Hi Jack,
I have a real problem with taking my backswing. I swing the club way past parallel. I try to keep my left arm straight and the club gripped without getting “too loose” with my hands, but it still results in a swing that compares with John Daly’s—without the same results.
I can take a practice swing without too extreme a backswing, but when I line up over the ball to actually take a shot, I cannot stop the club. It goes so far around the shaft it hits my neck on most shots. Any help?
Mike Tappan
A.
Good question, Mike. Not many people can copy John Daly’s backswing and get the results he gets. Those that do usually end up mis-hitting the ball or spraying it all over the place, just like you do. The split grip drill described below will help you train you to take a correct backswing.
Take your stance with a club. Now split your hands a few inches apart on the grip. Then swing the club back and push your right arm away to form a 90-degree angle at the elbow, almost like a waiter does when he holds a tray of dishes above his head. Do this a number of times, then close up your grip and hit some balls. Try to remember how backswing felt when doing the drill.
When you overswing your left arms tends to separate from your body much too early. So when performing this drill, try feeling that you exert some pressure on your chest with your left arm.