Putting - Backwing - Arms

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 12-17-2007
This article has been read 1645 times.

Putting Instruction - The Correct Backswing

When you address the golf ball the putter head is soled on the ground. The shaft of the putter goes toward the center of your body and you are gripping the putter with the grip you choose.(#22)

Putting Backswing - Focus on the "Y"

Because you are bent over at the hips your arms hang from your upper body and they form the capital letter "Y". The backswing is a movement of the shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, putter shaft and putter head swinging back in one piece.(#23)

Putting Instruction - The Right Shoulder Tilts - It Does Not Turn

As the backswing begins the right shoulder will have a slight tilt up as the putter head swings straight back away from the golf ball. The entire swing back and forth is a one piece swing with the "Y" swinging back and forth.(#24)

It is very difficult to build a consistent and dependable putting stroke if the wrists become independent of the arms and putter. The sole purpose of swinging the "Y" is to make sure you maintain a smooth and repeatable stroke.

If you swing the "Y" correctly the right shoulder will tilt up in the backswing and the left shoulder will tilt down. During the backswing the putter head has to stay as close to the ground as possible. Of course if you have a 40 foot uphill putt the length of the backswing will be much longer than a 10 foot putt. During the backswing of a 40 foot putt, the putter head will come up higher off of the ground than a 10 foot putt.(#25)

Correct Puting Grip

After you have gripped the putter both thumbs should point straight down the shaft. During the backswing the putter face should not roll open. If you feel the thumbs roll to the right in the backswing that means the clubface is opening and the "Y" is not intact.(#26)

Use the "Y" to Develop a Consistent Putting Stroke

By maintaining the "Y" in the backswing you can develop a stroke that will have the same amount of impact every time. The wrists have no place in the putting stroke. Using the "Y" you can develop a putting touch for all distances. It is very difficult to develop a putting stroke using your wrists. Any wrists movement in the putting stroke will add loft at impact and inconsistency to your distance control.