Seven backswing checkpoints

This week you’ll understand how to get into a great top of backswing position and have seven checkpoints for you to focus on during some practice or mirror work.

CHECKPOINT 1

Make sure you’ve loaded the majority of your bodyweight on to the inside of the back foot on the backswing!

AVOID

Rolling weight onto the outside of the back foot. This will cause a loss of control, power and balance.

Lifting the heel of the front foot excessively.

CHECKPOINT 2

Maintain a slight flex in the knee of the back leg!

AVOID

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Straightening the back leg, as this will also cause a loss of control, power, balance and accuracy.

CHECKPOINT 3

Load up the back hip fully, making sure it stays just inside the back foot line!

AVOID

Swaying the back hip to the outside of the back foot line or any excessive move in the opposite direction.

CHECKPOINT 4

TVA Activation – This should be the first thing you do before commencing the backswing. Draw the stomach muscles slightly inwards to help protect the lower back. This TVA muscle must be actively held in for the whole swing!

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*TVA (horizontal band of muscle around the mid-section – not unlike an internal corset)

AVOID

Getting lazy around the stomach muscles, as power is definitely lost and you’re at more risk of lower back injury.

CHECKPOINT 5

Rotate the upper body fully. Keeping the chest open and extending the mid to upper spine to maximise rotation. The left shoulder should load past the stance centre line!

AVOID

Rounding the shoulders forward as this will limit rotation.

Having slouched posture as this also limits rotation.

CHECKPOINT 6

Keep the hands as far away from your head as possible!

AVOID

Excessive bending of the arms and getting the hands too close to the head.

CHECKPOINT 7

The head is allowed to move into the top of backswing!

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*The head can move no more than half a head width sideways into the backswing.

* It can also drop in height by no more than an inch or two.

*It can rotate into the backswing, but be sure the eyes are still on the ball.

AVOID

Excessive head movement outside of the parameters above and do not try to keep your head totally still – this is unnatural and nearly impossible.

Michael Langford

Golf Performance Ireland

Roe Park Resort

Bookings 07732680065