varying backswing lengths for different clubs

[uttexas]

After 20 years of self taught golf, I started getting lessons nine months ago. My pro has had me hit shots with a seven iron while being videotaped/computer analyzed. One of the first things he mentioned was that my backswing was too long (overswinging).

Over the past nine months, I have been consciously limiting my backswing (thinking 50% is my mental thought). This has worked great for five iron on up. However, I hit the ball much better with a more full backswing for my 4H, 3H, 2H, and driver.

Prior to lessons, I would "full backswing" for all clubs. I suppose that I do hit the shorter irons better thinking "50%".

Is this normal/or correct to have a longer backswing for driver->4iron/4H and a shorter backswing for 5iron on up?

Thanks

[DavidFehertysBike]

Nah, i dont think its that out of the ordinary. I tend to only take a 3/4 backswing myself with short and mid irons. I like a little longer swing with the longer clubs to build a little momentum.

[Ty Haegs]

awhile back I adopted the "Don Trahan" swing. One thing Don stresses is that the club does not have to be parallel in your backswing... instead go three-quarters (75%). With this swing there is no "cupping" of the risk either vs. the parallel one. It has worked great for me knocking off about 5 strokes from my handicap. And apparently Don has studied the physics of the swing and there is no velocity gained from a full swing.

[Ringer]

I am going to disagree with your pro. (Surprise surprise)

Although I to believe there is an "ideal" length of backswing, 99% of the time the length of your backswing is not the issue. Instead it is likely to be something like loosing your spine tilt. If your upper body is angled back away from the target at the top of your backswing.

It's a common mistake made by a LOT of professionals. They want to limit your motion instead of teaching you proper direction.

So my advice would be focus on keeping your balance on the INSIDE of your back foot. Do not let it get on the outside of your foot. Proper balance combined with maintaining tilt away from the target will make it nearly impossible to turn too much.

I want you to look at Tiger for just a moment at the top of his backswing.


Look at how far he is rotated. His shoulders are turned an incredible amount as compared to the rest of his body. Does that mean he's "over swung"? Nope, not at all.

The important thing is that he is stll BACK, leaning away from the target with his upper body while his lower body is still somewhat forward. That is what gives him spine tilt and as long as you have spine tilt, you cannot turn too far.

[parker19822]

I don't disagree with Ringer here, but I also feel many golfers stop their shoulder turns half-way into their backswings, and then let the arms keep moving back and around their body. They lose their connection with the torso, which diminishes power and makes it very difficult to time the downswing and make the best contact possible.

The reason I think many instructors advise their students to take shorter backswings is because it forces the students to focus more on hitting the ball with their pivot (the entire body), and not just their upper body. When you lose connection in the backswing, you lose that feeling of effortless power, and then try to make up for it by swinging harder with the arms.

What ringer said about the right foot (for right handed players) is also crucial. The weight should always be directed to the inside of the right foot on the backswing. It's what many call "turning into the right leg." This creates a lot more torque and stores much more energy in the backswing, as well as makes it more difficult for higher handicap players to over-swing (especially if they try to maintain their initial knee flex).

All and all, good players with good body sequencing will lose some power from shortening their swings (like Tiger in the picture Ringer posted), but many of us can do with taking a little shorter backswing. Most amateurs are just going to lose balance, timing and clubhead speed by trying to take the club back as far as they can.

[uttexas]

thanks for the replies. Really good info.

[TN94z]

I don't disagree with Ringer here, but I also feel many golfers stop their shoulder turns half-way into their backswings, and then let the arms keep moving back and around their body. They lose their connection with the torso, which diminishes power and makes it very difficult to time the downswing and make the best contact possible.

I agree with this. Also, flexibility plays alot in the length of the backswing. Your full swing and Tiger's full swing are totally different feelings because he is flexible enough to pull it off. Most amateurs that don't have that kind of flexibility and try to get a full swing like Tiger are the ones that really get thrown off by this. They aren't flexible enough to get that good of a shoulder turn, so they let their arms continue as mentioned above and that can set many bad things into motion. I am another one that only swings about 3/4. A 3/4 swing with the right impact position will be longer and more consistent than a parallel swing with a bad impact position

[parker19822]

A 3/4 swing with the right impact position will be longer and more consistent than a parallel swing with a bad impact position

I could not agree with this more. I'm flexible enough to turn my shoulders past parallel, but I find I hit the ball way more solidly, which in turns give me more distance and a better ball flight, when I take the club make to 3/4.

[WUTiger]

Proper length of backswing is influenced by flexibility, body characteristics, raw athleticism and swing type.

I have gone to a 3/4 swing (variation on basic Hogan) the past two years.
I have started concentrating on proper coil, rotation of shoulders around the spinal column. What I've found: If I go much above my ear on the backswing, I lose my balance, and will likely loop/hit from the top. You know the rest!

That's where athleticism figures in. I'm in OK shape for someone my age, but I come in about the 45th percentile (a tad below average) in athleticism and natural balance. Thus, the shorter swing is something I can manage, and I get much better follow-through and power with it.

Back in 2004, the golf mags were talking about the benefits of the martial arts for golf cross-training. The martial arts emphasize flexibility, quickly released power (acceleration going forward after smooth coiling for punch), and balance. Anybody seen anything recently on the martial-arts/ gold link?

[Ty Haegs]

also the more you turn your shoulders the more likely it is for your head will move

[Travtex]

Back in 2004, the golf mags were talking about the benefits of the martial arts for golf cross-training. The martial arts emphasize flexibility, quickly released power (acceleration going forward after smooth coiling for punch), and balance. Anybody seen anything recently on the martial-arts/ gold link?

I have about 25 years of martial arts experience... However, I've only recently picked up golf and don't really know what I'm doing so I'm not sure how much it helps/will help.

Definitely have better body proprioception/balance/coordination for it, which certainly can't be a bad thing.