Starting the backswing

The takeaway is possibly the most important part of the swing to get right. In order to swing the club on the correct plane, it must be started on the correct plane.

Taking the club away too far inside the target line will result in an over-the-top move at the top of the swing in an effort to re-direct it on the downswing, resulting in pulls or pull-cuts. Taking the club away too far outside the target line will result in a big loop at the top of the swing in an effort to re-direct it on the downswing. Both of these improper takeaways will likely cause erratic ball flight, as the golfer is constantly guessing how much to re-direct their club at the top in order to get it on the correct plane on the way down. Wouldn't it be better to start out correctly so that we can maintain the proper shaft angle throughout the swing? I thought you might agree.

In the proper takeaway, the toe and the heel come back away from the ball at the same time for a few inches to a foot depending upon what club is in your hands (more loft = less distance away from the ball on the takeaway, less loft = more distance away from the ball on the takeaway).

The beginning of the back swing is similar to the chipping motion in that the wrists should stay locked until the club head is brought back past the back foot on the back swing (this is known as the 'one piece takeaway', a swing theory which I subscribe to to the point that the wrists should not be so locked that you lose all your feel, but they should be quite firm - think 'firm but supple'). Nothing else on the body should be moving except for the turning of the shoulders to bring the arms away from the ball until the club head is brought past the back foot. At this point the chest and hips should begin to rotate with the club.

Golfers are often surprised at how 'straight back' they can bring the club head away from the ball (with all clubs). It is the simplest and most practical way to do it, but a lot of 'over thinking' can take place at this part of the swing and the golfer may yank the club head back quickly as they are in too much of a hurry to hit the ball. I like to think 'slow and low' on the takeaway, more so with the less lofted clubs than the less lofted (as less lofted clubs require the golfer to get the club head on a wider arc, thereby necessitating the club head to stay closer to the ground for longer). As the club head travels past the back foot it should begin to fan open to get into the correct 'toe up' position when the shaft is parallel to the ground.

Two of my USGTF teaching associates suggested to me their favorite drill for teaching the proper takeaway. They are both brilliant:

From Craig Wolfe, Director of Golf / Head Pro, Town & Country Golf Links. Woodstown, New Jersey. USGTF Level IV / Examiner:

"Have your student set up as if he has a club in his hand with his left hand (RH golfer) on the virtual grip. Then have student grab his left wrist with the right hand (with thumb on top). Now have the student "pull" his left arm back until the left arm is parallel to the ground. At this point, the right elbow should still be connected and the left arm should be on same line as foot line. Lastly, make sure that at this point, 75-80% of weight has shifted to the inside of the right foot. If those keys are in tact and student understands to monitor those keys while doing the drill - then the student can begin to re-construct their swing without worrying about results until new swing is ingrained. May take 10-14 days of doing this drill before new take-away becomes more comfortable BUT...it will definitely promote an on plane (straight back - straight through) swing. Student will feel like they are not swinging enough or working enough in the swing - but will get over that with the VERY positive results! What we call (Straight back - Straight through) eliminates the big misses from left to right and insures better ball contact."

This drill reinforces every proper motion that should be made on the takeaway. I tried it a few times and instantly thought it was one of the best drills I'd ever come across. The fact that the student can practice it anytime at their own leisure without a club is fantastic, and I think the more this motion is repeated the more the golfer's muscle memory is trained to make the right moves.

Here is another one, which is even more simple (but you need a club and ball for this one):

From Pat Phillips, Level III USGTF Pro. Golf Teaching Academy, Tonawanda, N.Y.:

"Put a ball 3" behind [the student's] club at address and ask them to take the club back and roll the ball straight back. This drill stops them from taking the club too inside on the back swing. [Have them] do this drill everyday until the next lesson."

Incredibly simple and effective, which is how the best golf instruction should be.