Miles Bennett
A golfer's setup is crucial to their backswing. The setup is the position a golfer takes before starting their swing, and it can be unique to each player. However, there are some fundamental aspects of a good setup that can improve a golfer's swing, such as foot positioning, weight distribution, and grip. The position of the arms and wrists relative to the upper body is also important, as it can determine whether the backswing will be upright, flat, or somewhere in between. Additionally, the amount of wrist extension at the start of the backswing is critical for controlling the clubface and hitting straighter shots. A good setup allows for a smooth transition into the backswing, while a poor setup can hinder a golfer's performance.
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What You'll Learn
Weight distribution: Weight should shift to the right foot, not the left
Weight distribution is a critical aspect of a golfer's setup, and it can significantly influence the quality and consistency of the coiling process and subsequent swing.
For a typical golf shot, the weight should be distributed evenly across both feet at the setup, with the golfer feeling their feet supporting their weight equally. This even distribution helps maintain a balanced stance and ensures the body is centred, aligning with the body's centre of gravity.
However, during the backswing, the weight distribution shifts, and the golfer's weight should move towards their right foot. This shift is a natural consequence of the rotation of the hips and the positioning of the arms to the right during the backswing. It is important to ensure that this weight transfer is not achieved through sliding the hips backwards towards the right foot, as this constitutes a swaying golf swing error. Instead, the weight shift should occur through the coiling of the body and pushing the weight into the right foot, similar to a football player changing direction. This technique is scientifically proven to improve the weight shift and generate power in the golf swing.
By holding the weight on the right side for a split second during the transition to the downswing, golfers can synchronise their arms and body in the change of direction. This momentary pause allows the arms and club to fall into position, ensuring a balanced and stable platform for the downswing.
In certain instances, golfers may intentionally position their weight towards the front (left) foot at the setup. This adjustment is often employed for chip shots or other delicate shots around the green, as it increases shaft lean, promoting cleaner contact with the ball and shielding from fat or chunked shots. Conversely, for high flop shots or situations where the ball must rise quickly, such as when positioned close to a fairway bunker lip, golfers may opt to shift their weight towards the right foot to achieve higher ball flights.
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Left elbow: Should remain straight, not bent
The left elbow plays a crucial role in the golf swing, and it is important to keep it straight during the backswing. Here are some key points to help you achieve this:
During the backswing, focus on keeping your left elbow straight and avoiding any bending. This is because the left elbow is the hinge that controls the bend of your arm throughout the swing. By keeping it straight, you maintain the "width" necessary for power in your swing and ensure consistent contact with the ball. A straight left elbow also helps prevent excessive arm movement, which can lead to a breakdown in your swing's fluidity and timing.
To maintain a straight left elbow, focus on rotating your entire upper body, including your hips and torso, rather than just moving your arms. Imagine a pole running through your spine, keeping you in place as you turn during your backswing. This will help you achieve a full rotation while keeping your left elbow straight. Additionally, ensure that your arms and body are "connected", and that your body is driving your turn away from the ball, not your arms.
While it is important to keep your left elbow straight, it should not feel rigidly locked into place. A slight bend in the elbow during the downswing is acceptable, as the goal is to maintain your width. As you approach impact, it is okay for your left arm to be slightly higher than your right arm, indicating a powerful and controlled delivery of the club.
Practising with small swings can help you develop a feel for keeping your left elbow straight. Start by rotating your left arm back until it is parallel to the ground, keeping it close to your body. Once comfortable, progress to taking the club to the top of your backswing while maintaining a straight left arm. This will help you improve your backswing technique and develop a fluid and powerful swing.
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Right knee: Keep flexed, don't straighten
There are differing opinions on whether golfers should keep their right knee flexed or straighten it during the backswing. Some sources recommend keeping the right knee flexed, while others suggest straightening it to improve power and stability. Ultimately, the technique a golfer chooses will depend on their individual flexibility, preferences, and performance.
Keeping the Right Knee Flexed
Some golfers, including LPGA players, advocate for keeping the right knee flexed during the backswing. This technique involves maintaining the same bent knee angle that was set during the address position. Failing to maintain this flex can lead to the "locking your right knee swing error". This error changes the angle of the hips and the swing path, which can negatively impact the direction of the ball.
