What is the Backswing
The backswing is something that gets very over complicated when it really is not. Golf backswings have many variations depending on the type of golfer that swings the club. Golfers who are older, heavier, or not very flexible will have a different looking backswing compared to one who is in good shape. The backswing may look a little different but the outcome can still be the same. This part of golf is very important in gaining power and consistency to release into the downswing. The swing is all about the rotation in your shoulder, hips and torso while keeping a solid club face angle. It is also the start of the circular motion you have to create from the club being behind the ball all the way to the top of your swing.
Body Rotation and Wrist Hinge
The body rotation is allowing you to gain speed, power and torque to release into your downswing generating a maximum club head speed. The main parts that are rotating are your spine, hips, shoulders, torso and knees. Having those parts of the body rotating in your swing will create a lot easier and smooth follow through. Having muscles like your core, quads, and your back muscles activate will allow for more power into your down swing. As you rotate your body your arms should be following the movement and creating a wrist hinge going into the last half of your backswing and into impact. As the club moves away from your body, have your wrist hinge forming a L, with the forearm as the bottom half of the L, the hinge in your wrist the point of the L, and the club the top part of the L.
Cylinder Effect
The cylinder effect is a great way to avoid swaying left or right in your backswing. You need to maintain a solid and mobile stance to avoid loss in power, direction of the ball and/or distance of the ball. If you're swaying you're going to have to create compensation in your downswing causing an inconsistent performance. So what you want to do for this drill is act like you are in a cylinder that wraps around your body. Your goal is to stay in this cylinder the whole way through the backswing and downswing with very minimal sway.
Tempo of the Backswing
Your tempo of backswing should be minimum 3 seconds, you don't wanna rush it. If you're someone who is struggling with their backswing, take your time and practice it to perfection. A great way to work your way up to a perfect backswing is by doing half swings instead, you can still gain a lot of power in your swing by doing this. By doing the half swing you reduce the room for error in your downswing, allowing you to have more consistent and accurate shots.
Small Details That Lead to Mistakes
There are many small details that go unoticed in a backswing:
1. Beginner players tend to really bend their top arm in their backswing, instead make it as straight as you can. People think by bending their top arm you are creating more power in your swing, when your creating an inconsistent swing. You will have no idea what degree you are bending your arm at because it will always change, rather just keeping it straight you will know it stays at 0 degrees. There are exceptions for some players to bend their elbow when mobilty is a factor. Some players don't have the range of motion in their joints to allow for straight arms and instead will bend it slightly.
1. Beginner players tend to really bend their top arm in their backswing, instead make it as straight as you can. People think by bending their top arm you are creating more power in your swing, when your creating an inconsistent swing. You will have no idea what degree you are bending your arm at because it will always change, rather just keeping it straight you will know it stays at 0 degrees. There are exceptions for some players to bend their elbow when mobilty is a factor. Some players don't have the range of motion in their joints to allow for straight arms and instead will bend it slightly.
2. Both feet need to stay on the ground until you impact the ball. Lifting your heel up will cause over rotation and/or extension in the upperbody thinking they will gain extra distance. Doing this can cause injuries to your lower back. The only time lifting the heel is allowed is when upperbody rotation is a problem, this typically happens in older players.
3. Knee postioning is very key, especially in the rotation of the body. You want to stay in your athletic stance the whole way throught the swing. When you are rotating the lead leg's knee it should be pointing down towards the ball. Not having the knee pointing towards the ball will lead to swaying in the backswing. The back legs knee should stay bent, never lock the knee in place, this will help with hip rotation and gaining power.
4. Many players just swing with there arms thinking thats where they gain all there power. When in reality your arms have very little impact in gaining power. You want to make sure you rotate your shoulders, hips, torso and the knee's to really gain that power. Make sure when your rotating to have a little tilt in your hips and shoulders .
5. A common mistake people make is they swing up away from their body and only using their arms. They also swing in horizantal circular motion around their body. Doing these things will cause for inconsistent contact with the ball and have the ball not go in the proper direction. The proper way to it is make a vertical circular motion across your body.
6. Beginner golfers will tend to sway while going into their backswing. They will sway forward causing a chunked shot or sway back causing a scooping motion on the ball. This can be stopped by transfering your weight when rotating the club back.
Review of the Backswing
This movement may look very complex, hard, and detailed but it actually can be very easy to understand the basics. Having a solid backswing can help set off a solid downswing and contact with the ball. The big thing you need to focus on is the rotation of the body, so many people forget that, thinking it doesn’t help.
Review of the backswing:
Review of the backswing:
- Be in your set up aiming at your target and having a neutral grip of the golf club
- Start rotating your hips, shoulder, torso, and knees to create power and torque. Do not over rotate until you feel uncomfortable, be comfortable in your backswing, whether there is not a lot of rotation or a lot of rotation just make sure you feel comfortable.
- Make a L like angle by hinging your wrist as they move to the top of your swing
- Make sure you stay in your clyinder and keep a 3 second tempo
- As you are doing these movements keep your eyes on the ball and feel relax