How to Keep Your Back to the Target for the Golf Swing

One of the key elements of a good golf swing is the successful shoulder turn. Without the shoulder turn, you basically pick the club straight up causing an over-the-top motion on the downswing. When you swing the club around your body correctly, your back will face the target at the top of the backswing. This ensures the correct sequence and rotational movements in the golf swing.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf ball
  • Golf clubs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Swing the club to the top of the backswing correctly. The arms and shoulders initiate the backswing. When the hands reach waist high, the clubface is square. When the hands continue past waist high, the wrists will hinge as the shoulder continues to turn. The hips will begin to rotate. At the top of the backswing, the wrist will be flat and the hands will be behind the shoulder. The majority of weight will be on the back leg. The proper sequence of the backswing will position the back to the target at the top of the backswing.

    • 2

      Allow a slight pause at the top of backswing. Many amateurs often get set at the top of the backswing correctly. The hands are set in a good position with the wrist flat at the top of the backswing. They complete a full shoulder turn and the back faces the target. However, poor tempo erases the good position at the top of the backswing. The arms and body are not working together and lead to many swing faults. A smooth tempo will lead to a successful impact position.

    • 3

      Swing the club around your body. This creates the proper rotational movements in the golf swing. When done properly, the back will face the target at the top of the backswing and start of the forward swing. The shoulders should be pointed toward the target at impact. If you pick the club straight up and fail to create a full shoulder turn, the back will not face the target at the top of the back swing. This creates an extremely steep swing that will often result in an out-to-in swing path and an open clubface at impact. The shoulders will be open at impact, which is an incorrect impact position.