To hit the ball consistently well a golfer must swing the club in plane on the backswing and downswing. The key to swinging in plane on the backswing is to encourage the hands to release the club naturally using centrifugal force. Follow these tips on how to firm up the right side during takeaway to release the club onto the perfect backswing plane and position for maximum club head speed at the ball.
How to Release the Club into Plane on the Backswing
- To build a swing that repeats under pressure the club must be in plane on the backswing and downswing.
- Hand action and arm rotation, called release, is responsible for swinging into plane accurately.
- This release happens naturally if the lower body and legs resist on the downswing and backswing invoking centrifugal force.
- Most golfers know that if they brace the left leg on the downswing the hands release past the body.
- To swing into plane on the backswing a similar move must be made.
- If the right leg is stable and resists during the takeaway the hands have to release the golf club into plane.
- If the right leg crumbles there is nothing to invoke centrifugal force and the hands do not release the club onto plane correctly.
Brace the Right Side on Takeaway for Backswing Plane
The correct right leg position in the stance helps create resistance and therefore centrifugal force. When a golfer sets up to the ball it is vital to set the right leg so it can resist the turning of the upper body as the shoulders swing the club away from the ball in the takeaway. Some top professionals like to feel the right knee is kicked in towards the hole slightly, which immediately offers resistance.
It is crucial during the takeaway that the right leg resists, particularly as the club nears hip height. At no time must a golfer allow body weight to move onto the outside of the right foot. Building a firm base to offer resistance will let the hands naturally release and swing the club into the correct backswing plane.
Plant the Left Leg to Release at Impact
If the club is in plane on the backswing there will be no need for a golfer to have to make complicated adjustments to the downswing path and plane and all energy can be poured into creating club head speed at the ball. This is achieved by using the left leg and hip to start the downswing, which sets up a firm left side to hit against.
If a golfer keeps the head anchored to stabilise the top half of the body, and the left leg drives and then braces, just as a hitter in baseball, centrifugal force will create the most powerful release into the ball.
See Also: Left Arm Hand Release in Golf Swing or What does Over the Top Really Mean PGA Tips
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
