Let’s talk about the takeaway….
We’re older and everything I write here was easier a decade ago! But please read all the way and you’ll see what we’re aiming for! A pal of ours mentioned how important this topic is for “us” Grey Dogs.
As we age, one of the swing faults we experience is what I call “the fold”. That’s when, six to ten inches into the takeaway, we crank the wrists, bend the arms at the elbows and fold the club into the body. (Grab a club now and see!) We must avoid this, and it isn’t hard.
We also know if you can start each swing on the right path, ensuring your club is in a good position early on, there’s a much better opportunity that the rest of your backswing will follow that proper swing path – and that in turn will promote a good, on-plane downswing and a solid strike on the ball. There is also a better chance to avoid the over-the-top move that results in a steep swing path. Deadly. (“FORE RIGHT!”) Can you play this way? Sure, but when you do, you’re working way too hard to get back on the correct swing plane.
Here’s what we suggest: It’s not complicated at all, so please, don’t resist! Try it today! On the range, try taking the iron back almost comically low to the ground for a foot and a half. 18 inches. Don’t bend either wrists or elbows. From there, move on as usual. Don’t allow wrist- or elbow -bend to “fan” open the blade or close it down. Straight back nearly hugging the ground. Two things have happened. One, you’re closer to being able to naturally turn your upper body, thereby setting your backswing in a better place. Secondly, you’ve also now provided yourself with more width and have lengthened the swing. The goal is to let the rest of your swing work LESS hard (See our video about “swinging harder” which doesn’t add distance!) in order to make decent contact with the ball. Great if you want to become a more solid and consistent ball striker. (Who doesn’t?!)
There are two very useful checkpoints that you can use to make sure your swing begins on the best possible path. One, put a coin down on the ground eighteen inches directly behind ball and use that as a takeaway target. Two, put a tee in the ground about an inch high also eighteen inches directly behind the ball and practice your takeaway “clipping the tee”. With both, we want the toe of the club over the coin or the tee.
Remember that our goal here on this site is always to help you play “smarter, better, for longer”. We aren’t swing teachers, and articles like this one are carefully vetted by our Advisory Board and a cadre of PGA Professionals with whom we dialog regularly. This one has helped us, and we think it will help you.
Let’s learn to love the game, again!