Past, Even or short of paralell

[Titleist Man]

At the top of your backswing are you at paralel, short of paralell or past paralell. If you are long do you want to shorten it and vice versa. I am past paralell and want to shorten it.

P.S. Im not sure what section to post this under.

[MiniMoe]

I'm working on getting my brother to video me so I can post it, but I am well short of parallel. I have never worried how far back my swing goes because the power in the swing is created in the angle between the wrist and the shaft from 3/4 down to impact. IMHO the downswing from parallel to 3/4 down helps set the lag angle, but does not create that much more speed in the swing. My swing goes back as until it is ready to stop, then I fire to the ball.

[right handed phil mickelson]

well, first off its spelled " Parallel "

And In my swing, I usually stop just past parallel. I get a better feel of the club, and get some extra power that way. Although it's not quite as accuarte as stopping just short of parallel, it still works for me.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Im short of parallel too. Especially with my irons. Maybe with my woods i get close, but its still a little short. You dont really need to bring the club all the way up there.

[wedge player]

I'm working on getting my brother to video me so I can post it, but I am well short of parallel. I have never worried how far back my swing goes because the power in the swing is created in the angle between the wrist and the shaft from 3/4 down to impact. IMHO the downswing from parallel to 3/4 down helps set the lag angle, but does not create that much more speed in the swing. My swing goes back as until it is ready to stop, then I fire to the ball.

im really short of parallel to i agree with him plus it gives you more control

[Danattherock]

More control short of parallel? Absolutely. I fought with my golf swing for years before I conceded. It was actually an injured rotator cuff that caused me to learn my 2/3 swing. In hindsight, it was the best thing that ever happened to my golf swing. With irons I point the clubhead straight up towards the sky, then I am on the downswing. Going past this point does give a bit more distance, but I make contact much more solidly (and consistently) using my 2/3 swing. To be honest, I might have lost 10 yards off my 7 iron with this abbreviated swing. Something I can deal with. I have a very compact swing now that I find easy to repeat. As I grow older, this 2/3 swing will be easier to maintain as well I am sure. Iron play is about accuracy. Nothing to brag about if you hit a 7 iron 175. Brag when you can hit it straight 90% of the time. For me, it was an abbreviated backswing that facilitated this. With a driver, I will go a bit past this vertical position, but not by much. I have more control from the tee box as a result.

[Spackler-esque]

On a good day I'm short of parallel. I don't notice much, if any, distance loss, but my accuracy is much improved. I get into trouble when my hands continue back after my shoulders stop and take the club to or past parallel. Nothing good can happen then unless I'm really, really lucky.

[shortstop20]

I hit my best shots when I am short of parallel, without sacrificing distance. When I go past parallel I hit the occasional hook and more often a slice.

[bodmanza]

Short of parallel with everything except occasionally the big stick

[uttexas]

I thought I had a short, compact swing until I got my full swing analyzed. I had no idea how much I was over swinging. Trying to get short of parallel. In order for me to do this, I have to think "50%"

[mruseless]

I agree with what everyone here has said. When I start to get wild shots, I know my swing has lengthened. Its really easy for me to swing too far back, especially on a hot day when my muscles are loose. I've got to keep thinking "80%, tick-tock" to keep my swing short and smooth.

In a good swing for me, my arms go past shoulder height by just a little. The farther past I go, the more I come back over the top. Swinging short helps me keep on a good swing path.

[ERC7.5]

I'd always gone past parallel up until last year. It was just natural and felt right but I was always being told that I tood it too far. Last year I started working on shortening it up and most of my best shots (with irons) are short of parallel...about 3/4 backswing. Driver, 3W and hybrids still go to parallel.

[beachbreak]

I really don't care in my case, as long as I don't over rotate my hips, when my shoulders can go no more I am done on the backswing.

Check out the long swings on the LPGA Korean ladies, they are plenty accurate too.

Phil, Daly, Jack, Rory long.
Maggert, Lyle and others short.

It's all good if I stay in balance and don't rush down.

[bogeyhitter25]

I'm right at about parallel with my driver. But well short with my irons.

[Comeback City]

Short of parallel...plus here's tiger: