of your swing. Now imagine from this position you were holding a large pizza in your right hand. If the right elbow folded correctly and stayed connected to your body, you should be able to hold the pizza and avoid the pizza from sliding off the pan. If the right elbow separated from the left arm and body, the pizza would slide off the pan and onto the floor.
Why do you need to set your wrists on the backswing?
Wrist set is a vital part of your backswing. You develop clubhead speed in part because your wrists uncock during the downswing, and you certainly can't uncock them if you don't set them first. Although it's a simple action, many players struggle with it.
How to hit a golf club with your hands?
Let your arms hang down naturally, with the upper arms resting lightly against your chest. Hold the club with your normal golf grip; if you dangled a plumb line from your lips, it would hit your hands.
How does Schwartzel's elbow work?
Unlike McIlroy, Schwartzel's right elbow bends early and his wrists set by the time his left arm is parallel to the ground. Start bending your right elbow -- your left elbow if you're left-handed -- while your left elbow remains extended. This is where the early set differs from the late set.
Why do my wrists set earlier?
Because your elbow starts bending earlier, your wrists begin to set earlier. By the time your extended left arm is parallel to the ground, your wrists will have finished setting and your right elbow will still be fairly close to your side.
How to play left handed golf with McIlroy?
With his hands at waist high, both of McIlroy's elbows are still extended and his wrists haven't begun to set. Turn your shoulders until your left arm -- your right arm if you play left-handed -- is parallel to your target line and your hands are about waist high. Your elbows should still be fairly straight and you will have completed most ...
What is the position of McIlroy's wrists?
With his right elbow bent and slightly away from his side, McIlroy's wrists finish setting at the top of his backswing.
How to bend McIlroy's elbow?
As his hands reach shoulder height, McIlroy's right elbow is just starting to bend. Pivot your arms up with the shoulder joints. Your right elbow will move slightly away from your side. With a late set like this, you want your elbows to stay mostly straight until your hands are just below your shoulders.
What is the first move down in golf?
The first move down should be a pulling motion initiated by the left leg ( pictured above ). From the top, the left knee shifts toward the target and starts pulling the rest of the lower body into its forward rotation. If the lower body leads the downswing, the club drops to the inside, and you can sling it out to the ball.
What is the motion of a golf swing?
Put simply, the overall motion of a good swing is push-pull: You push the club back, and you pull it through. The opposite move—a pull-push—is a common amateur fault. So a lot of golfers have the fundamental motion ...
Why do golf clubs move so quickly?
A common fault is pulling the club back with the right hand. A lot of right-hand-dominant golfers do this, it causes the club moves quickly to the inside. From there, you have to lift it to get to the top, and that reduces body rotation and saps a lot of energy out of the swing. You lose all of that torque that's produced when the upper body turns against a stable lower body.
What happens if you push the club down from the top?
On the fault side, if you push the club down from the top, like a lot of right-hand-dominant golfers do, the club moves out and away from you. From there, you're going to make a steep swing that cuts across the ball from out to in. That swing has no power and produces a lot of pulls and slices. A Drill to Help.
What is the benefit of push back?
Another benefit of the push-back is the wide takeaway that it creates. A wide takeaway helps shift your weight to your right side. With the weight back and your upper body fully coiled, you're ready to reverse those actions and start the downswing.
How to do push pulls without a club?
Try this drill to help you feel the pull, then a square face. Without a club, take your setup with the outside of your left foot against a wall. Mimic your backswing, then swing down slowly. Make sure: (1) Your left leg gently bumps the wall as you start down, and (2) the back of your left hand faces the wall as it comes down in front of you. Now you're ready to put the push-pull to work for you.
How to do push back swings?
Here's a good drill to groove the push-back move. Grip a short iron in your left hand only, and make some chipping swings. Without the right hand on the club, you isolate the pushing motion of the left hand on the backswing. Re-create that feel when you go back to swinging with both hands.
What is the first part of your body to move during the golf back swing?
Now in the golf back swing the first, very first swing to move should be the club head which is then operated obviously by the hands. And then after the hands is the arms, after the arms it’s the shoulders, after the shoulders it’s the body, the torso, the stomach and then after that the hips a little bit and then finally just a little bit of movement with that actual lower body.
What is the first thing to move in a golf back swing?
Now in the golf back swing the first, very first swing to move should be the club head which is then operated obviously by the hands. And then after the hands is the arms, after the arms it’s the shoulders, after the shoulders it’s the body, the torso, the stomach and then after that the hips a little bit and then finally just a little bit ...
What happens during a down swing?
During the down swing, the hips begin to turn after the feet get involved, the core and the torso begin to come into play, the shoulders rotate, dragging the arms and finally dragging the club into impact. And then through the ball everything just carries on in that sequence extending throughout the shot.
What happens when you stand over a golf ball?
So when you’re standing over that ball, the club head moves first, then it’s the hands and the arms, the shoulders begin to rotate, the core also begins to turn, the hips open slightly, the knees brace and the feet become just a little bit active.
What is the sequence of the through swing?
And in the through swing, that sequence is reversed ; so it’s the feet and the lower body to move first, then it’s the hips, then it’s the torso, then it’s the shoulders, then it’s the arms and the very last thing to come through are the hands and the club. And if you can get that sequence working in order, that’s the best way to produce good golf shots, it’s almost a bit of a mirror image of your back swing when you actually get to your through swing. So when you’re standing over that ball, the club head moves first, then it’s the hands and the arms, the shoulders begin to rotate, the core also begins to turn, the hips open slightly, the knees brace and the feet become just a little bit active.
How to keep arms in front of chest on golf backswing?
How to Keep Your Arms In Front of Your Chest on a Golf Backswing. Tiger Woods' hands remain in front of his upper right chest near the top of his backswing. If your arms don’t remain in front of your chest during the backswing it likely means that you’re not rotating your body sufficiently. A lack of body rotation means, at the very least, ...
Which arm should remain straight throughout the backswing?
It’s a golf axiom that your left arm (for a right-handed golfer) should remain straight throughout the backswing.
How to get a good backswing?
Rotate your hips so your back faces the target, then extend the club straight out from your shoulder. This is the position you should try to achieve on your backswing. Clement also recommends that golfers focus on keeping their elbows close together throughout the backswing.
How to keep your arms in front of your body?
Get into your address position, then bring the club up and lay it across your back shoulder, while the rest of your body maintains its normal stance. Rotate your hips so your back faces the target, then extend the club straight out from your shoulder. This is the position you should try to achieve on your backswing. Clement also recommends that golfers focus on keeping their elbows close together throughout the backswing. As long as your elbows don’t fly apart, your body will be forced to rotate to lift the club much higher than your waist.
What should the club be midway through the backswing?
Midway through your backswing the club should be horizontal and parallel to the target line, Woods says. This setup puts you in proper position to conclude a full hip turn in the second part of your backswing. It will be almost impossible to raise your hands further without either rotating your hips or severely bending your left elbow.
What does "a little give at the elbow" mean?
He says “a little give at the elbow” is permissible and promotes “a more connected swing” in which arms and body turn together smoothly, which is the key to keeping your arms in front of your chest.
How to do a backswing pivot?
As you simulate a backswing pivot while maintaining your shoulder tilt, make sure your right hand moves up your right leg as you rotate right side behind you. Your left hand should move down your left pant leg toward your left knee as it works inward.
How do ball strikers make a strong body coil?
All great players, especially the ones known for being consistent ball-strikers, make a strong body coil as they move toward the top of their swing. They do this by pivoting their right side behind them and less to the side, thereby reducing any excess slide away from the ball.