|
If you have read my article in the September issue of The
Dorset Golfer - GRIP, AIM, STANCE and POSTURE: The Vital
75% - you should now have a consistent position at address to
allow you to think about the backswing.
The backswing or hitting position (they both mean the same)
has only one purpose and that is to put you and the club into
the most effective position for you to hit the ball.
The address position represents 75% of the shot and, in my
opinion, the backswing represents a further 20%. This means
that 95% of the shot has been accomplished by the time you
reach the top (end) of the backswing.
There are undoubtedly many brilliant golfers with excellent
hand eye co-ordination who can produce good golf shots from
almost any position but they still prefer to make it as easy
as possible by having a technically correct backswing.
If anyone tells you this game is easy and the backswing is
simple do NOT believe them because golf is the hardest game in
the world, and even though some people find it easy the vast
majority of people do not and this could include you and many
of your friends.
Your backswing is based on your physique. It is almost
impossible therefore to expect you to have a backswing based
on theories. A popular theory is that the club should be
parallel to the ground at the top of the backswing. If this is
correct the following golfers have got it wrong - Tiger Woods,
Ernie Els, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Anika
Sorenstam, Bobby Jones - the list is endless. Do not take my
word for it: switch on your television or go to a tournament
and watch how far back golfers take the club in real life.
Some golfers will have the club parallel to the ground and
many brilliant golfers take the club back a long way past
horizontal. It is therefore not essential to have the club
parallel and perhaps you are physically unable to achieve this
theoretical position anyway. The club is moved back as far as
you can move it back on plane (line). We are all different so
develop your backswing based on your physique.
One of my pupils plays off a 3 handicap and he has the shaft
parallel to the ground with a 6 iron because he achieves a
wrist hinge of 150 degrees. Another pupil playing off a 9
handicap has the shaft vertical with a 6 iron because his
wrists can only hinge 60 degrees.
We are all different and it is vital that the backswing is
governed by individual physiques rather than theory.
In essence the backswing is a combination of:
A hip and shoulder rotation.
A vertical lift with your arms.
A wrist hinge.
A left forearm rotation.
The right arm bending (folding).
Combining these movements into one movement is very difficult.
It is well worth the effort however as a good position at the
top of the backswing will allow you to move down and through
without further corrections.
I shall not attempt to explain in this article how to combine
these movements. Such an explanation needs to take place on a
one to one basis with the use of cameras and computers and a
discussion of ones personal physical flexibility.
There are however a few guidelines that can be used including
the following:
An immediate hip and shoulder turn is essential as a body turn
WILL move the arms but the arms will NOT necessarily move the
hips and shoulders.
A wrist hinge MAY happen automatically but not necessarily so
the wrist hinge may have to be practised.
The arms will probably lift as you turn so there may not be a
requirement to lift them.
Your right arm will probably bend (fold) so you can almost
forget that element.
From a good stance and hip and shoulder turn weight
transference is automatic so you really do not have
to transfer your weight intentionally.
Almost all good teachers will agree that a good body rotation
is important in the backswing.
It is important for several reasons:
1. A good body rotation will allow the arms, wrists and club
to be moved back in plane.
2. A good body rotation will allow you to have a good rotation
through the ball and the faster this rotation is the faster
the club head is travelling hence more distance. Think of a
discus thrower and you will understand the importance of speed
and rotation rather than power. I never use the word power as
it is club head speed that creates distance and not power.
A double-decker bus is far more powerful than a Ferrari Dino
but the Ferrari is much faster so see yourself as a Ferrari
rather than a double-decker bus.
3. A good body rotation will move your weight to the inside of
the right heel making the transition of weight to the
left side before impact relatively easy.
How far to turn your hips and shoulders is dependent entirely
on your physique.
Most good golfers turn their shoulders twice as far as their
hips. This happens for the simple reason that your feet are in
contact with the ground so if you turn the shoulders and hips
the shoulders will always turn more.
Your hips have to
turn and if they do not a good shoulder turn will be
almost impossible.
If you recall the importance of the address position (75% of
the shot) I will explain how vitally important your feet are.
Your feet are your only contact with the ground and the way
you position them at address will dictate how far your hips
and shoulders can turn.
Photo no. 1 shows both feet turned to the left and the white
pole across my chest shows a very restricted shoulder turn.
Photo no. 2 shows both feet turned to the right and the
white pole now shows a much greater shoulder turn.
Photo no. 3 shows my right foot at right angles to the
target line with the left foot turned out. The white pole now
shows a shoulder turn of approximately 90 degrees.
There is no point in turning more than 90 degrees so it is
important that you experiment with different foot positions so
you find the best one for you to achieve a good hip and
shoulder turn. Always bear in mind that the right foot should
be more or less at right angles and the left foot should be
the one to adjust.
I suggest to all of my pupils that they look at their feet
before EVERY shot as golf is not a guessing game. The ball is
static so you have plenty of time to check your feet.
The speed of the backswing is discussed endlessly but it is
not important.
How many times have you heard the cry ‘slow down’?
If your backswing is pretty poor and fast and you slow it down
you will have a pretty poor slow backswing.
Little point in slowing it down then really.
A good backswing at any speed is still good backswing.
You and the club HAVE to stop at the top so you can come down
again so it is important to go back at a speed that you can
control.
This article is designed to stimulate your mind and reading it
will not produce your perfect backswing but it should produce
food for thought.
Remember the club and ball are static so you are in complete
control.
Back
to Food For Thought Index
|
