There are many different feels that golfers use to start the golf swing. While most know the swing should start with a one-piece takeaway there has to be one particular muscle group that starts off the chain reaction. Some like to concentrate on hand action, rehearsed in a waggle, to start the backswing. Others feel the backswing starts with a hip turn, while many like to feel the left arm initiates the takeaway to help retain swing width. But if a golfer has tried these and still find they hit the ball inconsistently, try starting the takeaway with the right shoulder.
Contents
- 1 Correct Shoulder Turn Creates a Perfect Swing Chain Reaction
- 2 Drill to The Feel of the Right Shoulder Takeaway
- 3 Backswing Release for Perfect Golf Swing Plane
- 4 How to Release the Club into Plane on the Backswing
- 5 Brace the Right Side on Takeaway for Backswing Plane
- 6 Plant the Left Leg to Release at Impact
Correct Shoulder Turn Creates a Perfect Swing Chain Reaction
- All parts of the body are interlinked and a good shoulder turn sets up the correct chain reaction
- Starting the swing correctly with the right shoulder makes the hips turn, which pull the legs into a powerful dynamic position.
- The body turn pulls the arms, hands, and club away from the ball in a sweeping action, which creates momentum and a swinging sensation.
- With the club swinging back at a natural smooth speed half way back centrifugal force to kicks in, which makes the wrists hinge the club onto the perfect backswing plane.
- The extra momentum injected into the backswing by the wrist cock helps pull the golfers arms to the top of the backswing.
- From the correct top of the backswing position there is no need to make any complicated adjustments to the downswing plane during the transition and the arms will naturally drive down on the right inside path.
- Rather than the right shoulder coming round or over the top, which happens on the downswing of many golfers who slice, the right shoulder should feel as though it is moving underneath, which sets up an inside path to hit a draw.
- With the club on the right path coming into the ball the hands will naturally release the club with maximum power accuracy and club head speed.
- The momentum of the club whipping through impact pulls the golfer into the correct finish position.
Drill to The Feel of the Right Shoulder Takeaway
- If the swing takeaway is to be initiated by turning the right shoulder it is imperative that the shoulders are set in the correct position in the stance.
- Check address alignment paying particular attention to the shoulders – ask a friend to put a club across the shoulders to indicate aim.
- The right shoulder should be lower than the left in the address position as the right hand is below the left in the golf grip.
- The right shoulder is powerful and will naturally initiate a swing if the club is particularly heavy. As a drill to encourage the correct feel hold a few clubs together and make a practice swing. This will encourage the right shoulder to start the swing.
- Before a golfer initiates the swing it is important to relax the neck muscles as much as possible. If the neck muscles become bunched through tension they inhibit the shoulders from turning.
The golf swing is a chain reaction, start it correctly with a perfect move away from the ball and the club will naturally swing through the correct positions for perfect swing plane and an easy to repeat swing for consistent hitting.
Backswing Release for Perfect Golf Swing Plane
To hit the ball consistently well a golfer must swing the club in plane on the backswing and downswing. The key to swinging in plane on the backswing is to encourage the hands to release the club naturally using centrifugal force. Follow these tips on how to firm up the right side during takeaway to release the club onto the perfect backswing plane and position for maximum club head speed at the ball.
How to Release the Club into Plane on the Backswing
- To build a swing that repeats under pressure the club must be in plane on the backswing and downswing.
- Hand action and arm rotation, called release, is responsible for swinging into plane accurately.
- This release happens naturally if the lower body and legs resist on the downswing and backswing invoking centrifugal force.
- Most golfers know that if they brace the left leg on the downswing the hands release past the body.
- To swing into plane on the backswing a similar move must be made.
- If the right leg is stable and resists during the takeaway the hands have to release the golf club into plane.
- If the right leg crumbles there is nothing to invoke centrifugal force and the hands do not release the club onto plane correctly.
Brace the Right Side on Takeaway for Backswing Plane
The correct right leg position in the stance helps create resistance and therefore centrifugal force. When a golfer sets up to the ball it is vital to set the right leg so it can resist the turning of the upper body as the shoulders swing the club away from the ball in the takeaway. Some top professionals like to feel the right knee is kicked in towards the hole slightly, which immediately offers resistance.
It is crucial during the takeaway that the right leg resists, particularly as the club nears hip height. At no time must a golfer allow body weight to move onto the outside of the right foot. Building a firm base to offer resistance will let the hands naturally release and swing the club into the correct backswing plane.
Plant the Left Leg to Release at Impact
If the club is in plane on the backswing there will be no need for a golfer to have to make complicated adjustments to the downswing path and plane and all energy can be poured into creating club head speed at the ball. This is achieved by using the left leg and hip to start the downswing, which sets up a firm left side to hit against.
If a golfer keeps the head anchored to stabilise the top half of the body, and the left leg drives and then braces, just as a hitter in baseball, centrifugal force will create the most powerful release into the ball.