GolfVotes
AllSliceShanksEarly extensionOver the topHookFat & thin shotsDriver & distanceIron compressionChippingPuttingCasting & lagWedges & pitchingHip rotationTakeaway & backswingAll problems →

Swing sequence

What does a good takeaway and backswing look like?

The first move sets everything up: club path, face, width and turn.

400 lessons ranked by 1,600 independent recommendations · 83 golfers said it fixed it. How we count

What causes it

The first move of the swing sets club path, face angle, width and turn. Errors such as an inside takeaway, an arms-only lift or a rolled-open face tend to need later compensations. A backswing that is too long or disconnected is also common among amateurs. Many golfers also confuse width with reach. A wide backswing comes from turning the body and keeping the arms in front of the chest, not from pushing the hands away from the body.

How golfers fix it

Jim Waldron's The Arm Swing Illusion is the clear favourite with 162 recommendations and 28 golfers saying it fixed something, explaining why the arms should not drive the backswing. RollYourRock's Faldo pre-set drill is recommended by 37 golfers for a good top position. Danny Maude's takeaway drill, recommended by 29, leads with the shoulders. Athletic Motion Golf's shoulder rotation and arm depth video has 25. Golfers focus on:

Common mistakes

Over-thinking a takeaway position often creates tension. Also avoid pulling the club inside on purpose, which leads to the over-the-top move. Check it on video from face-on and down-the-line.

Written with AI from the lessons and recommendations above. Not a substitute for a coach.