How to Improve Your Backswing in Golf
By Bill Herrfeldt
How well you make your backswing in golf sets the stage for how you will ultimately hit the shot, so it needs to be as perfect as you can make it. But that is not as easy as it seems, because it involves your set-up, the way you turn your shoulders and hips, the position of the club at the top of your backswing and other factors. But don't despair, because once you master your backswing, you will begin recording lower scores and enjoying the game more.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Make sure of your posture and the position of your feet when you address the ball. To have the correct posture, first bend at the waist until your club is touching the ground, then bend your knees slightly and distribute your weight evenly between your feet. Adjust your stance so the ball is in front of the face of the club.
Keep your right arm stiff throughout your backswing, or you'll run the risk of not being able to repeat the correct backswing time after time. This is important because making the same backswing will lead to consistency, resulting in lower scores.
Turn your shoulders so that at the top of your backswing, the left one is close to being directly below the one on the right, assuming you are a right-handed player. At the same time, your hips should turn, but only about half as much. Do not encourage such action by swaying away from your target on your backswing because that will ultimately rob you of distance. Instead, make believe your head is in a vise slightly behind the ball so that it will remain steady throughout your swing.
Bring the club to the top of your backswing so that it is as close to parallel with the ground as possible. Also, you will know that you have made a good backswing if the club is pointing directly at the target, and the nose of your clubhead is pointing toward the ground.
About The Author
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic." He graduated from the University of Louisville.
