Frustrated with back swing

[deuce85]

I have been playing for about two years. I still hate my backswing. It feels so forced and unnatural. I am a bigger guy and I just feel like I am not flexible. It’s like I can’t stretch it out. I have trouble bringing my arms back and gathering power and momentum. Can anyone help me out with some tips.

[Justsomeguy]

I feel your pain. It's the worst part of my swing.

What I've found has helped to make it feel natural is to feel the shoulder turn back, and then the weight shift to my lead side. Has nothing to do w the backswing itself, but if those two things are happening, it doesn't feel forced.

My takeaway has improved things as well. I take the club back on a straight line away from the ball with the face pointing at the ball as long as I can. If I can do this without swaying, it feels better.

Good luck man. Lmk if u find a natural feel.

[wagolfer7]

@deuce85 highly suggest working on your posture. And doing it with a swing coach, whether online or in person.
I know it's not a cool sounding tip. But can't move correctly if you aren't in the right setup to allow it.
Although it sounds simple. To truly have a good setup and posture position, you need to practice and work on it. A good coach can teach you all the little tricks to make it easier to do this consistently.

[ferrispgm]

OP,

The best way to get some freedom of movement in the back-swing is proper hip rotation going back. The rear hip moves diagonally up/back and then works toward the target slightly while the left hip moves diagonally down/back and opposite the target or towards the golf ball. Allow your hips to rotate freely and if the lead heel needs to come up to get them around 45* so be it. In addition, the rear knee should straighten a bit too.

I spent the first 8 years playing trying to maintain rear knee flex and restricting hips and felt the same way you do. Allowing for freedom of movement makes the back-swing much easier and saved me a ton of SI Joint pain. You will feel some stretch in the shoulders but not a ton. Think for a second...in what sport do you create resistance for speed? None. Resistance is a mechanism of slowing down a movement.

[glk]

do not work the lead hip toward the ball

[ferrispgm]

I only suggested it as a feel for the beginning of the backswing...the left hip moves back in the opposite direction during the transition of course.

[glk]

I understsand . I only reacted to the move it toward the ball - this is what the am in the AMG video (and we've seen lots of folks do in posted videos) does and causes the left hip to travel way too far to ever recover and get back in position. And this AMG vid was just posted and thought it applied to the topic. I'd add that a good hip turn is important but then even with one the upper body can screw things up - but if the hip turn is good at least you have a chance.