Hi Paul, extremely good drill for me since I tend to take it a bit too much on the inside and crosses the line at the top of the backswing. My questions are (1) how do I pick up and rotate (go up) to the top once you have maintained the “Y” at your back foot; and (2) is there a possibility for one to turn his/hers shoulders to much in the backswing (causing to cross the line at the top)? Thank you so much Paul, you da man.
You are turning to halfway back. Then you are lifting the club up to the top until you train it to go up there. Once you have, it will go up there on its own. If you do not go up you will get the club too far behind you and too flat.
Yes, turning the shoulders back too much can certainly make it cross the line. If you resist with the lower body it will be tough to turn back to much.
Just returning from a second practice session w this drill. I’m wondering about my right (back) knee. Flexed yes, but my tendency is to let the right hip go back…which (I think) has me too far inside and fighting straightening my front leg. I know I don’t want the knees straightening going back….where’s the feeling? The loading up feeling…..Instep of right foot?
In the takeaway you have only taken it back about a foot or two. There would only be a very slight shift at this point and occurring as you are turning back. So from there to half way you head would move 1 inch and you would be at 60% on the right. Three quarters back your head would move 2 inches and 70% on the right. Top your head would move 3 inches and you would be fully loaded.
As your shoulders move you will want to move your hips as well. Doing so is not coiling the spring properly. If the top moves 90 degrees it would take a while to pull the knees into position. So your job is to keep the lower body stable knowing full well it will be pulled into position by the shoulders. If so, you will get the tight coil. If not, you won’t so you will end up hitting because you have no spring-like effect.
I am worried about activating my arms, so I would like to take the Arm Trangle back by using my Left Shoulder, the feeling I have is to move the club by rotating the Left shoulder round round and back and as the shoulder rotates it makes a perpendicular line to the middle of my chest perpendicular line, eg shirt buttons, so it “feels” like a square box and not a circle even if the club is going back in a circle. Do ypu get the same feeling.?
I already teach you to take it back with the left shoulder so this is a great thought. I start the Y back with my shoulders to the halfway back point (clubshaft parallel to the ground) then it hinges up on its own. So yes, I would think this is the same feeling. I checked out the swing you sent to Pete. It’s a good move. Just needs a little work and you should play great.
Paul,
Thanks for all the great tips. I do have a general question though. That is how to go from practicing to playing a round of golf. I have recently been working on four of your swing positions for example. I find that they are still not in grained and think about them when I am setting up over yhe ball. I go “coil”, “hinge”, “touch legs”, “touch head” to try to remind myself. Then when I add in to keep my right leg stable, i wind up hitting a terrible shot.
Do you have any suggestions on how to practice and are we just trying to “feel” the positions when we play. There is a lot to remember! Thanks again for all your great instruction. I am really encouraged and. See great improvement. Tom
You cannot expect to do everything especially when you play. Work on one or two things. Master them. Then work on others. When playing again pick out a couple of things. If you try everything this is way too many thoughts. This is totally different than your old swing. It’s going to take time to master it when you play. Just follow the tips above and you will be fine.
Fine drill,Paul than you .I picked up a drill with the same goal from CARL LOHREN ,parallelling yours .
At adddress ,seize your left wrist with your right hand ,then get in the “Y” position you demonstrate ,put the right hand back on the handle and go to the top .Less simple than your drill but fool proof.
Love this “checkpoint” series and associated drills to master the checkpoints. I believe my trouble starts at the “halfway back” position (location of the club when I run into trouble is too far outside my toeline .It’s still parallel to the alignment stick and my left arm is still connected). This results in a vertical move to the top and then an “over the top” downswing to compensate resulting in a “pull slice” which hits the desired target but is less than an ideal shot. I am wondering if the drill above could also be used from the halfway back spot and then go to the top and hit the shot. If it is, could you shoot that as a tip?
Outside the toeline at this point is definitely not good. I would check your set up too. You might be too tilted. I like people tall. Then coiling back. I you coil back the arms wouldn’t go up outside the line unless you lift them up.
Hello Paul I follow your lessons for quite a while now and with good results! But I still have problems with irons 7, 6 and lower. Eight outof ten I hit the turf in front of the ball instead of after. Do you have a suggestion for me to correct this. Thanks.
