Golf Swing - Backswing - Top of Backswing

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 09-21-2007
This article has been read 6753 times.

Golf Backswing - Checkpoints at the Top of the Backswing

In this golf lesson we will discuss the correct position at the top of the backswing. When the golf club arrives at the top of the backswing there are four parts that have to be in the correct place.

The Club Points at the Target

The first thing that is extremely important is for the golf club to be pointing towards the target or slightly left of the target. Now what does this mean? When you address the golf ball, the ball is on what we refer to as the "intended ball flight line", and your feet are parallel to that line. At the top of the backswing the shaft has to aim parallel to your heel line or parallel left of the target.

Golf Lesson - Top of the Backswing

Getting to the top of the backswing is no easy feat. Let's go through some checkpoints to make sure all of the moving parts are in the correct place at the top of the golf swing. Your golf lesson checklist should start at the bottom of your golf swing (feet) and go all the way to the top of your golf swing (head).

At the address position the weight is evenly distributed between both feet (#51). The arms and hands start the golf club back in a one-piece-take-away which includes the right shoulder turning (#52). As the right shoulder continues to turn, the left knee will turn slightly towards the center of your body (#53).

On the other hand, the right knee never leaves its original position. As the top half of your body is turning, the right knee must remain in the exact same position (#51- #52- #53). When you are addressing the golf ball, the right knee has a slight flex. During the back swing, the right knee can not slide backwards nor can it straighten out and it can not flex more. The right knee is the foundation of the backswing, it takes on all of the force of the right shoulder turning and the hips resisting from turning. The right knee has to maintain this rock solid foundation so you can continue to turn the top half of your body against the bottom half.

Top of the Golf Swing - The Knees

When the golf club has reached the top of the backswing, the right knee will be there to support the upper golf club, arms, hands and upper body. If there is one part of the body that has to be in the correct position at the top of the backswing, it is the right knee. The function of the right knee is not only the foundation of the backswing. In the next section you are going to find out the value of the right knee in the downswing as well.

Wasn't that great? Now let's head for home. Four lessons down, four to go. Next chapter is Lesson Five-The First Move from the Top of the Downswing. You know the drill, keep working on the backswing, you can not ignore it.

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You can continue viewing golf lessons on the golf swing backswing. The next lesson in the Backswing series is on what happens from address to the 9:00 position. Or you can view golf lessons on the golf downswing, follow through, or grip.