As a golfer, you should keep in mind that how you hit the golf ball is going to determine the efficiency of your shot. Begin with a routine of pre-shots as you address the ball. Then, bring the club back with a complete turn of the shoulder to execute a proper backswing.
Only then will you be in the correct position to begin the downswing and hit the ball. This is a skill that will not only help you realize distance but also accuracy.
Preparations for the Backswing
By maintaining your flexibility and mobility through exercises and stretching, you can improve your backswing. Start by placing the golf club across your shoulders at the back, then make turns from side to side. This should be done with the knees bent as though hitting the golf ball.
Prepare for your backswing by checking the basics using a pre-shot routine. Check your grip to make sure that the club is held in the fingers and not in your palm. Also, make sure that the position of the golf ball is correctly placed, relative to your body
Flex your knees as you lean towards the ball with your arms hanging down from your shoulders with minimal tension. Get a visual impression of the shot in your mind by focusing on the shot you want to make.
Beginning the Backswing
The club head should be kept low to the ground as the club back is swept back. Your hands, arms, legs, and the rest of your body should move uniformly during the takeaway. Make sure your balance is maintained by maintaining pressure on the inside of your back foot, as your shoulders turn and your weight is shifted to the back.
You should get a certain feeling in your body as the club is lifted back and up and as the body acts like a coil. The toe of your club face should be pointed upwards as the club is taken back. At an angle of 90 degrees, your wrists should cock.
The Apex of the Backswing
When your backswing is at its highest point, your shoulders should move behind the golf ball, maintaining your balance and posture every moment during your backswing. This can be achieved by maintaining your lagging leg in a bent position and resisting the urge of standing up straight.
At the top of your backswing, the body is ideally in a completely coiled position, ready to begin the downswing. Bear in mind that you are in the proper position for a potent downswing and impacting through the golf ball as the body uncoils.
Tips and Checklist for the Backswing
The tips below will be instrumental in bettering your backswing. The swing is a sequence that immediately starts following the takeaway. It will bring the club up until the top of your swing is reached.
Left Arm Kept Straight Through the Entire Backswing
From the time you address the golf ball to the time you get to the top of your backswing, the left arm should be maintained in a straight position. You should not let your left elbow bend at any time during the backswing.
Many golfers go wrong by allowing the elbow to bend, more so towards the end of their backswing, to allow them to bring the club back further. They do this hoping to generate extra speed of the club head during the downswing. You should avoid this.
Maintain Your Left Heel on the Ground
The left heel should be prevented from lifting off the ground as the golf club is being brought up during the backswing.
While some golfers benefit from lifting their heel as they swing their club back, this is not recommended. This is because it may contribute to a complete turn and swing when issues of flexibility otherwise make it a challenge.
Retain Some Flex in the Right Knee
Some level of flexion is to be allowed to the right knee through the course of the backswing. If it is possible, the right knee is to be kept in the same bent position.
This is opposed to keeping the right leg straight when you head to the apex of your swing, which should be avoided, as it significantly changes the hip angle and the angle of the swing path.
If you fail to maintain flexion on the right knee, you will end up locking the right knee – a swing error that changes the angle in the hips and results in an inside-out club path.
Left Knee Points Towards the Ball During Backswing
As about 80% of the body’s weight is shifted to the right foot during backswing, you should prevent your left knee from moving too much laterally. It should instead be able to move in a way that it points toward the golf ball, or some point close to the middle of your stance.
The left knee should not be allowed to bend or move too much towards the right foot. Allowing this will lead to a reverse pivot swing error.
Hip Rotation During Backswing
Rotation of your hips should be gradual. Particularly, they should begin coiling as soon as the backswing is initiated. This is when the shaft of the club is parallel in relation to the ground. The coiling should stop when the apex of the backswing is attained.
You shouldn’t rotate your hips at all in the ‘all-arms’ swing, as it fails to properly set up your body for the impact of the club on the ball.
Do not Slide Your Hips
The weight of your body is supposed to shift towards the right foot at the time of the backswing. It should naturally do so through your hip rotation, as well as the fact that your arms’ location is to your right.
Weight transfer should not take place through sliding your hips back towards the right foot. Doing so is a swaying golf swing error. We hope that our golf backswing tips will help you improve your game.