Yeah, this one is very good as I tried it today and was just striping them straight on line. Was a good fix for the error I had in taking it back a little too inside and crossing the line at the top and hitting left of target. I know this cause I took some videos last time out and virtually every one I was crossing at the top. This was a big revelation for me cause I thought I was parallel at the top and was changing other things to compensate. Literally fixed it from the first swing. Thanks. Taking it to the course tomorrow, so hoping to see that target improvement.
You are going to go back as far as you can go then fully hinge the wrists. Even with limited mobility you should be able to get it to almost parallel. If you are too shot with minimal hinge you just aren’t going to hit it anywhere.
Hi Paul
I have always gone on the inside, probably because I pick the club up with the wrists…. I am trying to use the one piece s it loos like it will work for me and has when I get it right… more practice needed however I have a question regarding the positioning of the club behind the ball at address (you appear to have and inch or so space between the ball and the club at address) I usually tuck it right in to the ball? and as I am trying to do it your way thought I would ask what you advise
Thanks
Ken
I do this so I don’t touch the ball and potentially move it causing a penalty shot. With driver I do this so I don’t knock it off the tee. When you have teed up as many balls as I have I don’t need to be teeing the same ball up twice. I can’t even remember when I started doing this but it is definitely a habit. It is totally up to you what you would like to do.
Yes, there are so many tips on the site that I know people are not watching. The basics are where it all starts. You need these first then tidy up the rest.
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30 Responses to “DRILL – Takeaway To The Top Of The Backswing”
September 10, 2014
ZamHi Paul, extremely good drill for me since I tend to take it a bit too much on the inside and crosses the line at the top of the backswing. My questions are (1) how do I pick up and rotate (go up) to the top once you have maintained the “Y” at your back foot; and (2) is there a possibility for one to turn his/hers shoulders to much in the backswing (causing to cross the line at the top)? Thank you so much Paul, you da man.
Zam
September 10, 2014
Paul WilsonZam,
Thanks for the support. I truly appreciate it.
You are turning to halfway back. Then you are lifting the club up to the top until you train it to go up there. Once you have, it will go up there on its own. If you do not go up you will get the club too far behind you and too flat.
Halfway Back: https://ignitiongolf.com/halfway-back/
Depth of Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/correct-backswing-depth/
Extend Left Arm Backswing at 3/4: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-three-quarters/
Yes, turning the shoulders back too much can certainly make it cross the line. If you resist with the lower body it will be tough to turn back to much.
Flexed Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-back-knee/
How To Feel Stability In The Lower Body (back knee flex) https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-body-stability/
How To Stabilize The Lower Body In The Backswing (belt buckle at ball): https://ignitiongolf.com/stabilize-lower-body/
October 22, 2014
CraigSmithHi Paul,
Just returning from a second practice session w this drill. I’m wondering about my right (back) knee. Flexed yes, but my tendency is to let the right hip go back…which (I think) has me too far inside and fighting straightening my front leg. I know I don’t want the knees straightening going back….where’s the feeling? The loading up feeling…..Instep of right foot?
Thank you!
October 22, 2014
Paul WilsonCraig,
In the takeaway you have only taken it back about a foot or two. There would only be a very slight shift at this point and occurring as you are turning back. So from there to half way you head would move 1 inch and you would be at 60% on the right. Three quarters back your head would move 2 inches and 70% on the right. Top your head would move 3 inches and you would be fully loaded.
Watch:
Weight Distribution: https://ignitiongolf.com/weight-distribution
October 22, 2014
CraigSmithhttps://ignitiongolf.com/lower-body-stability/
Perhaps this is one? Still wonder about a feeling in the back foot but perhaps that’s not a good idea?. Thanks again-Craig Smith
And it’s my back leg that wants to straighten….my left knee wants to stab out in front of me.
October 22, 2014
Paul WilsonCraig,
As your shoulders move you will want to move your hips as well. Doing so is not coiling the spring properly. If the top moves 90 degrees it would take a while to pull the knees into position. So your job is to keep the lower body stable knowing full well it will be pulled into position by the shoulders. If so, you will get the tight coil. If not, you won’t so you will end up hitting because you have no spring-like effect.
