How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

[SuperGolferMan]

Re: How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

My first question would be...how is your setup? If you are bending over too much or your chin is tucked to your chest too much...you will have the appearance of lifting up because your body angles naturally want to reach a certain position at top...if you don't give them room to do that...it will be a lift up. I would study the correct posture and make sure you are there. Is your chin up? Do you have a straight back from the back of your head to your tailbone? Is your weight on the balls of your feet (this can be very important for you) ?? Hope this helps!

[leftalone]

Re: How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

Break your wrists back sharply when starting backswing. Hold that wrist break until the last moment then release the wrists to strike the ball solidly. A lot of us break our wrists upward/away from the body and let them roll which opens the face creating a slice. Take a look at Nancy Lopez with the driver and watch her wrists at takeaway.

[jambalaya]

Re: How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

My first question would be...how is your setup? If you are bending over too much or your chin is tucked to your chest too much...you will have the appearance of lifting up because your body angles naturally want to reach a certain position at top...if you don't give them room to do that...it will be a lift up. I would study the correct posture and make sure you are there. Is your chin up? Do you have a straight back from the back of your head to your tailbone? Is your weight on the balls of your feet (this can be very important for you) ?? Hope this helps!

I think this is really good advice for everyone. Once I got a bit comfortable with my swing I mostly tweak my setup these days. Yes, it seems so boring to work on one's setup. Most of us I think just want to get up there and hit that ball. The great thing about set up is you can think all you want, something you don't want to do a lot of on the actual swing. So take some time to get comfortable and square over that ball and then let it go.

[leftalone]

Re: How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

Hey Jambalaya; I've always been taught to keep weight evenly distributed on both feet. But I do notice I tend to strike the ball better with the driver/woods if I'm a bit up on the balls of my feet as you suggest. It's good to finally find someone that thinks the same way I do. Play well!

[dnoonan]

Re: How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

PuttKing65:

I would do some body motion drills, including holding a club across your back, in your golf posture. If you are tilting your spine enough - as you turn your shoulders the club shaft (across your back) should point to the right of the ball on the target line. You can place an X with tape or use spray paint just off your right foot along the target line. You should be able to see right away if you are lifting. Another would be to cross your arms on your chest, assume the address position, and checkout your self in a mirror - place a piece of tape on the mirror right at the top of your head - you should see if you are staying in your posture or lifting.

Remember - if you go up 4 inches in the backswing - you have to come down 4 inches to make solid contact. That's the hard way. Much better to try to stay in your posture.

Hope that might help.

[Avid Golfer]

Re: How do you stop lifting up in the backswing ?

Hi

I bought a camcorder a few months ago and I've spent every spare moment filming my golf swing and trying to iron out my flaws.

My main problem is I lift up during the backswing. You can clearly see that my head level rises during the backswing. I don't maintain my posture. I try to swing flat and at home I can but when I'm on the course my swing goes upright again. I have tried everything to stop doing this without success.

Has anybody got any drills which might help me solve this problem ?

Thanks !

One thing I didn't see anyone recommend here is tucking something under your arm pits (a towel, glove(s) , headcover(s) and hit shots making half or three-quarter swings. It is a popular drill among the tour pros (Nick Faldo, Vjay Singh, Ernie Els, Nick Price, Charles Howell III, Peter Jacobsen and many countless others). It helps synchronize your arms and body in the swing and promotes a swing plane where your arms and shoulders will arrive at the top of the swing on the same levels.

Out on the course you could try tucking your shirt under your arm pits like you see pros like Peter Jacobsen and Scott McCarron do before they hit shots.