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where do i need my hands at the top of my backswing in golf

by Prof. Thad Schimmel PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

Part of a video titled How to Find Your top of Backswing Position - YouTube
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Your body to the top of the backswing where the weights gone on to the inside of the right foot.MoreYour body to the top of the backswing where the weights gone on to the inside of the right foot.

Full Answer

Where should the wrists be hinged in a golf swing?

Wrists Are Fully Hinged at the Top of the Swing The process of hinging the wrists should begin gradually as the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground and end at the end of the backswing, at the top of the swing. At that position, the wrists should be fully hinged.

How can I improve my golf backswing?

Use the golf tips below in order to improve your golf backswing. 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. From the moment you address the ball to the moment you reach the top of the backswing your left arm should remain straight.

How do you swing a golf club properly?

The top of the swing is followed by the downswing, which involves bringing the hands – and club – back down as you uncoil your upper body and prepare for impact with the ball. At the top of the swing your wrist should be fully hinged. However, you’ll need to make sure that in addition to the hinge, your wrists don’t bow or cup.

Where should your left arm be at the top of the backswing?

At the top of the backswing, the left arm should match the angle of the player’s shoulders which should be parallel to the swing plane. It is important to avoid any separation of the left arm out and away from the body.

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How high should your hands be at the top of the backswing?

1:264:45How to get Higher Hands in the backswing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut your goal should be to have a little height than your hands. Because what that'll do is that'llMoreBut your goal should be to have a little height than your hands. Because what that'll do is that'll help give you some timing to get your hands down to get some speed.

What should top of backswing look like?

3:576:43Perfect Top Of Backswing Position Hit The Ball Better - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs I made my backswing you'll see here my lead arm. This here is roughly on the same angle as myMoreAs I made my backswing you'll see here my lead arm. This here is roughly on the same angle as my shoulders. My shoulders aren't like this. It's not too much like this my lead arm is somewhere.

How do you set your wrist at the top of the backswing?

12:2718:21GOLF: Wrist Set Do's And Don'ts! | Proper Wrist Set - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe only way to hit the golf ball the only solution to this is to come down and snap the wrists.MoreThe only way to hit the golf ball the only solution to this is to come down and snap the wrists. Past. That's why we flip yep because it's the only way to overcome that horrible backswing.

Where should my hands be in a golf swing?

2:125:31The Key Hand Moves In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTowards our body. Feeling the right wrist stays very neutral keeping. The club head outside theMoreTowards our body. Feeling the right wrist stays very neutral keeping. The club head outside the hands then we'd work at the top and swing pretty naturally.

Where should golf clubs point at top of backswing?

Ideally, you want the golf club to be pointing directly at your target at the top of your golf swing. This allows you to uncoil your swing with the fewest moving parts and keep the swing on plane and on line the entire way.

Where should the club face be at the top of the back swing?

It is key for golfers to make sure they are in the correct position at the top. To do this, audit the club face and let the left wrist seek the condition it must have in order to have the club face at the proper square 45-degree position at the top of the backswing.

Should you hinge your wrists in backswing?

2:367:53When To Hinge Your Wrists In The Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPoint for you now is half away back where our left arm is parallel to the ground. Your give me yourMorePoint for you now is half away back where our left arm is parallel to the ground. Your give me your thumbs up here in your left hand and in your right hand. Again talking about that radial deviation.

Should I cup my wrist in golf swing?

2:188:26WHY YOU HAVE A CUPPED LEFT WRIST IN THE GOLF SWINGYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd not cup. It so the second reason to why you are cupping your left wrist in the golf swing isMoreAnd not cup. It so the second reason to why you are cupping your left wrist in the golf swing is because you are hinging your wrists in the backswing. Too vertically. And too early.

What happens if you don't set your wrists in golf swing?

In the golf swing, the movement in the wrists is incredibly important for both the distance and direction of a shot. Without the proper wrist action, a player will struggle to do what the game requires; get the ball in the hole.

What does a closed clubface look like at the top?

A closed clubface at the top of the swing is when the angle of the clubface is facing more towards the sky. Often times the fix to one or all three swing flaws above begins with creating a slightly closed clubface position at the top of swing.

Should I pause at the top of my backswing?

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 ...

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.

How to get fewer hands in golf?

Need a simple drill? Take a yardstick or an alignment stick, place it on the ground, and take your address position. Take a club and place the sole on the stick, and work on keeping the hands quiet for those all-important first 18 inches of the takeaway. Practice the takeaway 10 times, then hit 5 practice shots, focusing exclusively on your takeaway. Repeat the process three times.

What is the role of hands in golf?

The role of the hands in the golf swing is important, yet often misunderstood concept. Most of what you’ll find in golf instruction literature will focus on the configuration of your hands on the club, and how certain types of grips affect the ball flight, etc. However, the hands do so much more than just grip the club.

Why do pros swing golf clubs so smoothly?

One of the reasons pros swing the golf club so smoothly is because the club swings with no correction or compensation with the hands.

What is the next step in golf?

Once you’ve established a grip style that is comfortable to you and suits your game , the next step is to understand your hand’s role in the golf takeaway. With the exception of a few specialty shots (i.e. buried lies, divots), the hands will passively follow the shoulders and arms as you initiate the backswing.

Where should the next checkpoint be on a wrist?

Once the wrists have hinged comfortably, the next checkpoint will be at the top of the backswing.

Do golfers have one in a million reflexes?

But unless you have one-in-a-million reflexes, the results of hand manipulation are usually sub-par at best. Professional golfers know you have to limit the role of the hands in the golf swing and let the big muscles do the work.

Where should the shaft be on a golf swing?

Shaft Points at the Target at the Top. At the top of the swing the shaft of the club should be pointing straight ahead, at the target. Or more precisely, on a line parallel to the target line. It should not be in a laid-off position, which occurs when the shaft is pointing to the left of the target.

What is the top of the swing?

The top of the swing occurs right after the backswing, when you stop coiling your hips and shoulders back. The top of the swing is followed by the downswing, which involves bringing the hands – and club – back down as you uncoil your upper body and prepare for impact with the ball.

Where are wrists hinged?

Wrists Are Fully Hinged at the Top of the Swing. The process of hinging the wrists should begin gradually as the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground and end at the end of the backswing, at the top of the swing. At that position, the wrists should be fully hinged. This is in contrast to reaching the top of the backswing with wrists ...

What does the back face in a swing?

Back Faces the Target at the Top of the Swing . At the top of a full swing your back should be facing the target. This only happens when you correctly rotate your hips and shoulders. This is in contrast to overextending – or over-rotating – that will see your back go past the point where it faces the target ahead.

When should your hands stop rising?

At the end of the backswing, your hands should stop rising when the shaft of the club reaches the point where it is parallel to the ground, or just shy of that position. Indeed, a full wrist hinge combined with adequate hip and shoulder rotation should prove plentiful in bringing the club to this enviable position.

Do swing wrists bow?

At the top of the swing your wrist should be fully hinged. However, you’ll need to make sure that in addition to the hinge, your wrists don’t bow or cup.

Should wrists be fully hinged?

At that position, the wrists should be fully hinged. This is in contrast to reaching the top of the backswing with wrists that are not fully hinged, or to reach the correct position through a mistimed or sudden hinging of the wrists.

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, ...

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.

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.

Is it a rule that your left arm should stay straight?

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.

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