Flexed Back Knee: https://ignitiongolf.com/backswing-back-knee
How To Feel Stability In The Lower Body (back knee flex) https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-body-stability/
How To Stabilize The Lower Body In The Backswing (belt buckle at ball): https://ignitiongolf.com/stabilize-lower-body/
Hips: https://ignitiongolf.com/turning-hips/
Let’s Go Surfing: https://ignitiongolf.com/lets-go-surfing/
Just do this in practice swings every night at home. Way easier to work on this this way until you are used to it.
February 21, 2015
NazninKarimHi Paul
I am worried about activating my arms, so I would like to take the Arm Trangle back by using my Left Shoulder, the feeling I have is to move the club by rotating the Left shoulder round round and back and as the shoulder rotates it makes a perpendicular line to the middle of my chest perpendicular line, eg shirt buttons, so it “feels” like a square box and not a circle even if the club is going back in a circle. Do ypu get the same feeling.?
Regards
Naz
February 22, 2015
Paul WilsonNaz,
I already teach you to take it back with the left shoulder so this is a great thought. I start the Y back with my shoulders to the halfway back point (clubshaft parallel to the ground) then it hinges up on its own. So yes, I would think this is the same feeling. I checked out the swing you sent to Pete. It’s a good move. Just needs a little work and you should play great.
February 13, 2016
TomPaternaPaul,
Thanks for all the great tips. I do have a general question though. That is how to go from practicing to playing a round of golf. I have recently been working on four of your swing positions for example. I find that they are still not in grained and think about them when I am setting up over yhe ball. I go “coil”, “hinge”, “touch legs”, “touch head” to try to remind myself. Then when I add in to keep my right leg stable, i wind up hitting a terrible shot.
Do you have any suggestions on how to practice and are we just trying to “feel” the positions when we play. There is a lot to remember! Thanks again for all your great instruction. I am really encouraged and. See great improvement. Tom
February 14, 2016
Paul WilsonTom,
I have quite a few tips on this:
How To Take Your Swing From The Range To The Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/swing-range/
Taking Powerless Arms to the Course: https://ignitiongolf.com/powerless-arms-when-playing/
What To Think About When You Play: https://ignitiongolf.com/what-to-think-when-playing/
Playing Thoughts: https://ignitiongolf.com/playing-thoughts/
You cannot expect to do everything especially when you play. Work on one or two things. Master them. Then work on others. When playing again pick out a couple of things. If you try everything this is way too many thoughts. This is totally different than your old swing. It’s going to take time to master it when you play. Just follow the tips above and you will be fine.
February 13, 2016
RaymondCHASTELFine drill,Paul than you .I picked up a drill with the same goal from CARL LOHREN ,parallelling yours .
At adddress ,seize your left wrist with your right hand ,then get in the “Y” position you demonstrate ,put the right hand back on the handle and go to the top .Less simple than your drill but fool proof.
February 14, 2016
Paul WilsonRaymond,
This is fine. I used to get the feeling I was pushing the club away. This is a good thought too.
February 13, 2016
MichaelShannonLove this “checkpoint” series and associated drills to master the checkpoints. I believe my trouble starts at the “halfway back” position (location of the club when I run into trouble is too far outside my toeline .It’s still parallel to the alignment stick and my left arm is still connected). This results in a vertical move to the top and then an “over the top” downswing to compensate resulting in a “pull slice” which hits the desired target but is less than an ideal shot. I am wondering if the drill above could also be used from the halfway back spot and then go to the top and hit the shot. If it is, could you shoot that as a tip?
February 14, 2016
Paul WilsonMichael,
Glad you like them. I appreciate it.
Yes, you can use this drill. I did a tip on it here:
DRILL: Half back and up: https://ignitiongolf.com/half-back-and-up/
You could also do this:
DRILL: Match The Club To The Stick Drill: https://ignitiongolf.com/match-club-stick/
Outside the toeline at this point is definitely not good. I would check your set up too. You might be too tilted. I like people tall. Then coiling back. I you coil back the arms wouldn’t go up outside the line unless you lift them up.
