Ava Romero
Me and My Golf is a golf coaching platform that has provided tens of thousands of golf lessons to the average golfer over the past 20 years. They have also worked with some of the best golfers in the world, including world number ones, major champions, and living legends of the game. Their YouTube channel, hosted by PGA Golf Professionals Andy Proudman and Piers Ward, offers simple golf videos that produce consistent results. In one video, they explain the backswing, which is a swing sequence that takes place immediately after the takeaway and brings the club up until it reaches the top of the swing. During the backswing, your weight should move towards your back, right foot.
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What You'll Learn
Keep your left arm straight
Keeping your left arm straight during a golf swing is crucial and easy to check. Although it isn't the dominant arm for right-handed players, the left arm is vital as it determines the spacing and arc of your swing, helping to control the club face and ensuring power through impact.
A straight left arm creates width and allows you to generate speed. At the top of the backswing, your lead arm should be straight and your wrists should be hinged. This is one of the key components in creating and storing power. Avoid creating another hinge by allowing your lead arm to collapse at the elbow, as you will lose the power you have generated.
There are several key positions to note: takeaway, left arm parallel to the ground, the top of your backswing, downswing, and impact. As you start your backswing, keep your left arm straight and close to your body until it approaches parallel to the ground and your wrists start to hinge. Your arms and body should be "connected" and your body should drive your turn away from the ball, not your arms. Golf is a rotational game, and body rotation creates speed and power.
A common cause of a collapsing lead arm is a weak grip. A weak grip means you cannot hinge your wrists, so you compensate by hinging your elbow. You can also collapse your arm in a bid to reach the top of your backswing if you are not very mobile.
It is important to note that while the arm is straight, it isn't utterly rigid. Rigidity restricts the flow of your swing, hampering your rhythm. Your muscles fire better when they are not tight, so you can keep your arm straight while not making it a source of tension.
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Don't lift your left heel
The backswing is a swing sequence that occurs immediately after the takeaway, bringing the club up until it reaches the top of the swing. During the backswing, your weight should shift towards your back, or right, foot. This weight transfer should occur naturally through the rotation of your hips.
Now, when it comes to the left heel, there are differing opinions on whether it should be lifted during the backswing. Some golfers argue that lifting the left heel can allow for a more complete turn and swing, especially if flexibility is an issue. It can also enable a greater rotation of the upper body.
However, the modern swing no longer promotes lifting the left heel. Keeping the left heel grounded can help maintain balance and stability during the swing. Additionally, the fewer the movements in a golf swing, the easier it is to hit good shots consistently. Lifting the left heel can make it more challenging to reposition the foot accurately for the downswing.
Ultimately, the decision to lift or not lift the left heel depends on what works best for the individual golfer. Some professional golfers, like Bubba Watson, lift their left heel, while others do not. If you're struggling with your swing, keeping the left heel planted may help improve your technique. However, if you're already a proficient golfer, making changes to your swing may not be necessary. Experimentation is key to finding what works best for you.
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Keep your right knee bent
Whether or not to keep the right knee bent during the backswing is a contentious issue in golf. While some sources claim that golfers should keep their right knee bent, others argue that straightening the knee by pushing the hip back is preferable. Ultimately, the decision depends on the individual player's needs and flexibility.
For right-handed golfers, keeping the right knee bent during the backswing can provide added power and accuracy. If the right knee straightens from its slightly bent position, the golfer loses the natural coil potential that would be generated in the right hip and leg. This coiling force helps accelerate and drive the golfer's hips during the downswing, resulting in greater explosive power through the ball at impact. Additionally, maintaining the bend in the right knee can help prevent common faults such as sliding or swaying of the hips and reverse pivoting.
However, keeping the right knee bent during the backswing may not be suitable for everyone. Some golfers may have tight or weak hips that restrict the necessary hip rotation during the swing, leading to straightening of the knee as compensation. This straight-knee compensation movement can interfere with the proper resistive coil in the right hip and contribute to common swing errors.
To improve hip rotation flexibility and strengthen the right hip and leg, golfers can perform exercises such as the "Prone Hip Rotation Stretch" and the "Lateral Lunge and Twist." These exercises, combined with continued swing drills, can help golfers achieve the necessary hip flexibility and strength to maintain a bent right knee during the backswing.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach in golf. Some golfers may benefit from straightening their right knee, especially if they have poor flexibility in the torso and shoulders. By straightening the leg, they can push their hips around more freely and create a bigger swing. Experimentation and finding what works best for the individual golfer are key.
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Move your weight to your back foot
During the backswing, your weight should shift to your back foot—in other words, your right foot. This weight transfer should occur naturally as a result of the rotation of your hips and the position of your arms, which will be on your right side.
It's important not to slide your hips backwards toward your right foot, as this is a common mistake known as the "swaying golf swing error". Instead, focus on keeping your spine angle intact and your head in the same position. Your head should not move horizontally or vertically during the backswing, as this can also lead to errors in your swing.
To achieve a smooth and powerful swing, make sure your left arm remains straight throughout the backswing. Avoid the temptation to bend your left elbow, even at the end of the backswing, as this can throw off the angle of your swing. Additionally, try to keep your left heel grounded during the backswing. While some golfers may benefit from lifting their left heel to achieve a full turn, it is generally not advisable as it can change the angle of your hips and the path of your swing.
Finally, remember that a good golf swing exhibits good rhythm. The backswing should be slightly slower than the downswing, allowing you to build up power and ensure a solid strike at the ball. By focusing on these key points, you'll be able to improve your backswing and take your golf game to the next level!
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Keep your head still
Keeping your head still during your backswing is a common challenge for golfers of all ages. The head is connected to the body via the cervical spine, which has a very mobile construction. To keep your head still, you need to understand how to tilt, extend, and turn.
The first step is to ensure that your head is centred in the backswing. This will enable you to hit forward on the golf ball, striking it before the ground and achieving a consistent, powerful shot. To achieve this, focus on keeping your head behind the ball at all times. A useful tip is to visualise your body as a coil and your head as the pin it tightens around.
Next, you need to understand the three movements of the spine during the golf swing: tilt to the left, turn to the right, and extend. To practice this, stand with your head against a wall and attempt a full backswing turn without scraping your forehead. This will help you understand the required movements to keep your head still.
Additionally, focus on keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. A drill to help with this is to hold a golf tee in your lips, pointing it at the ball throughout your backswing, downswing, and impact. This will give you immediate feedback on how it feels to keep your head still.
Finally, it is important to understand the concept of pushing vs. pulling during the swing. Many golfers move their heads off the ball during the backswing because they push from the left side. To avoid this, focus on creating a pulling motion with the right side of your torso and a rotary motion with your obliques, similar to Tiger Woods' swing technique.
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Frequently asked questions
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. Your left arm should remain straight and your weight should move towards your back right foot.
Some common mistakes include bending the left elbow, lifting the left heel, and straightening the right leg, which changes the angle of the hips. Another mistake is sliding the hips backwards towards the right foot instead of rotating them.
Focus on keeping your left arm straight and not bending your left elbow. Keep your head in the same position and avoid sliding your hips. Maintain flex in your right knee and ensure a smooth weight transfer to your back right foot.
