What’s YOUR Maximum Backswing Rotation?

I just tried a recommended exercise from the Golf at a Glance MorningRead blog and confirmed that my limited backswing is real. If your spine won’t let you rotate with a full straight arm backswing then stop trying. Yes, don’t be stupid. If you have this problem then you need to swing properly within your limitations.

Check out this spine rotation exercise as you kneel and place one hand on the back of your head. Then rotate your elbow and spine as you would for a backswing. It’s tougher than you think when you are over 50 but it will help you understand your swing limitation.

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Try holding a golf club with your arms as you address the ball and then turn and lift your club so that it is parallel to the ground and pointing away from your target line. You completed this move by turning your wrists and cocking them slightly to point the toe of your club directly up and away from the ground. Your backswing uses that exact wrist rotation in addition to a 45 degree hip rotation and a 45 degree spine rotation as you lift your arms.

For most golfers over 50 that’s easier said than done. I’m missing some of that hip and spine rotation so I can never create a full back swing with a proper STRAIGHT LEADING ARM. The most important part of your swing is to keep your leading arm straight so I NEVER reach a full backswing where my club is parallel to the ground at the top of the swing. Many aging and recreational golfers have the same problem but don’t despair.

Brooke Henderson has an over-back-swing like John Daly. It works for them but it’s not ideal for most golfers.

The loss of flexibility and rotation of YOUR AGING SPINE is limiting YOUR full backswing.
-Forget about that over-swing that we see for John Daly and Brooke Henderson.
-Forget about that perfect 90 degree backswing by Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott.
-Recreational golfers over the age of 50 should accept their limited backswing.
-The first part of every downswing is to pull down with your straight leading arm and your wrists cocked. You are just starting this move a little lower in the downswing than full swing golfers.
-A straight leading arm at the point of impact is critical for consistent hits.

Accept your spine limitation and limited backswing. Keeping your leading arm straight as you reach the limit of your backswing & wrist lag. Then slightly loop (or shallow) your club down to swing from the inside (the slot) and up your target line. Practice with your GOLFSTR+ for your straight arm swing. Just let your club do the work as you release your wrist lag at the bottom of your swing. Buy one today at www.GOLFSTR.com.

PS: GOLF LAW #12 Since bad shots come in groups of three, your fourth consecutive bad shot is really the beginning of the next group of three.

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