"...Then, I just throw the club over my shoulder" (Underdiscussed backswing concept?)

[KMeloney]

Reading all of the recent threads on backswing problems, I recall having heard some folks describe getting the club to the top as "I start the club going back, and then I just throw the club over my shoulder." In my mind, this backswing thought is depicted in an old video/thread by a member using cigarettes:

 

 

Boiled down, I see the concept of the "over the shoulder" description and the video as this: With the golfer standing on a clock face with the target in the direction of 9 o'clock and the club starting at roughly 12 o'clock, you DON'T get the club to the top/pointing down the line by swinging it around you from 12 o'clock all the way around the face and up to 9 o'clock; rather, you get it moving back from 12 toward 3 o'clock, and UP and "over your shoulder" with no intention of it swinging through the 3-to-6 o'clock (or beyond) quadrant.

 

Or, consider setting up to the ball with a wall just behind you, and not hitting the wall with the club head on the backswing. 

 

This seems like the most basic of basic golf concepts -- but for anyone who struggles with taking the club inside on the way back, or who feels like they're not getting their hands deep enough on the backswing, or who gets the arms pins on the chest while trying to make a bigger, "more powerful" turn, this concept is easily overlooked or was never known to exist in the first place. (Ask me how I know. 😉) With a wall anywhere behind you, it seems impossible to these folks to not hit the wall somewhere around waist-high or just above.

 

It's my opinion (read: experience) that even if you get the backswing started off the ball "correctly" (whether you go "one-piece," or "maintain the triangle," or "move the hands in and keep the club head out," etc.), without an idea like "then, throw the club over your shoulder," it's easy to think (and FEEL) like the only way to keep the club on-plane and to get to the top is to keep swinging the club around into that 3-to-6 o'clock quadrant. It seems we're told that you shouldn't "lift the arms," and so it's easy to keep swinging the club around behind you somewhere -- somewhere flat, and too long, and across the line, and with your leading arm pinned to your chest and tour right elbow flying -- even if it's on a higher plane.

 

Because of my misconception (even as a high 70's to mid 80's player), my impression and feel when trying this was that the club was over my neck or head (too shallow), that my left arm had bent to get the club there, and that the club was across the line. Swinging in the mirror, none of that was the case. Instead, just thinking "up and over" getting near P2 put me in a great place at the top. With the proper wrist hinge motion, and the new route to the top, the folding of the right arm really does seem to be all that's needed to get the club to the top. It's been truly enlightening. 

 

I'm not under the impression that this concept is "new" or "innovative" or anything of the sort. Heck, it might just be the definition of a two-plane swing. But sometimes the most basic or oldest of concepts can be overlooked because they're so basic or old; or sometime people need a concept to be worded a certain way -- or a visual -- before it clicks. I'm interested in hearing others' takes on the validity/effectiveness of this concept/swing thought.

[johnrobison]

I've seen this intent result in a very flat shoulder turn. There still has to be an emphasis on lead-side bend and shoulder rotation.

[KMeloney]

17 hours ago, johnrobison said:

I've seen this intent result in a very flat shoulder turn. There still has to be an emphasis on lead-side bend and shoulder rotation.

 

Interesting. I find that nothing turns my shoulders flatter than having my left arm pinned on my chest and trying to turn more.

 

But, yes, this intent assumes a decent shoulder turn (and isn't in lieu of a decent shoulder turn).

[Zitlow]

I get the concept but it's easier when started from the ground up.

 

Of course it helps to know what to move, when to move it and how to move it to generate energy in the backswing and release the energy in the downswing. 

 

Edited January 22, 2021 by Zitlow