Now that the correct grip and set-up position have been adopted we will now look at developing the golf swing.The main purpose of the backswing is to place the club in the correct position at the top-it is very much a positional movement.
Primarily the main objective of this session is to intially develop a half swing-back to waist high and then through to waist high.
Starting with a 7 iron and after taking the correct set-up position and grip we will now work on moving the club back.
With the clubface square at address our aim is to have the clubface square at three main points throughout the half swing.
At waist high on the backswing (figures 2 & 5)
At the impact position (figure 3)
At waist high on the follow through position ( figures 4 & 6 )
In order to understand these positions it’s important to make the correct movements during the swing
Fig 1
The principal thought is that the left hand and arm start the swinging movement and the body responds by turning to assist(not cause) the swing.In the correct takeaway the swinging of the left hand and arm takes the clubhead back at the proper/natural time.This natural swing helps to create the ideal swing plane,which we will discuss at a later time.
Fig 2
- Fig 3
Fig 4
At the halfway stage of the backswing two positions to avoid are:
If the wrists roll open,the clubface will be open at this point(figure 7)
If they roll in the opposite direction the clubface will be shut,facing the ground
These two positions will result in an off-line clubface position at impact,limiting your chances of straighter and more consistent strikes.
Figure 7
Figure 8
Two common takeaway errors to avoid are:
Too straight a takeaway causes the left shoulder to dip which leads to a steep/upright swing plane-preventing a correct downswing
Taking the club too much on the inside also prevents a correct downswing.
With the club now positioned correctly halfway back we will then swing forward to the impact position and through to wasit high on the forward swing.Once again checking for a square clubface at this two positions.
Spend some time working at making this swinging action a flowing movement,stopping occasionally to check your clubface at the so called checkpoints as mentioned earlier.
During this swinging drill the movement in the lower body will be quite limited.On the backswing the hips will be pulled slightly to the right with the left knee starting to move a little behind the ball and on the forward swing the hips will turn a little in the direction of the target with the right knee moving in the same direction,forcing the right foot to come off the ground slightly.
