Too long of a backswing?

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By Deitrich E

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  • 30 Replies
  1. Deitrich E

    Deitrich E

    Hello! Just trying to get some feedback. I am wondering if having too long of a backswing is bad? I watch my swing after filming it and I cringe how far I take the club back. Just wondering about any tips to maybe shorten it or “feel” like I’m shortening it. Thanks!

  2. JYoung

    JYoung
    Ohio

    I wondered the same thing because I go past parallel on my back swing. So I starting taking lessons in December and my teacher wasn't quite as concerned about it as I was. Found out I have more flaws than just that. Haha. A few pro's have a long backswing and make it work. As long as you're in the right place at impact, how you get there sometimes isn't as important. Once I get a few more lessons in he may address the backswing more. Then I may have an answer for you.
  3. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    I would go see a PGA instructor. I have the opposite issue. My teacher is out sick and cannot wait for him to get back. Am so quick and do not take it back far enough. Have not idea where my irons are going to go right now. Absolutely no "tempo".
    =(
  4. Dino S

    Dino S
    Dayton, OH

    Military
    Hey Dietrich - first thing I would say is don't get to hung up on the "look" of the backswing. Personally when I have a 3/4 back swing I am able to generate more speed at impact producing more distance but most importantly my impact consistency skyrocketed resulting in lower scores. I'd say try a slow 3/4 swing takeaway and see how that feels.
  5. Alistair M

    Alistair M

    Dino S said:

    Hey Dietrich - first thing I would say is don't get to hung up on the "look" of the backswing. Personally when I have a 3/4 back swing I am able to generate more speed at impact producing more distance but most importantly my impact consistency skyrocketed resulting in lower scores. I'd say try a slow 3/4 swing takeaway and see how that feels.

    I agree here. Golf is not a fashion show. Find what works for you, work with a PGA coach and enjoy a good rhythm. You will work it out to build your own unique and productive swing.
  6. MRoseski

    MRoseski
    Palm Harbor, FL

    I had the same issue a while back. I focused more on a proper turn with my torso and keeping my hands away from my body to help create width in my swing. Once that was complete, I moved to thinking about an 80% backswing.

    It's helped me focus more on a better ball strike at impact and I actually hit it farther than when I was trying to have a long backswing. More consistent as well.

    I'm sure there are videos that show drills to help with this, but I always recommend seeing your local Pro to have a look.
  7. Arne D

    Arne D

    Very interesting
    Thanks for sharing with us
  8. RJUnleashed

    RJUnleashed
    Rhode Island

    MRoseski- Doing the same. Swinging on line is more important than how long it is. I love the newer swing ideas around width and some lateral movement. I absolutely love Titleist advocate Micheal breed on you tube. Articulate, informative, not a gimmick salesman, and funny as hell!
  9. Lou G

    Lou G
    San Diego, CA

    RJUnleashed said:

    MRoseski- Doing the same. Swinging on line is more important than how long it is. I love the newer swing ideas around width and some lateral movement. I absolutely love Titleist advocate Micheal breed on you tube. Articulate, informative, not a gimmick salesman, and funny as hell!

    Michael Breed is a great guy. So is Paul Wilson (formerly with Jim McClean of Revolution Golf) and Don Trahan Sr. Michael Breed teaches a “rotational” golf swing. Paul teaches a compact backswing. Don Trahan teaches more of a vertical golf swing with minimal weight shift on the backswing.

    Moe Norman was the extreme on a single plane swing. And his backswing was very short.

    I’m 6’1” and I have a pretty upright swing (clubs are 1.5* upright).
  10. Derek S

    Derek S

    I would honestly agree with others that reaching out to a PGA professional is the best thing you can do. I was in a similar frame of mind when I had playing partners comment that I too was going a bit too far back but after a lesson I was told I was very much in range.

  11. Barry M

    Barry M
    Reno, NV

    Try to find a good instructor for advice. A lot of people confuse how much the club turns back with how much shoulder turn they get. That's why you see a lot of pros where it looks like they have a short backswing but hit just as far as others with a bigger backswing. Check out the shoulder turn.
  12. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    You have seen Daly’s backswing?

