Do shoulders start backswing?
James Craig
Published Jan 24, 2026
The shoulders begin the backswing by turning away from the ball until the hands are at waist high. This movement is called a “one-piece takeaway” and, because the shoulders move so early in the backswing, the arms are able to remain straight without tensing up until the hands reach that waist-high position.
What initiates the backswing?
HOW TO START BACK. The motion you want off the ball is a pushing back movement by the left hand (pictured above). This creates a basically straight start to the swing and wide extension. It also gets the left shoulder turning back so the upper body starts to coil against a stable lower body.
Do the shoulders lead the golf swing?
The left shoulder resists while the right shoulder continues to move. Many amateurs turn the shoulders together in the backswing and downswing, leading to swing-path issues that cause them to hit slices and pulls.
What triggers the backswing in golf?
A great example of a swing trigger is the right knee “kick-in” as used by Gary Player. Before Player swings the club back he kicks the right knee in and this move forms a brace for the backswing and creates enough flow and movement to trigger the backswing.
How do I start my takeaway golf swing?
How do you start a takeaway in the golf swing? You start the takeaway in the golf swing by sweeping the club head back along your target line, slowly lifting it until the shaft is parallel to the ground. The takeaway begins with straight but relaxed arms, ending at the point where they feel like they need to bend.
30 related questions foundHow do you start the left knee with downswing?
HOW TO DO IT: Pausing your arms and hands at the top, begin the downswing by releasing your left knee toward the target (above). The arms fall onto an inside path. After the knee moves, let your left leg straighten. If the knee moves outside the left foot, you've overdone it.
Does right shoulder drop golf swing?
Weekend golfers frequently fight a slice because their right shoulder moves out over the ball on their downswing. If you struggle to keep your right shoulder from moving out over the ball -- a common error for players who swing "over the top" -- a few simple steps can help you alleviate the problem.
What should your shoulders do in the golf swing?
Remember your shoulders return to square to the ball/target line at impact, not open or closed. A good feel and visual is to take your golf stance and hold a club behind your shoulders and turn back and through.
How far should shoulders turn in backswing?
In golf, you should turn your shoulders 90 degrees from your address position in order to complete your backswing. If done correctly, the tip of your left shoulder should be pointed at the golf ball at the top of your backswing. This would indicate a 'full shoulder turn'.
Do arms start the backswing?
To make a proper backswing, start by lifting your arms. Even more specific, use them to elevate the club's center of mass (signified by the red ball on my club) about 25 to 30 degrees as I've done here before even thinking of pitching the club upward with your wrists.
What body part should start the golf swing?
The golf swing starts from the ground up. Even as the upper body and arms are still going back, the lower body is starting the downswing. Putting pressure into the lead foot early in the transition is a big key to setting up the rest of the downswing.
How do I stop my shoulders from rotating in golf?
3) Shoulder drill This shoulder drill is a great aid in how to stabilize your body rotation. Place a club across the top of your shoulders, with the clubhead over your left shoulder. Get in the address position, then turn so the clubhead goes down towards the ground, almost towards the inside of your trailing foot.
Where should shoulders be impacted?
For a golfer whose left arm is deeper and more across the chest and right arm stays bent longer, the shoulders should be more open at impact. This will help the golfer's swing move in the direction of the target. For this golfer, the arms are moving slower, or closer to the same speed as the right shoulder.
Why is one shoulder lower than the other?
Uneven shoulders can also happen when you have structural issues or muscular skeletal imbalances in the body. This may include legs that vary in length or scoliosis. Uneven shoulders can also be the result of an imbalance somewhere else in the body. Think of it as a domino effect.
What hand controls the golf swing?
Third, Hall said golfers must have their lead arm and hand in control of their swing. That's the left arm for right-handed golfers and the right arm for lefties. By leading, you avoid hitting at the ball.
What does the left knee do in the backswing?
They use it as an anchor to wind against as they load into their trail side. Even for amateur golfers of limited physical ability, consistency and power immediately improve when that knee is relatively still during the backswing.
Do the arms start the downswing?
Arm Slot. Teaching professional Shawn Clement agrees that the player's arms should drop to begin the downswing, but he says they must drop into the right position. Clement advises players to focus on dropping their arms in front of the body, while keeping their hands on the proper swing plane.
What part of the body starts the downswing?
The transition from backswing to downswing is crucial to generating power and accuracy. The key is to start the downswing with the lower body. In the best swings the lower body starts forward while the upper body is still turning back. The left hip turns toward the target as the shoulders continue to coil.
What is the correct takeaway in golf?
The takeaway is the portion of the backswing from setup to the point where the club is parallel to the ground. If the clubhead becomes misaligned during the takeaway, your shot will go in the wrong direction—no matter how well the rest of the swing is executed.
Do you pull down on the golf swing?
Pull Down. As your arms and hands start into the downswing, it is important to imagine pulling the butt of the club straight down toward the ground. This keeps your hands ahead of the clubhead – often referred to as "lag" – and keeps the power you've built up on the right side of the ball.
Should you roll your wrists golf swing?
Roll the Wrist
During the swing, the left wrist rolls over as the golfer transfers from the takeaway to contact and then the follow-through. If the wrist rolls too forcefully, the shot likely will hook to the left. If the wrist does not roll enough, the shot likely will slice to the right.
Do arms or shoulders start backswing?
The shoulders begin the backswing by turning away from the ball until the hands are at waist high. This movement is called a “one-piece takeaway” and, because the shoulders move so early in the backswing, the arms are able to remain straight without tensing up until the hands reach that waist-high position.