Moving from the takeaway towards the top of the backswing will look and feel different for every golfer, but the way in which we get there should be consistent for everyone. Quite simply, how our body moves and how far it is able to rotate will dictate the position the arms finish in but it is crucial to let the body lead the way.
Once we have established that nice takeaway position where the club is parallel to the ground with the toe of the face slightly closed, we can let our larger muscles take us back to that point when we begin the transition into the downswing. Feel as though your torso is rotating and that your right shoulder (for right-handed golfers) is moving up and away; your arms should not feel as though they are higher than your right shoulder. If we get our body moving in this way, the right arm will fold in and wrist hinge will occur naturally according not only to your body type but also the strength of your grip.
A forward press should do part of the work of establishing wrist hinge; the body, the way it moves and gravity will take care of the rest. The type of rotation Adam Scott achieves and the way he sets the club late is unrealistic for the vast majority of amateur golfers. But everyone can maximise their swing within the limitations that their body allows simply by moving in the right sequence.
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Homework: Pressure point
If you are wondering how the pressure in your feet should feel as you move towards the top of the backswing, find an uphill lie and take some practice swings. If you feel unbalanced in any way, shift the pressure until you are able to create a more stable foundation. That’s the feeling you want to replicate on every swing.
