subject: Backswing Tips For Better Golf [print this page] Backswing Tips For Better Golf Backswing Tips For Better Golf
Everyone wants to lower their scores. By following these backswing tips for better golf you will hit it straighter and longer than you ever have before!
The purpose of he backswing is to set the club in the right position at the top and allow us to deliver the club to the ball squarely and with the maximum speed possible therefore generating distance. It is not how hard we hit the ball but increased club head speed which gives greater distance.
Most amateurs suffer with a slice particularly with the longer clubs for two reasons; firstly because they are longer they are more difficult to control. The closer we stand to the ball the easier it is to hit and secondly because the longer clubs are for distance we tend to try and hit them harder which sends the backswing off the correct path back to the ball.
Always warm up before playing golf. This will generate more club head speed and give more distance without the extra effort as the muscles are being warmed and stretched. How many times have you rushed to the course to meet your playing partners with just enough time to grab your clubs and tee off? The result of that first shot was probably pretty awful I would guess!
Setting the club in the correct position at the top of the backswing isn't too difficult as long as we start off correctly with a smooth takeaway. All too often there is a rush to get the club to the top of the backswing and invariably during the first part of the takeaway the club has already moved out of position as it is picked up too early with the hands.
The key is to initiate the takeaway with the body as opposed to the hands and arms. As you take up an address position ready to hit the ball the butt end of the club should be opposite the navel. Here it should stay until at least waist high when the wrists begin to cock. If the butt end of the club moves away from a position which is opposite the navel in this first part of the takeaway then it is an indication that the swing has started with the hands and arms. From here the club will continue to be out of position all the way to the top of the backswing from which it will be most difficult to return it to the correct path in the downswing.
By the club and body moving together in a 'one-piece' takeaway then the club remains on the correct path for longer and will be in the correct position at the top of the backswing. From here you can begin the downswing confident in the knowledge that the club will impact the ball squarely and with more speed as you will have created more room to swing it along the correct path.
Try this drill to help you with the correct takeaway:
Place the end of the grip in your navel. Now place your hands on the shaft towards the head. Now adopt your normal hitting position tilting forward slightly as if you were going to hit a ball. Now turn everything back together - the left hip, shoulder, club and left knee in to a waist high position.
If you perform this drill correctly then the grip should stay in your navel as you have turned the body and club together. Undertake it incorrectly and the grip will pop out of the navel. This is an indication that you have used only your hands and arms to begin the swing.
Try these backswing tips when practicing or before starting your round and you will see a difference in you distance and control.
