The backswing does
not hit the golf ball, but this does not mean that executing a good backswing
is not important. A good backswing will set the club in a position of
power and control. Your body should feel like a coil, like a spring loading,
getting ready to unwind. You can practice your backswing anywhere that
you have enough space for a complete swing.
Picking the clubhead up in the air quickly, rather than sweeping the
clubhead low to the ground.
If you can maintain the extension in your arms and feel your weight
move to the inside of your back leg, you will develop the feeling
of coiling. All you have to do to start the downswing is let your
body naturally unwind, and the clubhead will naturally whip through
the ball.
For best results in improving your golf game, consult your local PGA
Professional. He or she can help you identify specific areas for improvement
and prescribe the practice techniques that are right for you.
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1.
Start
the backswing by sweeping the clubhead back smoothly. Be sure
that your keep the clubhead low to the ground in this first
step.
2.
When
swinging your club back, do not lose your balance. When your
weight pressure presses down on your back foot, keep the pressure
balanced to the inside of your foot. Although your clubhead
is kept low to the ground, do not let this low swing pull you
off balance.
3.
As
you swing the club back and up, you should feel weight pressure
build up in your back leg; this is the beginning of feeling
your body feeling like a tightening coil.
4.
Continue
to move your clubhead up, tightening the coil. Be careful not
to press too much weight pressure onto the front of your back
foot as you will not be able to complete your shoulder turn
and you will lose clubhead speed.
5.
For
the advanced golfer, pay attention to the position of the clubface
while making your coil. When the club reaches hip level, the
shaft of the club should lay over the extended line of your
feet. You can test this by laying a club back from your foot
line. The toe of the clubface should be pointed up toward the
sky.
6.
Stay
in your posture throughout the backswing by keeping the bend
in your back leg throughout the entire backswing. Do not stand
straight up with your body, but stay down so that you don't
move your body position.
7.
Allow
your shoulders to turn smoothly until your front shoulder is
behind the golf ball. You should now be at the top of your swing
and fully coiled.
RECOMMENDED
PRACTICE:
1.
Hold
the club on each end and put it up over your head.
2.
Drop
it down behind your head, and lay it across your shoulders.
3.
Next,
get in your golf posture and slowly turn your shoulders back,
keeping your back leg bent, and staying in your posture.
4.
Do this three times a week, for five to ten minutes. This is
a great exercise to do all year. Before you practice hitting
balls, or playing on the course, this exercise will stretch
and strengthen the back muscles used during the backswing.
Picking the clubhead up in the air quickly, rather than sweeping the
clubhead low to the ground.
If you can maintain the extension in your arms and feel your weight
move to the inside of your back leg, you will develop the feeling
of coiling. All you have to do to start the downswing is let your
body naturally unwind, and the clubhead will naturally whip through
the ball.