To avoid locking the right knee, golfers can focus on maintaining the proper knee flex during the address position. This involves bending the knees slightly to find a good midpoint, which allows for a comfortable swing without needing to change the angle of the legs. One mental trick is to imagine that the right knee is attached to the ball with a piece of string, and that straightening the leg would pull the ball out of position.
Straightening the Right Knee
Other sources suggest that straightening the right knee during the backswing can improve power generation, stability, and overall swing effectiveness. Straightening the leg allows for enhanced hip rotation and depth, resulting in greater body rotation and the potential for increased acceleration during the downswing. This technique also helps to transfer weight onto the front leg during impact, providing additional stability.
Individual Variation
The decision to keep the right knee flexed or straighten it during the backswing ultimately depends on the individual golfer's flexibility, preferences, and performance. Most golfers do not have the flexibility required to keep the right knee flexed while also achieving a full hip and shoulder turn. However, for golfers with a long backswing who struggle with club path control, keeping the right knee flexed can help improve stability and control.
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Head position: Keep still, don't move horizontally or vertically
Head movement during a golf swing can be broken down into three types of movements: lateral, up/down movement, and the release. While some head movement is inevitable and even beneficial, excessive movement can lead to complications in your swing.
The head should remain still and centred over the ball or slightly forward, with the weight on the front foot. As you move into your backswing, your head may move back slightly, but it should recentre by the time of impact. It is important to avoid moving your head horizontally or vertically during the backswing. Moving the head down during the backswing involves changing the spine angle, which is not advisable. Moving the head horizontally involves sliding the hips, which is also not advisable and is an indication of a swaying swing error.
Some golfers, such as Tiger Woods, swivel their head to the right during the backswing, allowing them to get a full shoulder turn without the left shoulder hitting the chin. While this is acceptable, it is important to ensure that the left side of the head does not get closer to the target.
Beginner golfers should be particularly mindful of keeping their head stationary from a left-to-right perspective. One of the most common reasons golfers dip their head down and to the side is because of their chin position. If the chin is facing down, it is nearly impossible to rotate the lead shoulder underneath on the backswing, and the left shoulder will push the chin laterally instead of getting underneath it.
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Golf grip: Affects swing plane and clubface position
The golf grip is an important aspect of the setup that influences the swing plane and clubface position during the backswing.
The swing plane refers to the imaginary line along which the golf club moves during the backswing. The grip has a direct influence on the swing plane, determining the position of the club shaft in relation to the target. A stronger grip will steepen the swing plane, which is perfectly acceptable and even preferable for some golfers.
The clubface position at the top of the backswing is also influenced by the grip. A stronger grip will result in a slightly closed clubface, which is also acceptable and can make it easier for the average golfer to square the clubface at impact. This is because a stronger grip reduces the rotation of the left arm during the downswing, making it simpler to achieve a square clubface, which is crucial for accuracy.
To achieve a square clubface, the left wrist should remain in the same position as it was at setup, with the club face maintaining a constant relationship to the left forearm. This can be challenging for beginners, who may benefit from a stronger grip to help square the clubface.
Maintaining a neutral grip and hand position is key to achieving a square clubface. A grip that is too strong can turn the clubface left, while a weak grip can turn it right or make it more open. Practicing with alignment sticks and analysing swing videos can help golfers improve their clubface control.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal stance width depends on the player's preferences and needs. A slightly wider stance can benefit players who require more lateral movement in their swing, while a narrower stance can discourage excess weight shift and increase rotation. However, if the stance becomes too wide or too narrow, it can negatively impact the swing.
The position of your arms relative to your upper body at the top of your backswing is crucial. If your lead arm is too vertical, it will result in an upright backswing, while a horizontal lead arm will lead to a flat backswing. The ideal position is slightly above the angle of your shoulders, allowing for a smoother downswing.
The grip is vital for achieving the proper wrist action during the swing. The club should be held in the fingers of the hand, with an overlap grip where the small finger of the right hand rests on the left. This ensures the shaft leans slightly towards the target and facilitates a successful impact position.
The chin should be positioned so that it does not restrict the movement of the arms and shoulders during the swing. Moving the chin out slightly can help achieve this, ensuring it does not impede the rotation of the spine.
The ball should be located in front of you, between your two feet, with the middle of the ball level with the crown of the driver when teed up. The ball's position varies based on the club, moving progressively further from the body as longer clubs are used.
