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Illustration by Jim McQueen |
The golf swing is easiest for me when I get my hands fully underneath the
shaft of the club at the top of the backswing. I hit the ball farthest and
straightest when I fully extend my arms during the swing.
Look at the highlighted area of the larger illustration and you'll note that
the upper part of my right arm is still higher than the upper part of my
left arm--even at this fairly advanced stage of the backswing.
Trying to replicate this position could help you greatly if you have trouble
either positioning your hands correctly at the top or achieving full arm
extension, or both. Feeling that the clubface turns slightly under as you
start back, and that your hands stay slightly inside the arc of the clubhead
all the way to the top, will help you make the move. Note the "slightly" in
both cases.
Our Nicklaus/Flick Golf School teachers encountered many fairly good golfers
who tried to get the toe of the club up in the air quickly, or their hands
underneath the shaft, or both, by rotating the clubface open or clockwise
right off the ball. Invariably, this produced too flat a swing plane, too
cramped an arm swing, and incorrect hands positioning to the side of the
club at the top.
The right-arm-above-left thought and move is the best way I know to fix such
faults.
Next week's topic: Build Maximum Spring into Your Swing.
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