Hi Paul,
Man this tip really hit home. I was having some success, but not consistent. so I went back to your basic’s and noted a flaw in my grip. My left hand thumb was not In my life-line but much lower toward the fingers. A few tips ago I asked you about long fingers and if they could cause a faulty grip. In any event by going back to a good grip and a one piece take-a-way the club become square at the top and what a great result in shot direction. I see what you mean by practice, practice, practice until it becomes habit!
Thanks, Mike
Mike, Long fingers can make the grip a little tricky. If this is you, you need the right size grips and work on perfect placement of the hands on the club. I have never had a problem getting larger hands in the right position. Just keep checking it over and over so it does not get out of whack.
Hi Paul
This tip provokes a question that I have had for awhile. I do your favorite preshot drill of making practice swings with the club above the ground and love the relaxed tempo that gives me. It’s hard for me to get that same smooth tempo when the plane becomes more upright. noticed that drill gives me a much flatter backswing than when I swing to hit the ball. Would you recommend trying to flatten that swing so it more closely resembles my above ground practice swing?
Jim, watch tonight’s tip. You will know which backswing I want you to do. Also, do what I suggested and do the drill in the air then lower it gradually.
I have a tendency to hit low balls with my 3wood. On my course on the 7th hole I need to hit a high ball to cut on the left side and fly the ball above a net that separates the fairway from the practice range. If my ball hit the net it’s a penalty my ball is in the practice range !!!
This is a band aid that will never work on the future. Sure, you are seeing results now because hitting the ball with the face squaring takes loft off the club. Compared to slicing these shots are great. Unfortunately, you are now manipulating the clubface. If the face is open or closed just a couple of degrees this is huge in the distance therefore it is very inconsistent.
You should be working on the taking it away perfectly but getting the wrists looser down and through impact. You do that by working on this:
Hi Paul, have the club sqaure and the right grip but still tend to hit high shots with either wood or iron. The local pro seems to think this isn’t a problem but if I could lower the trajectory I am sure I could get another twenty yards. As in previous tips I don’t want to lower the tee so achieve this?
I did tips on this s while back. You are hitting it high because you are chicken winging it.
Watch both of these tips then start working on it. It’s not an easy fix. Also, don’t get the ball going too low. The higher flight is way more advantageous especially when hitting long irons into greens.
Excellent points… extremely well explained. I have watched many people try & explain the correlation between your grip & your face position at the top of the backswing… most points get lost in the explanation. You made it very easy to understand. Great job Paul…
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
11 Responses to “Power: How The Top of the Backswing Affects Power”
September 12, 2012
mikeplummerHi Paul,
Man this tip really hit home. I was having some success, but not consistent. so I went back to your basic’s and noted a flaw in my grip. My left hand thumb was not In my life-line but much lower toward the fingers. A few tips ago I asked you about long fingers and if they could cause a faulty grip. In any event by going back to a good grip and a one piece take-a-way the club become square at the top and what a great result in shot direction. I see what you mean by practice, practice, practice until it becomes habit!
Thanks, Mike
September 14, 2012
Paul WilsonMike, Long fingers can make the grip a little tricky. If this is you, you need the right size grips and work on perfect placement of the hands on the club. I have never had a problem getting larger hands in the right position. Just keep checking it over and over so it does not get out of whack.
September 12, 2012
jimmarlowHi Paul
This tip provokes a question that I have had for awhile. I do your favorite preshot drill of making practice swings with the club above the ground and love the relaxed tempo that gives me. It’s hard for me to get that same smooth tempo when the plane becomes more upright. noticed that drill gives me a much flatter backswing than when I swing to hit the ball. Would you recommend trying to flatten that swing so it more closely resembles my above ground practice swing?
September 14, 2012
Paul WilsonJim, watch tonight’s tip. You will know which backswing I want you to do. Also, do what I suggested and do the drill in the air then lower it gradually.
Here is the tip:
DRILL: Start High Then Gradually Lower: https://ignitiongolf.com/start-high-gradually-lower/
September 12, 2012
MicheleTRIPAULTHi Paul
I have a tendency to hit low balls with my 3wood. On my course on the 7th hole I need to hit a high ball to cut on the left side and fly the ball above a net that separates the fairway from the practice range. If my ball hit the net it’s a penalty my ball is in the practice range !!!
September 14, 2012
Paul WilsonMichele,
This tip may help:
Fairway Woods: https://ignitiongolf.com/cure-topping-fairway-woods/
Plus watch this one:
Hit Ball Higher: https://ignitiongolf.com/shot-hit-higher
(same rules apply for fairway woods)
September 12, 2012
JoseCarcellerIs it possible to manually close the face of the club in the backswing when hinging your wrist? is it valid as well? I
September 14, 2012
Paul WilsonJose,
This is a band aid that will never work on the future. Sure, you are seeing results now because hitting the ball with the face squaring takes loft off the club. Compared to slicing these shots are great. Unfortunately, you are now manipulating the clubface. If the face is open or closed just a couple of degrees this is huge in the distance therefore it is very inconsistent.
You should be working on the taking it away perfectly but getting the wrists looser down and through impact. You do that by working on this:
Manually Square the Clubface: https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-squaring-clubface
Manually Square the Clubface (Follow Up): https://ignitiongolf.com/impact-squaring-face-follow-up
Once you work in this you straighten out your shots by starting the lower body first.
September 13, 2012
MartinRyanHi Paul, have the club sqaure and the right grip but still tend to hit high shots with either wood or iron. The local pro seems to think this isn’t a problem but if I could lower the trajectory I am sure I could get another twenty yards. As in previous tips I don’t want to lower the tee so achieve this?
September 14, 2012
Paul WilsonMartin,
I did tips on this s while back. You are hitting it high because you are chicken winging it.
Watch both of these tips then start working on it. It’s not an easy fix. Also, don’t get the ball going too low. The higher flight is way more advantageous especially when hitting long irons into greens.
Easy Ways To Lower Trajectory: https://ignitiongolf.com/hit-lower-easy-ways
Lower Overall Trajectory: https://ignitiongolf.com/lower-trajectory
April 1, 2021
JoeUpholzerExcellent points… extremely well explained. I have watched many people try & explain the correlation between your grip & your face position at the top of the backswing… most points get lost in the explanation. You made it very easy to understand. Great job Paul…