How to Teach Top of Backswing - Golf Swing Tips
Backswing Top Position , Aim Shaft at Target for Perfect Swing Path
May 19, 2009
The fifth article in the series How to Teach Golf deals with the swing from half way back to the top of the back swing. Learn how to point the club at the target for the best chance of hitting fairways and greens.
Halfway Back to the Top of Back Swing
In the last article we dealt with how the wrists hinge and sling the club into plane. If this move is carried out correctly, the momentum created by the wrist cock will automatically pull the club to the top of the swing. The most important aspect of this is making sure the golfer keeps a good hold on the club.
- The last three fingers of the left hand should grip firmly and not let go of the club
- Encourage the pupil to keep their left arm firm and not let it collapse under the stress of reaching the top.
- Make sure the right leg does not buckle. The weight should stay on the inside of the foot.
It is necessary to keep some speed on the back swing or the pupil will not be able to use centrifugal force to find the correct plane. But too much speed will create stress as they reach the top. This is where your skills as a teacher come in. It is important to assess the strength and capability of the pupil.
If the right leg and left arm collapse, and are not strong enough to contain the torque, there is no alternative but to slow down the speed of the back swing.
Point the Club at the Target
The top of the back swing position is the last time a golfer has any real control over the golf shot. If the downswing starts from the wrong position it’s possible to make a few small adjustments, but it’s much easier to make adjustments onto the right line when the club is almost stationary at the top of the swing. Feed back of where the club is pointing relative to the target is essential information.
The pupil must be encouraged to ‘feel’ where the club is pointing. More than anywhere else in the swing this is the point where instinct and natural talent play a major roll.
Athletes Know Where the Target Is
Often on television there are highlights showing football players scoring goals without looking up to see where they are shooting. They have a natural instinct to ‘feel’ where the goal is. Similarly, a natural golfer instinctively feels where the club is pointing at the top of the back swing allowing them to make necessary adjustments if the club is off line.
But most golfers learning don't have this natural instinct and have to be artificially helped with swing feedback. This is where video and pictures play an important roll.
Top of Back Swing Feed Back
Using a seven iron get your pupil to hit a few shots on the driving range with you standing behind filming using a video or taking a picture with your mobile. You need to capture a photo of the pupil at the top of the swing to demonstrate where the club is pointing.
Seeing the picture will give the pupil necessary feed back. If the club is in an unusual position, for instance pointing a long way right, ask the pupil to swing to the top seeing if they can point the club to the left of target. Show them the result of their effort, there will hardly any difference from the first attempt.
Do not be critical at this point and show as much patience as necessary. This is very hard to change and requires many attempts, but every swing they try will add to their ability to control the club.
See also: How to Teach the Downswing - Pro Tip
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