Can't stop my flat backswing!

[jlatrace]

I have been working on fixing my flat backswing but I can't seem to get my hands up in the spot I want. I had a flat shoulder plane, but I think I fixed it. I feel like I need to lift my arms but I am always hearing that

[jmkenn0]

Why? What's your miss tendency?

[Fireballer]

> @jlatrace said:

> I have been working on fixing my flat backswing but I can't seem to get my hands up in the spot I want. I had a flat shoulder plane, but I think I fixed it. I feel like I need to lift my arms but I am always hearing that

 

[jlatrace]

@Fireballer

Is he not raising his arms in his shoulder turn?

[Krt22]

He's arms get in the right place due to his shoulder turn and how he set his wrists initially. If you *think* your shoulders are OK, very possible your wrists aren't setting correctly.

[KMeloney]

> @jmkenn0 said:

> Why? What's your miss tendency?

 

Exactly. Seems to work ok for Kuchar, Fowler, and others.

 

OP -- You could consider having more forward bend, using a "push-away" of your arms a la the ASI, setting the wrists earlier, and more. Your best bet is to post a vid of your swing so that the instructors can help (or maybe tell you to stop chasing a different position).

[Krt22]

Kuchar and Fowler are also top tier pros with more money, time, and most importantly talent than 99.9% of all other golfers.

[KMeloney]

> @Krt22 said:

> Kuchar and Fowler are also top tier pros with more money, time, and most importantly talent than 99.9% of all other golfers.

 

(Yes, of course. Agree completely. Just noting that they strike the ball pretty well with a "low" BS -- and maybe the OPs backswing position isn't the real issue.)

[BottleCap]

That Monte video is spot on for me

[LyinEye]

A back swing is never too flat if the hands are under the shaft.

[Krt22]

That is like saying you can never be too steep as long as you hit the ball

[Lefty431]

> @BottleCap said:

> That Monte video is spot on for me

 

That's the exact drill, my teaching pro taught me. I had a flat back swing then I'd lift my hands creating an over the top move! Not only does this drill help with shoulder turn, but also shows how the wrists are supposed to hinge in the swing. Great drill!

 

 

[LyinEye]

> @Krt22 said:

> That is like saying you can never be too steep as long as you hit the ball

 

Insights from a 9 major winner to another 9 major winner seems like pretty solid ground to stand upon for starters.

https://www.golfchannel.com/video/gary-player-how-crush-drives-pro-golfer

[Krt22]

> @"Ping's Duck" said:

> > @Krt22 said:

> > That is like saying you can never be too steep as long as you hit the ball

>

> Insights from a 9 major winner to another 9 major winner seems like pretty solid ground to stand upon for starters.

> https://www.golfchannel.com/video/gary-player-how-crush-drives-pro-golfer

 

yeah I am sure that tip is going to help all the OTT slicers who come over it from getting too flat in the back swing. As their ball sails right into the junk they can say "If it works for a 9 time major champion, it can work for me!"

[LyinEye]

> @Krt22 said:

> > @"Ping's Duck" said:

> > > @Krt22 said:

> > > That is like saying you can never be too steep as long as you hit the ball

> >

> > Insights from a 9 major winner to another 9 major winner seems like pretty solid ground to stand upon for starters.

> > https://www.golfchannel.com/video/gary-player-how-crush-drives-pro-golfer

>

> yeah I am sure that tip is going to help all the OTT slicers who come over it from getting too flat in the back swing. As their ball sails right into the junk they can say "If it works for a 9 time major champion, it can work for me!"

 

You should apply for David Marr's position with the Golf Channel. Next time Gary is in town I'm confident, after he stops chuckling at your premise, will set you straight on the proper sequencing from flat and under.

[Krt22]

Fat chance, I don't look for swing tips on the Golf Channel. Comparing Gary Player to your average flat back swing mid to high cap golfer is an absolutely fruitless way to spur legitimate improvement.

[LyinEye]

Again, I'm confident a vast majority of handicap players would listen to Gary first, and keyboard warriors last, for actual improvement.

[Albatross85]

Turn your left upper arm counter-clock wise so your elbow is facing your left hip and not facing the target when gripping the club. You would be amazed at how much this influences your backswing and so many people do it incorrectly. The more your elbow faces the target, the flatter your backswing will be.

You can still rotate your left upper arm and the lower arm in opposite directions when gripping the club. They can move somewhat independently. Hope that's clear as mud...

[Krt22]

> @"Ping's Duck" said:

> Again, I'm confident a vast majority of handicap players would listen to Gary first, and keyboard warriors last, for actual improvement.

 

Ahh yes, had to go to petty insults instead of discussing the matter at hand. The reality is many amateurs do in fact suffer from an overly flat backswing, lack the talent/skill to overcome it, and thus will not benefit from Gary Player's sound bite. Most folks would be much better if they stopped trying to mimic what a select few pros do (or say) and instead tried to mimic what a vast majority of pros/elite ams do.

 

Obviously it isnt working well for the OP if he's posting that it is in fact problematic. Golf is hard enough as is, why make it harder getting into a position that you immediately need to compensate for?

[Fireballer]

> @jlatrace said:

> @Fireballer

> Is he not raising his arms in his shoulder turn?

 

Yes there is arm lift. But done in the right manner. Too me, arm "lift" is created by the trail elbow bending. Take an address position and bend your trail elbow until it is a 90* angle but keep your lead elbow straight. You will see your hands and arms move to the the right and you will be in a chopping position and your lead arm will have "lifted" and is parallel with the ground. Thats it. Thats pretty much your arm lift. Hold your arms like that and turn. By virtue of being bent at the waist, it will appear your arms have "lifted" more than they actually have.

[rkodavey]

> @Albatross85 said:

> Turn your left upper arm counter-clock wise so your elbow is facing your left hip and not facing the target when gripping the club. You would be amazed at how much this influences your backswing and so many people do it incorrectly. The more your elbow faces the target, the flatter your backswing will be.

> You can still rotate your left upper arm and the lower arm in opposite directions when gripping the club. They can move somewhat independently. Hope that's clear as mud...

 

Eric Cogorno just put out a video where he stated this exact concept. I had never thought of it, but I do know I have a flat backswing, and my left elbow tends to point more towards the target line at setup rather than at my left hip. Would make sense that there is a correlation there.

[gators78]

Get the right angle 2 training aid, as long as that right arm isn't too overly bent the angle isn't as big of a deal.