Shortened Backswing - Thoughts on this? Pros/Cons?

[looseleftie]

Hello,

Haven't played a lot lately, life,work and family, etc...

Anyway, have come back to golf, and noticed my backswing seems quite short, with the left arm not evening being quite parallel with the ground.. I find my flexibility isn't my strength, and given I'm extremely close to 50, wondering whether I should just work at my game with a shortened backswing?

I have noticed I make better contact with the swing, yet do lose distance a little, nothing too extreme..

I am not a scratch golfer, more like heading to bogey golf in all fairness, and given my age and flexibility, wondering whether a shortened backswing may not hurt my game long term, as my aim is to get to bogey golf, and beyond if possible, (where I was very close too a few years ago hcp of 19), then stopped!

Love all thoughts and opinions on this, and others experience perhaps of using a short backswing.

Kind regards

looseleftie

 

[Bo the Golfer]

I'm in your age range and would say two things. One, work on your flexibility. This is one thing I try to do a lot of as it's always been a problem for me. Two, if the shorter swing is working go with it. I've actually worked to shorten my swing and when I get it right feel like I make much better contact. Good luck!

[Patch]

Shorter backswings offer up more club head control. More club head control contributes to better accuracy.  That's the up side. The down side is the shorter swing can rob the golfer of distance. 

Distance to most golfers, is more important than accuracy. That said, I know few golfers who get enough distance with their shorter, more accurate back swings. They play pretty well. 

In my game, I use alot of abbreviated back swings for approach shots to greens. Sometimes I use the same swings in windy conditions. The shorter back swing is just another shot I have in my bag. 

[TN94z]

The shorter back swing may allow you to make more center of the club face contact which "could" result in close to the same distance as a longer back swing with terribly off center club face contact. I'm just making that statement based off of my own experience of my 3/4 swings going as far as my full swings (those terms are based on my feels of each swing length).

I say work on your flexibility as well. I would work on that just for general health in addition to your golf swing.

[Vinsk]

9 minutes ago, Patch said:

The down side is the shorter swing can rob the golfer of distance. 

The upside is this isn’t always the case. Some people over swing which leads to a collapse of other important aspects of the golf swing. Trail arm position/movement, transition, pivot may in fact be better performed with a shorter bs thus a better strike and even more distance.

[Groucho Valentine]

When you make a shorter backswing (or what you perceive to be a shorter backswing) you'll instinctively try to make up for the speed and momentum you think you're losing with a shorter backswing at the by rotating your hips and body faster at the bottom. Which is kinda what you're supposed to be doing.... 

It actually sounds like a decent drill to just take a half backswing then go at it as hard as you can from there. 

[looseleftie]

Cheers guys, appreciate all feedback here...

Played this morning, I am feeling that perhaps this may be something I should work on.. Had some decent contact, and decent distance..For me, the biggest thing I noticed was my balance felt vastly improved.. Other opinions/views most welcome here..

Overall, the shortened backswing made my contact at impact that bit easier, which is huge for me.

[RWC]

Good luck with the transition. At 66, Mother Nature has helped me decide to shorten my swing. Working on flexibility has been a keep to trying to maintain reasonable distance with the shorter swing. Also, I fight the occasional attempt to lengthen the swing which wreaks havoc with my swing. If I focus on taking balanced in the swing I make a much more solid contact and tend to have pretty good distance

[arturo28mx]

Are you cocking your wrists 90 degrees at the end of the backswing? I am 60 years old and my left arm only reaches parallel, but I can still get good distance because I cock my wrists 90 degrees and can maintain lag on the downswing.

[Buckeyebowman]

On 4/9/2019 at 11:16 AM, Vinsk said:

The upside is this isn’t always the case. Some people over swing which leads to a collapse of other important aspects of the golf swing. Trail arm position/movement, transition, pivot may in fact be better performed with a shorter bs thus a better strike and even more distance.

That idea occurred to me. I see guys getting all out of whack trying to make a "full turn" when they're not physically capable of doing so! They wind up hitting the ball anywhere but near the center of the club face. 

That said, I would still advise the OP to work on his flexibility unless there's a physical issue that would make that dangerous. If he can develop greater flexibility, it can't do anything but help. 

I'm 66 and I can still swing the club back to parallel. My problem isn't my body, it's my mind! I get in a hurry to "hit" the ball rather than swing the club! 

[looseleftie]

Thank you again for taking the time out here posters.. Kudos...

Arturo, I don't let my wrists move at all (long story, when I began playing golf, had a few lessons with teacher who studies/taught the Gary Edwin right sided swing technique, encourages no wrists at all)...

Flexibility, yes something I am aware of the need of improving, especially as I age....

Had a hit today, when I get my fundamentals right, my  contact is crisp, and accuracy fine..

I noticed that I do lose some distance, but I think at least for the moment, that I will try and keep my game simple, less moving parts, and a swing that is easy to repeat with consistent contact.. Well, that's the plan!!

 

[RussUK]

@looseleftie i'm going the same route somewhat with my swing. Started this winter with the aim of being more consistent.

I started toying with a very very short backswing but with a full finish, using my core to to power the whole thing. I was surprised at how far i could hit with such a short swing. From there i moved to where i had a full shoulder turn and stop the arms there.

My arms are about parallel to the ground and my wrists are firm but mot stiff. I'm hitting it better than ever and while i have lost a little distance (on the shorter clubs) I'm sure once i get confident and get more aggresive with the rotation through the ball i'll be longer.

I looked for Pro's with short swings and mine looks similar to TA3's swing, however i am no-where near as stylish!

My main swing thought is left shoulder down to start the backswing.