Let’s make sure you’re crystal-clear on the key points for your takeaway. The ultimate purpose of the takeaway is to get your clubface square. It’ll make it easy for you to bring the face back to square at impact.
There are a series of easy to follow checkpoints in the early parts of your golf swing that ensure that you can have a smooth consistent takeaway. To groove this, grab a club, ball, and a shaft. I’m a big fan of shafts for training visuals. Lay the shaft down on your toe line and parallel to the target line.
Takeaway Checkpoints
The very first thing to check is your grip. Let’s make sure your grip is awesome. Ideally neutral. Many players like a slightly strong grip, and that’s fine. Just make sure that you are not overcooking that.
Zip Up!
Next, let’s zipper you up. I’m a big fan of connection, so zip up – zip-zip your lead and trail arm to your torso, so the only thing moving in your forearms.
I am a big fan of the one-piece takeaway, and the feeling of only moving your forearms will really help you simplify the takeaway.
As I begin the takeaway, I allow my chest to drive the initial move, with my hands and club going along for the ride.
Three Easy Checks for Your Takeaway
When my club’s shaft is parallel to the shaft on the ground I can check that:
- My hands are over my toes; and
- The ball marker on my glove is pointing slightly down, as is the club face. We don’t want the clubface fanned open or shut or the ball marker facing the sky or directly down to the ground.
The clubface and the ball marker on your glove checkpoints are a great training and assessment tool when you’re out on the course!
Now, from this point, just turn to the top.
Remember, the ultimate purpose of the takeaway is square. It’ll make it easy for you to bring the face back to square at impact.
The Double Check
Now here is the double check, to ensure that your takeaway was indeed sound. Your clubface at the top of the backswing should appear angled slightly down, so it mirrors the angle of your lead arm.
If the face is pointing to the sky, that means it’s shut and your balls most likely hook.
If the face is pointing completely down and your lead wrist is cupped… really cupped, that will create an open club face. If you’re struggling from slices or weak rights that may be the culprit.
Again, check your grip and make sure that your chest is the primary driver during the takeaway. I see a lot of players leave their chests on the ball and just take the club away with their arms … or they lift the club straight up, creating a disconnect.
Instead, zip up and ensure your hands track over your toes (over the shaft on the ground).
I hope that these checkpoints help you get your takeaway just right and make more pars.
