3 Tips for a Powerful Backswing
Think of your movement in the backswing as a coiling motion, just like a heavy rope being twisted. When the rope cannot coil any longer, the tension has built up and is ready to explode – the same way your body will when preparing for the downswing.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when working your backswing…
Backswing Tip #1
To know whether or not you are rotating your shoulders enough, keep in mind that your chin should be rotating just above the left shoulder when you get to the top. If not then you need more rotation. However, it's better not to touch your shoulder with your chin during your turn to the right or back left as you are swinging downward. The result in doing so causes a change in your swing plane by the slight or sudden change in the spine angle from bumping the shoulder. To maximize your back turn is to imagine that you have a big yellow "Happy Face" sticker, stuck to the upper center of your spine. Your back or sticker should face the target at the top. This insures you are creating maximum torque.
Backswing Tip #2
At the top of the backswing, your right leg should be in the same position as it was when the back swing started. Your upper body weight shifts to the right but stays inside the right foots arch and should be spread evenly from toe to heel. Your left foots big toe should point open toward your target. Ideally, your left foot should be open to the target approximately 15 degrees. Your spine angle should be titled toward the ball at address, from the hip socket at approximately 30 degrees. I use this setup myself and would add that my left foot is a few inches set backwards from the heel to allow the hips to clear a little early in the downswing. The right foot should not move and you must maintain sufficient flex in the right knee, or you'll have difficulty tilting laterally left at the top before you begin your downswing. You'll also lose most of the power you acquired from coiling. This move maximizes your power. Key note here is to remember to keep that rear knee flexed, or you'll lose power and your shot will finish out low and to the right.
Backswing Tip #3
Make yourself aware of your hands hanging naturally below your shoulders at address. Imagine them merging as just one hand together on the club, with a light grip pressure of about a 2 on a scale from 1-to-10. You will maximize your distance with a soft grip pressure. As you are taking the club back, keep your right knee flexed and pinched forward toward the target or your left knee. This allows for a more powerful coiling to the top. If you prefer, you can lightly pinch both knees towards each other with the same amount of pressure, which will help keep you in balance. Allow your hands and arms to swing back naturally, till the hands are waist high, before you start lifting your hands. This will load the shaft while your shoulders start turning to the right in that tight coiling motion. When your shoulders have completely turned away from the target, your chin should be above your shoulder and your center back facing the target. You will feel tightness in your lower back, right thigh and power in your right calf. If you don't, you'll know it by feel and won't be coiling properly. So practice on the range to commit it to muscle memory. Your ball striking is about to vastly improve!
Look for our upcoming tip on the downswing!
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