Five simple exercises to improve your golf swing.

Mastering the backswing is a challenge that has humbled even the most celebrated legends of golf. Names like Sir Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino, Jim Furyk, John Daly, and of course, the unparalleled Tiger Woods, have all faced difficulties to varying degrees with their backswing. Therefore, it is perfectly normal for us mere mortals to also struggle with this crucial phase of the game. However, many of the common mistakes we make can be easily avoided by following some simple tips that not only improve our backswing but also ensure we maintain the correct plane.

One of the fundamental exercises is the **Hand Path Drill**. The essential advice for all golfers is: “Keep your hands low.” A frequent mistake is lifting the hands quickly and sharply right at the start of the motion. This abrupt elevation causes a disconnection between the lead arm and the shoulder plane at the top of the backswing, resulting in a club path that is too steep and uncontrolled on the way down. The swing plane should be aligned with the shoulders, but the hands should travel slightly below shoulder level. To achieve this, the hands should remain close to the ground during the initial phase of the movement, ideally below belt level in the first half of the backswing.

Another effective exercise is the **Arm Connection Drill: Split Hand Grip**. Many players make the mistake of moving their arms independently of the torso, causing the hands to rise above the shoulders too early. This results in a position where the chest is “ahead” of the hands at the top, leaving the club stuck behind the body. The solution? The arms should move as an extension of the body’s rotation. To practice this, try the exercise known as “Giving Blood.” As you rotate the trailing arm as if you are “giving blood,” keep the left hand on top. From this position, rotate the body and rehearse the movement in front of a mirror to ensure that the arms are moving only in the direction of the shoulder rotation.

We cannot forget the **Lead Arm: Trail Under Lead** exercise, which addresses the tendency of the lead arm to collapse over the chest during the backswing. This “stuck” position ruins the swing plane and forces the golfer to throw the club at the ball, often resulting in an excessively vertical movement. The lead arm should remain in front of the center of the chest throughout the entire backswing, maintaining swing width and ensuring that the club stays on the desired inclined plane. To practice, place the trailing hand behind the lead arm near the elbow and push the hands to the top using the front shoulder.

Moving on to the exercise **Creating Leverage: Wrist Hinge Feel (The Beach Ball)**, many amateur golfers attempt to create a wrist hinge by lifting the club with their fingers, which diverts the club from the body and compromises the swing. The correct wrist hinge should result from a slight downward pressure on the grip. Imagine you are pushing a beach ball underwater; this downward pressure movement establishes a comfortable “L” shape without independent hand movements. This creates a short and compact swing that feels powerful and ready for action.

Last but not least, the exercise **Transition sync: The ‘Hideki’ Pause** is crucial to avoid rushing the transition from the backswing to the downswing. Many golfers initiate the downswing with their shoulders and hands instead of using the power of the lower body. To prevent this, try the “Hideki Drill,” which involves coming to a complete stop for two seconds at the top of the backswing. From this pause, initiate the downswing by moving the front hip towards the target area, allowing the arms to drop naturally into the correct space while the legs and hips begin to rotate. This pause is essential for all parts of the body to work in harmony, creating a smooth and effective rhythm, a technique that master Hideki Matsuyama has successfully incorporated into his game.

Adopting these exercises will not only improve your backswing but also elevate your game to a new level, bringing you closer to the standards of the great masters of golf. Get ready to see a transformation in your swing and, consequently, in your results on the course.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.