The golf swing is a chain reaction of moves initiated by the takeaway. Most golfers know that the takeaway is important but are not aware that making a good one-piece takeaway is dictated by the amount of tension in the hands and arms.
If the left or right arm tenses in readiness to swing the club away, muscles in the neck also become tense, making it much more difficult to turn the shoulders. Without a good shoulder turn hand action will creep into the early part of the swing, which will have an impact on swing width, plane and consequently club head speed and accuracy at impact. To make a perfect backswing tension in the hands and arms in the address position must be avoided at all costs.
Technique to Avoid Arm Tension for Perfect Backswing Takeaway
The hands must grip the club tight enough so they can comfortably waggle the club back and forth, but not so hard that muscles in the forearms tense up. Experiment with different pressures from light to the tightest possible. As pressure is increased notice how the muscles in the arms and then the neck become tense. This excess tension must be avoided for a good takeaway and shoulder turn.
Drills to Relax Arms and Shoulders for Backswing Plane
It is imperative that the arms hang naturally from the shoulders. This is where a gripping the club well is important as a strong or weak grip (in terms of how many knuckles shown) makes the forearms twist unnaturally which creates tension. Try this drill to see if the arms are hanging correctly.
- Take up your address position but instead of holding the club allow it to rest on your thigh.
- Let your arms hang freely from your shoulders in a natural relaxed position.
- With as little movement as possible pick up the club and grip it.
- Try to keep tension out of the arms. Check to see if the neck muscles remain in the same relaxed state with or without a club.
Stay Relaxed as the Takeaway Starts for a Perfect Golf Swing
- With the hands and arms in a relaxed state, and consequently the neck muscles, the shoulders will be in a position to help initiate a pure one-piece takeaway, which is the most important part of a good swing.
- However, all the good work undertaken so far will be wrecked if the neck muscles become tense while the takeaway is being made. It in no good creating a relaxed stance then allowing tension to creep in as the swing starts
- Without tension in the neck muscles the shoulders will turn round the spine and the natural momentum created will allow the club to swing through the perfect half way back position to the top of the backswing.
- Ready and set correctly at the top a golfer can pour all power into the downswing confident that club head speed will be applied squarely into the back of the ball at impact.
Most amateur golfers marvel at the seemingly effortless power created by the pros. Keep tension out of the takeaway and a golfer will give themselves the best chance of experiencing the same free easy swing.
See Also: How to Release the Club into Perfect Backswing Plane or Stop Head up and Lifting Head Golf Swing
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'.