    Only an issue if you are trying to rotate further than your flexibility allows. Let a professional make recommendations.
  13. BRobles

    BRobles

    I just had my first golf lesson ever and the instructor told me to stop my back swing where the club head is above my head not way past my left shoulder and I am having the hardest time keeping the club from going back so far. I was able to add hip rotation and I’m working on keeping hands in front of the ball through impact but I cannot stop my club backswing
  14. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    Everyone that has a long bs wants a shorter one, everyone with a shorter bs wants a longer one. Same as high hitters want it lower and low hitters want it higher. Best advice is if you really want to get better is to get a lesson from someone who knows what they are talking about!
  15. JHanzlik

    JHanzlik

    Deitrich E said:

    Hello! Just trying to get some feedback. I am wondering if having too long of a backswing is bad? I watch my swing after filming it and I cringe how far I take the club back. Just wondering about any tips to maybe shorten it or “feel” like I’m shortening it. Thanks!

    I’ve had this same issue and have struggled through hours at the range trying to figure it out. Then I watched the below video and thought maybe I’d focus on keeping the trail arm at 90 degrees at the top of my backswing. I’d never focused on my trail arm (right arm) before. That and focusing on wrist flexion instead of cupping has helped me a lot. Good luck!
  16. JHanzlik

    JHanzlik

    Deitrich E said:

    Hello! Just trying to get some feedback. I am wondering if having too long of a backswing is bad? I watch my swing after filming it and I cringe how far I take the club back. Just wondering about any tips to maybe shorten it or “feel” like I’m shortening it. Thanks!

    youtu.be/iP0sBzIXRtc
  17. ZFoxx

    ZFoxx

    I can tell you that when things start going wrong for me, it almost always stems from going too far back in the backswing. I will start "feeling" like I'm only taking it back as far as Rahm or Finau, when in reality it's much further - but everything starts to come back once I get that feel. The more you go back, the more off-plane you can get and things start to go wrong. But like others have said, definitely see a coach/instructor/teacher!
  18. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    "If it aint' broke, don't fix it" If you're happy with the ball flight and dispersion, then leave it alone. Otherwise see your local PGA Professional.
  19. Rob R

    Rob R
    Chicago, IL

    I agree with the other answers.

    1) if it works for you don't change it
    2) if a change is needed do not do it yourself
    3) A good instructor can get you on the right track

    Good luck and have fun.
  20. Kevin W

    Kevin W
    Mendenhall, MS

    One thing I did this past summer was make sure that I kept my backswing a little shorter than usual. For me it helped me make better contact, and after learning to hit a draw I also added a good bit of distance.
  21. Edward K

    Edward K
    Wesley Chapel, FL

    Military
    I cut my backswing in half a few years ago, defies logic, I'm a club longer. Go figure!
  22. Fred Closs

    Fred Closs
    Denton, TX

    So long as you achieve a full shoulder turn, don't change anything. Many of us (me included), let our arms continue past the point they should, leading to a lot of errors. I've found if after taking my stance, setting the club on top of my right shoulder area, then turn the shoulders fully and then, extending the arms leads to a proper length of backswing. Hopefully, that made sense.
  23. Palmer

    Palmer
    Massachusetts

    Definitely see a PGA instructor. But it also depends on why your backswing is too long. If you have great flexibility, it's one thing. It's quite another if your wrist is breaking down. That's an issue I have from time to time.
  24. Paul T

    Paul T
    alpharetta, GA

    When you practice, take only half shots...do not take a full swing. (even though I said that - I guarantee you will still ramp up to a full swing)
    Even choke down halfway down your grip.
    Go halfway back slow, stop, go. Focus on smooth application of power - control. Focus on feeling grounded.

    Do that for a few range sessions - I'll bet you will hit the ball more consistent and further than pounding out full swings.
  25. Cris M

    Cris M
    Tyrone, GA

    I think everyone has to find the swing that works for them. Jon Rahm and Jake Knapp have very different swings but they both have something that is repeatable and provides consistent results. And I would bet that if you had them side by side, from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock on the downswing, they probably look nearly identical. Jon's short compact swing just doesn't leave a lot of room for things to breakdown and require him to make unnecessary movements to get back on plane. I think the general consensus is that a long swing can be difficult to keep the arms and body in sync. Swings are like finger prints; just need to find the one that works best for you.

  26. Matthew M

    Matthew M

    Agree
  27. Frans K

    Frans K

    This happens to me often, if i start going back to far i ask someone to stand next to me shoulder to shoulder and if i leave their shoulder i’m going to far so i do a few swings to try and get back in line.
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