Nina Caldwell
Shortening your backswing in golf can be a great way to improve your game. While some golfers worry that a shorter backswing will result in a loss of distance, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, golfers with restricted mobility can learn to generate power and accuracy with a shorter backswing. Shortening your backswing can also help you to control the ball flight and make better contact. There are several techniques you can use to shorten your backswing, including keeping your elbows close together during the backswing, and practicing with a 7-iron to get a feel for a shorter swing.
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What You'll Learn
Keep your elbows close together
Keeping your elbows close together is an important aspect of improving your golf swing. Arguably the greatest golfer of all time, Jack Nicklaus, was an expert at keeping the club between his elbows throughout his swing. This technique results in a more level downswing, allowing for a cleaner hit with increased distance and accuracy. It also reduces the chance of chunking or slicing your shot.
To keep your elbows close together, one of the easiest ways is to get your lead wrist into a flat or slightly flexed position at the top of your backswing. This position naturally keeps the right elbow more tucked and closer to your body. You can also try the Casting Drill, which is built into the HackMotion app, to fix a flying right elbow and improve elbow positioning.
Additionally, you can try using a band or an impact ball, such as a headcover or golf glove, under your right armpit during practice swings. This will force you to keep your elbow close to your body and make it easier to repeat the correct motion.
Another tip is to focus on your wrist action. Incorrect wrist action will cause your elbow to move further away from your body. Analyzing over 1,000,000 golf swings revealed that golfers with more extension in their lead wrist struggled with a flying right elbow. Therefore, it is important to maintain good wrist positions throughout your swing.
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Avoid a flying right elbow
A common mistake that amateur golfers make is allowing their right elbow to "fly" out and away from their body during the backswing. This can lead to an inconsistent swing plane and a loss of power. To avoid this, focus on keeping your right elbow tucked in close to your body as you take the club back. Imagine that there is a strap connecting your right elbow to your hip, and that they always remain in close proximity to one another. This will help to keep your elbow down and under control, and promote a more compact and efficient backswing.
Another visual cue that can help is to imagine that you are swinging the club with your elbows rather than your hands. This will encourage you to keep your elbows close to your body and maintain a more connected swing. It will also help you to better sequence your arms and body during the backswing, which is crucial for maintaining power and control. So, focus on swinging with your elbows and keeping them tucked in, rather than allowing your right elbow to fly off on its own.
The benefits of keeping your right elbow under control are significant. Not only will it help you to be more consistent, but it will also promote better balance and stability throughout your swing. This is because a flying right elbow often leads to an over-reliance on the upper body to generate power, which can throw off your center of gravity and make it difficult to maintain your posture. By keeping your right elbow tucked in, you'll be able to better utilize your lower body and core, resulting in more powerful and controlled shots.
One drill that can help you get a feel for keeping your right elbow down is to practice swinging with a headcover or small towel under your arm. Place the headcover or towel under your right armpit and then make some slow, controlled backswings, focusing on keeping the headcover or towel in place. This will help you to feel what it's like to keep your elbow down and connected to your body. You can also try this drill with a golf glove tucked under your arm, which will provide a bit more of a challenge.
Finally, remember that a shorter backswing doesn't mean a less powerful swing. In fact, many professional golfers have relatively short backswings, but are still able to generate tremendous power due to their efficient technique and lower body strength. So, focus on quality over quantity and make sure that your backswing is compact, controlled, and connected, with your right elbow tucked in nice and tight.
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Practice with a 7-iron
To shorten your backswing in golf, you can practice with a 7-iron. Here are some tips to help you master this technique:
Fundamentals of the Backswing
Understanding the fundamentals of the backswing is crucial when using a 7-iron. The backswing is the initial movement that sets the tone for the entire swing. It involves rotating the upper body while maintaining a stable and balanced lower body. To achieve a proper backswing, start by gripping the club with a relaxed yet firm grip. This will give you better control and flexibility throughout your swing.
Alignment and Foot Placement
Proper alignment and foot placement are essential for achieving a straight shot with a 7-iron. Position your feet parallel to the target line. Additionally, controlling your weight throughout the swing is crucial. Drive down and through the ball with your right side (for right-handed golfers), ensuring your chest is even with the ball and not falling back.
