Driving · Tip
Start Your Takeaway in One Piece
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Where your takeaway goes, your swing tends to follow. So start it smoothly. Let everything move together. The clubhead leads, then your hands and arms, then your lead shoulder turns. Don't snatch the club inside with your hands. Don't roll your wrists early. Either one puts you off track before you reach the top. Stop at waist height and check that the clubhead is outside your hands.
Step by step
- Set up relaxed, club behind the ball.
- Move the clubhead back low and slow.
- Let hands, arms and shoulder follow together.
- Stop at waist height and check the clubhead.
- Finish the turn and swing through.
Why it works
The first part of the backswing sets the path and plane for the rest of the swing. When the clubhead, hands, arms and chest move together, the club stays in front of you and has less to correct later. A snatch inside or an early wrist roll throws the club off line, and you then have to fix it with a compensation on the way down.
Common mistakes
- You pull the club inside with your hands in the first foot of the swing.Move the clubhead straight back low to the ground and let your chest start turning with it.
- You roll your wrists open early so the clubface points at the sky.Keep your wrists quiet until your hands reach waist height and let the turn move the club.
- You move fast and jerk the club away from the ball.Start slow and smooth, as if you were pushing the club along the grass.
How you'll know it's working
- At waist height the clubhead sits outside your hands and the toe points roughly up.
- The club moves away from the ball without a jerk and your chest has started to turn.
- Your contact is more centered and the ball starts closer to your target line.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make slow half swings with a short iron and stop at waist height each time to look at the clubhead.
Harder: Hit full drives at normal speed while keeping the same smooth, one-piece start and checking the club only in your feel.
Common questions
What does a one-piece takeaway mean in golf?
It means the clubhead, hands, arms and shoulders start moving back together. Nothing moves first on its own, so the club stays in front of your body.
How far should the clubhead go back low to the ground?
Keep it low and moving smoothly until your hands reach about waist height. At that point the clubhead should be outside your hands.
