POSITION 2- Takeaway

This is the second of a series of key swing positions that allow you to match your own swing to the model to see how it stacks up. The model assumes a right handed golfer who is hitting a straight shot.

The takeaway begins the swing and it ends its short journey with three outstanding characteristics.  1) The hands and the clubhead are the same height. 2) The shaft is parallel to the target line, 3) The face of the club is square to the arc of the swing.

Note that the face is still square to the arc of the swing even though it’s open [pointing to the right] of the target line

The Head: It remains in the middle of the shoulders which are closed and tilted slightly towards the ground.

The lead arm is straight and the trail arm has folded just a bit.  The right forearm is higher and on top of the left. The weight distribution has changed with more weight now flowing into the right hip. The spine retains its position as the hips begin their rotation.  At this point the left wrist is flat and in line with the front forearm while the trail wrist has increased its cup. The left knee has turned in a fraction and it should feel as if your weight is on the inside rims of your feet.

 

Tour pro Robert Allenby demonstrates the end of a perfect takeaway as his front arm swings to a 45-degree angle with the ground. Stop your swing at this point and check in a mirror to make sure you have accomplished the three keys mentioned above both from the target line view and the face- on view as shown in the photos. And don’t forget to center to head ala Allenby.

A Key Concept: Slack Breeds Slap 

At no time should there be any slack in your takeaway because slack breeds slap, i.e., looseness in the backswing causes a weak slapping action through impact due to a lack of coil. By swinging the lead arm to create maximum stretch, you keep tension on the muscles constant, which leads to a powerful release of this tension at impact. Also, the more stretch you create, the wider your swing arc will be which means more clubhead speed and power.

Now you don't consciously prevent your chest from moving, but you condition it to wait for the lead arm tug, a signal that comes as soon as you "run out of lead arm".  The proper sequence of motion keeps stretch on the muscles of the lead side of your body, especially your triceps. This is the beginning of coil and to maximize it keep your shirt buttons even with the ball until the pull of your lead arm becomes irresistible.