Backswing
The backswing is the movement of the club from address to the top position. Its purpose is to create the width, shoulder turn, and wrist hinge needed to generate power on the way down.
A complete backswing turns the shoulders fully (roughly 90°), hinges the wrists to set the lag angle, and coils the body against a stable lower half. Width (keeping the lead arm relatively straight and the arc wide) is the main source of power from the backswing; length (getting the shaft parallel or beyond) is less important than position at the top. Many swing faults originate in a rushed, narrow, or disconnected backswing.
Example
A full backswing has the shoulders turned 90°, the lead arm straight, and the shaft pointing at or near parallel to the ground at the top.
Related terms
- TakeawayThe takeaway is the first movement of the club away from the ball. Where and how the club moves in the first 18–24 inches often determines the rest of the backswing shape.
- Wrist HingeWrist hinge is the upward cocking of the wrists during the backswing that creates the angle between the lead arm and shaft — storing energy to be released at impact.
- Shoulder TurnShoulder turn is the rotation of the thoracic spine and shoulders during the backswing. A full shoulder turn (near 90°) is the primary source of swing arc and coil — the engine of a powerful backswing.
- Hip TurnHip turn is the rotation of the pelvis around the spine during the golf swing. In the backswing it resists the shoulder coil; in the downswing it leads the kinetic chain to generate speed.
- TransitionThe transition is the moment the swing changes direction from backswing to downswing. How the body initiates this moment determines sequencing, lag, and the resulting club path.
Related guides & benchmarks
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