Power Backswing Golf Tip

By P. David Baucom, PGA

If you have ever sliced or pulled a golf shot, this golf tip is for you. Most pulled or sliced shots are due to an incorrect backswing. This tip is designed to get your body used to a proper backswing, which will give you more accuracy and distance on the course.

The turn of your back swing is best practiced in front of a full-length mirror without a club. Okay, if you are in front of a mirror, stand tall with your best posture. From there you will want to find your best golf posture. Place your feet together and jump into the air landing with your feet spread apart. You will land in a flexed athletic balanced position. Do not tilt over as you would if you were hitting a golf ball.

I call this position “live tension”. Your knees should be flexed and you should feel like you are in a similar position to that of playing tennis at the net and are ready to move to either side. Place your right hand on your left shoulder and your left hand on your right shoulder. At this point you should look much like you are hugging yourself after winning the US Open. This is the best position to practice the perfect power turn.

Turn your left shoulder/right hand over the instep on your right foot. (Your instep is the middle section of your foot that forms the arch between the ankle and toes) Make sure you are retaining the flex of your right knee, as this is where the power is created. A common mistake with the turn of the back swing is to tilt instead of turn. If you are turning properly you should be able to feel the stretching of your back and the load on the inner thigh of your right leg.

Make 20 controlled turns in a row while watching your turning motion in the mirror. Keep your eyes level, do not drop your head down. Hold the turn for 2 seconds before returning to your starting position. Pay attention to what the stretch and load feel like. The final check for each of the turns is to make sure that your right knee retains that flex.

Your goal is to do 20 turns a day. When you get to the driving range after you have practiced this turn, do not try to replicate the turn. Just rip it long and straight. The muscle memory from your practice work will be there and you will feel good.