TIP OF THE WEEK
Lift vs. turn
September 1, 2006
"The natural tendency for golfers is to start the backswing by lifting the club with their hands and arms, rather than with their bigger muscles; the shoulders, hips, and legs.
By incorrectly starting the swing with your hands and arms, you have created a letter V-shaped width to your backswing, a shape you would use for a bunker shot. This incorrect, up, down, and up swing has much less power than the correct wide and powerful U- shaped swing.
When you begin the backswing, feel a marriage of motion with the whole body connected together as you turn away from the ball. This will create a wide width to the start of the backswing, which in turn is very powerful.
You also will find that when you start the swing with your bigger muscles, it's more natural for you to swing the club away slower, versus starting it with your hands.
Practice the start of your backswing with half swings. By practicing this half swing you will be much more aware if you have correctly started your swing with your shoulder turn versus lifting the club up with your hands. Be a turner, not a lifter!"
--Don Beatty, PGA head professional, Garden City Country Club
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