Illustrated Checklist & Tips

Use the golf tips below in order to improve your golf takeaway. The takeaway takes place immediately as you begin your golf swing – after the golf setup – and ends when the club is parallel to the ground which is when the backswing begins. The way you start your swing during the takeaway will have consequences on every swing sequence that follows.

Shaft Points at the Target during the Takeaway

During the takeaway the club should be brought back in line with the target line. Specifically, this means that when the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground the club should be pointing straight ahead on a line that is parallel to the target line. This is in contrast to a club that would be pointing towards the right of the target (going back inside) or one that would be pointing towards the left of the target (going back outside).

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Clubface is Aimed at the Ground Slightly

At the end of the takeaway – when the club shaft is parallel to the ground – the direction the clubface is facing is of particular importance. Indeed, for shots that will penetrate through the air with all the possible vigor and in a straight line the leading edge of the club should tend to point towards the ground slightly, towards the ball. This is in contrast to seeing the clubface pointing towards the sky (open) or towards the ground at a too steep angle (too closed).

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Wrists Don’t Hinge Yet during the Takeaway

Another area to focus on during the takeaway concerns the way the wrists are hinging, and how soon they are. Ideally, you will want to see the shaft of the club reach the position where it is parallel to the ground through the hands moving away from the front of your body via shoulder rotation. This is in contrast to seeing the clubhead rising very quickly through an early wrist hinge, which is not ideal for most normal shots.

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Hands Stay in Front of the Chest (Keep the Triangle)

At address a triangle of the isosceles variety is formed by the butt of the club and your two shoulders as your hands are located directly in front of your chest. During the takeaway this triangle is to be kept intact. This means that as your hands are moved to the right they should do so using the rotation of your upper body (shoulders) in a way that your hands remain in front of your chest. This is contrast to moving your hands without rotating your upper body, which is achieved by the collapse of the right elbow. Failure to keep your chest from facing your hands at this stage will lead the club into an incorrect path that will translate into issues as you progress with your swing.

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More on: Takeaway Drills



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