For example, if you’re right handed, you’ll be golfing with your left foot forward. Wind up your backswing by turning slightly to the right and curving your club back up behind you until the head is above your left shoulder.
You can think of winding up for a backswing as if your torso is a large spring that you’re coiling up in order to hit the ball. It’s okay if you wind up slowly. Compared with the fast, explosive downswing, the backswing can be relatively deliberate, even slow. [4] X Research source
This position is often referred to as an “L” pose because your forearms (parallel to the ground) and your golf club (perpendicular to the ground) form an “L” shape. If you wind up too far, you’ll end up over-swinging on the downswing.
This placement lets you transition out of the backswing and into the downswing by transferring your weight forward onto your front foot.
Starting your downswing this way is great for golfers with bad backs, as it allows you to channel more momentum from your hips and less from your back.
Narrowing your swing allows you to transfer momentum from your shoulders and torso into the club.
If you swing with your arms alone and don’t swing your torso and shoulders, your stroke will be weak and ineffective.
When your downswing is complete, your rear knee should be bent towards the ball at about a 20° angle. Keep your front leg straight throughout the downswing.
Using this technique on your downswing is especially useful for fairway shots, when you’re trying to hit the ball from the fairway onto the green. This step may seem counterintuitive but it will help you hit the ball with strength and precision.
To avoid over-swinging, visualize turning the knuckles of your front hand downwards towards the ground rather than pointing them upwards into the air.
Striking the ball with the club at an aggressive angle will allow you to transfer a tremendous amount of power to the ball from your shoulders, torso, and hips.