Tempo and Wrist Firmness
As you transition from the backswing to the downswing, maintain a consistent tempo. Keep your wrists firm to strike the ball cleanly and send it straight toward your target. A consistent tempo helps you control the swing radius, improving power and strike accuracy.
Practicing with Different Swing Lengths
Spend time on the driving range experimenting with different lengths of backswing to understand the impact on your shots. This will help you develop a feel for different swing lengths, enabling you to adjust your swing during play to achieve the desired distance.
Visual Aids and Feedback
Consider using tools like Swing Align to get visual feedback on your practice swings. This tool helps you understand the proper swing motion and check if your shoulders are fully rotated at the top of your swing. It also aids in aligning your body square to the target and positioning the ball correctly in your stance.
Remember, mastering the 7-iron swing takes consistent practice and a solid understanding of the fundamentals. Focus on developing a consistent and comfortable swing, and you will see improvements in both your distance and accuracy on the golf course.
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Focus on control, not speed
Golfers often worry that a shorter backswing will lead to a loss of power and distance. However, this is not necessarily the case. A shorter backswing can help golfers generate more power and accuracy. It can also help golfers with restricted mobility.
When you shorten your backswing, you have more control over the club and your body. This is because a shorter backswing reduces the number of moving parts, minimising the risk of errors. It is easier to make solid contact with the ball when you have a shorter backswing. Think of it as throwing a dart: it is easier to hit the target when standing two feet from the board than twenty feet.
To shorten your backswing, focus on keeping your arms and elbows close to your body as you turn. Your arm at the top of the backswing should be roughly parallel to your shoulders. If your arms are above the shoulder line, you may overswing.
It is also important to remember that your feel for the swing is not always accurate. What you think is a 3/4 swing may actually be a full swing. To improve your feel for the swing, try taking swings with a 7-iron or another club and comparing your internal measurement to video evidence. You may find that you need to start with an extremely short swing, like a chip, and gradually work your way up.
Another tip is to use a training aid, such as a swing extender or a swim float, to help create more structure in your trail arm on the takeaway. This can prevent your arm from collapsing and shorten your swing.
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Use a swing extender or swim float
Using a swing extender or a swim float on your trail arm is a great way to shorten your backswing. The swing extender is a training aid that helps create more structure in your trail arm on the takeaway, preventing too much collapse in your right elbow at the end of your backswing. This is a simple yet effective way to shorten your swing and improve your game.
The swing extender does this by keeping your trail arm more extended, making it harder to swing the club back too far. This added structure and reduced collapse in the trail arm lead to a shorter and more controlled swing. By preventing the collapse of the right elbow, you effectively shorten the length of your swing, leading to more consistent and accurate shots.
You can purchase a swing extender, which is specifically designed for this purpose, or you can use a swim float as a cheaper alternative. The swim float will have a similar effect on your trail arm, creating more structure and reducing the collapse of your elbow. This method is a great, low-cost option to improve your swing and gain more control over your shots.
By using either of these tools, you will be able to focus on creating a more structured and stable backswing. This will lead to improved consistency and accuracy in your shots. It is a simple yet effective way to gain more control over your golf swing and, ultimately, improve your overall game.
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Frequently asked questions
A shorter backswing can help golfers gain more control over their swing and make better contact with the ball, without necessarily losing power or distance. It can also help golfers develop a better sense of their club, wrist, body, and head position.
A long backswing can be caused by a golfer's chest stopping turning while their arms continue moving, or by a "flying right elbow" (if the golfer is right-handed).
Focus on keeping your arms and chest turning together, and make sure your elbows stay close to your body during the swing. You can also try taking a 7-iron to the range and practice hitting the ball 100 yards or less, which will force you to use a shorter backswing.
One way to check is to use a camera or mirror to observe your swing. Compare your internal measurement of a full swing to the video evidence, as you may not be aware of how long your swing actually is.
Start with a very short swing, almost like a chip, and gradually work your way up. You can also use a training aid like a swing extender or a swim float on your trail arm to create more structure and prevent collapse during the takeaway.