Do the set up like this:
A New Way To Get The Taller Setup: https://ignitiongolf.com/new-way-taller-setup/
Also,
Sit On The Edge Of A Bar Stool To Set Up: https://ignitiongolf.com/setup-edge-of-bar-stool/
Taller Setup: https://ignitiongolf.com/bartender-setup/
Stand Tall with Short Clubs: https://ignitiongolf.com/stand-tall-short-clubs/
February 15, 2016
MichaelShannonYup. You’re 100% right….not tall enuf at address….now corrected! thanx for all the info….amazing you can pick that up 2500 miles away
February 17, 2016
Paul WilsonMichael,
Glad you found. I usually can go off the description and where the ball is going to let you know what you are doing. Just seen it a million times.
February 13, 2016
WillemHopsterHello Paul I follow your lessons for quite a while now and with good results! But I still have problems with irons 7, 6 and lower. Eight outof ten I hit the turf in front of the ball instead of after. Do you have a suggestion for me to correct this. Thanks.
February 14, 2016
Paul WilsonWillem,
Glad you are doing well.
This is very easy to fix.
Fat: https://ignitiongolf.com/fat-shots-cure/
Stop Fat Shots When Working On Moving Your Head: https://ignitiongolf.com/fat-shots-moving-your-head/
Watch:
February 20, 2016
KimBozikPaul,
Yeah, this one is very good as I tried it today and was just striping them straight on line. Was a good fix for the error I had in taking it back a little too inside and crossing the line at the top and hitting left of target. I know this cause I took some videos last time out and virtually every one I was crossing at the top. This was a big revelation for me cause I thought I was parallel at the top and was changing other things to compensate. Literally fixed it from the first swing. Thanks. Taking it to the course tomorrow, so hoping to see that target improvement.
Kim
February 21, 2016
Paul WilsonKim,
Yes, this is a good one because you can still hit perfect shots doing it. Keep doing this one for a while. You need to stop it going back instead.
November 26, 2016
Jim AllenWhat if you are not flexible enough to get to the top …
November 27, 2016
Paul WilsonJim,
You are going to go back as far as you can go then fully hinge the wrists. Even with limited mobility you should be able to get it to almost parallel. If you are too shot with minimal hinge you just aren’t going to hit it anywhere.
I did a tip on it here:
Limited Shoulder Turn? Power Is No Problem: https://ignitiongolf.com/limited-shoulder-turn/
So really loosen the wrists and get it hinging. This way you can get some lag and a faster release in the down and through swing.
December 14, 2018
Abbot KSnowIs this not what Justin Thomas and other pros are doing? Love it!!
December 16, 2018
Paul WilsonAbbot,
No idea. I’ve never seen them do this but I would assume some do this drill.
December 16, 2018
kennionjohnsonHi Paul
I have always gone on the inside, probably because I pick the club up with the wrists…. I am trying to use the one piece s it loos like it will work for me and has when I get it right… more practice needed however I have a question regarding the positioning of the club behind the ball at address (you appear to have and inch or so space between the ball and the club at address) I usually tuck it right in to the ball? and as I am trying to do it your way thought I would ask what you advise
Thanks
Ken
December 16, 2018
Paul WilsonKen,
I do this so I don’t touch the ball and potentially move it causing a penalty shot. With driver I do this so I don’t knock it off the tee. When you have teed up as many balls as I have I don’t need to be teeing the same ball up twice. I can’t even remember when I started doing this but it is definitely a habit. It is totally up to you what you would like to do.
December 16, 2018
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,Thanks for the “refresher ” course .It’s good to come back to the basics from time to time
December 16, 2018
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Yes, there are so many tips on the site that I know people are not watching. The basics are where it all starts. You need these first then tidy up the rest.
January 27, 2019
RoyWhen should the right arm begin to fold in the back swing?
January 28, 2019
Paul WilsonRoy,
Just after the takeaway. It will gradually fold to 3/4 back which is then almost tucked against your side.
Elbow Position Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/elbow-position-backswing/
Back Elbow Position At The Top (grapefruit): https://ignitiongolf.com/back-elbow-position-top/