Golf Swing - Backswing- From 9:00 to the Top

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 12-03-2007
This article has been read 8285 times.

Getting to the Top of the Backswing Correctly

From the 9 o’clock position the golf club must continue up on an arc (#46). This can only happen if you continue to turn the right shoulder out of the way. As the right shoulder turns out of the way, the arms, hands and golf club will continue to swing inside, however, after the golf club passes the 9 o’clock position, it will have to swing up. This combination is what I believe is the most difficult part of the backswing.

Don't Stop Turning the Shoulder until You Reach the Top

You can not stop turning the shoulder. If you do stop turning the golf club will start to swing up to much. If you continue to swing the golf club around with the shoulders the golf club will swing too much around. The combination is when the shoulders turn and the golf club swings up (#47). When you reach the top of the backswing with this combination you will be in position to swing the golf club down on the correct path and with clubhead speed. We are closing in on the top of the golf swing. Three lessons down and what is it five to go. I have said for years, if you get it to the top of the backswing in the correct position, you have an 80% better chance of making solid contact with the golf ball.

Top of the Backswing - Getting There

As the golf club leaves the 9:00 position, it has to continue on the arc until you reach the top of the backswing. There are a number of moving parts that must be in place during this journey. First and foremost the right shoulder must continue to turn. The right shoulder can not stop or change directions. If the right shoulder stops or tilts up, the golf club will swing up too much (#49). If the right shoulder turns too much the golf club will not go up (#50).

The Mechanics of the Right Shoulder Approcing the Top of the Golf Swing

As the right shoulder continues to turn in the backswing, the right hip must not follow it. The right hip has to resist turning so you can develop resistance. If you develop resistance in the backswing with the bottom half of your body, you will build up tension and that is where the ability to develop clubhead speed comes from.

As the right shoulder continues to turn level to the ground, the left knee will continue to turn more towards the golf ball. You have to make sure you do not allow the right knee to pass the golf ball.

As the right shoulder continues to turn, the left shoulder will move from the address position towards the golf ball. As the right shoulder continues to turn, your head will move slightly to the right (away from the golf ball). Your head will move a couple of inches as a result of the right shoulder turning out of the way. The head does not slide back and away from the golf ball with the lower body. The right knee never moves (#48).

Golf Backswing - How to Create Width

During the entire backswing, the left arm has remained long, not rigid. The right arm will begin to fold after the golf club leaves the 9:00 position. The reason the left arm remains long is to provide you with plenty of width in the backswing. Width in the backswing is the reason you can develop clubhead speed. If the left arm remains long you can swing the clubhead on the arc, and by swinging it on the arc you will be able to build clubhead speed in the downswing.

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You can continue on to the next series of golf lessons on the golf swing downswing. The first lesson in the Downswing series of golf lessons is on the basics of the downswing. Or you can view golf lessons on the golf follow through, grip, or setup.