The Golf Digest School : Making a complete backswing - Brief Article

Golf Digest, August, 2000 by Gale Peterson

Melissa Uruburu, a 25-year-old beginner from Red Creek, N.Y., could make contact but wasn't getting the ball airborne consistently. She needed to develop a feel for a good swing path.

1. Chop, chop

Melissa lifted the club straight up during her backswing, thus straightening her body-as if she were chopping wood. Her backswing was short and incomplete, and she needed more turn.

2. Hands on deck

To take the lift out, we wanted to keep her hands and club low on the takeaway. I had her slide her hands back on a board to give her a feel for the right move. This made her left shoulder turn down and back.

3. Arc de Triomphe

Now Melissa keeps her posture consistent and lets her right arm fold. She's getting the club over her right shoulder, and the face is less shut.

Golf Digest Schools instructor Gale Peterson teaches at the Golf Digest Learning Center at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Ga.