FIX Your INSIDE TAKEAWAY Forever!

Are you struggling with a takeaway that feels like the club is whipping too far inside on your backswing? This common mistake can throw off your entire swing sequence and lead to inconsistent ball striking. In this post, we’ll explore the misconceptions around the "whip" motion in the golf takeaway, why it happens, and actionable tips to correct it for better body movement and ball flight.

The Importance of a Proper Takeaway

In the golf swing, the takeaway sets the foundation for the rest of your motion. A proper takeaway positions the club at the right angles and ensures that your body and arms move in sync as you progress into the backswing. One of the most common mistakes golfers make is “whipping” the club too far inside early on in the takeaway. This happens when the club shaft points too much toward the inside, making it harder to maintain a smooth, efficient swing sequence.

In the video, we examine why the “whip” motion can cause problems, how it disrupts your body pivot, and how you can fix it with a few simple drills.

What Happens When You Whip the Club Inside?

When you whip the club too early, the shaft might look like it’s pointing around 2:00 on the clock at the start of your backswing. This early, exaggerated movement can throw off your sequencing and make your body rotate prematurely, which leads to a host of issues like coming over the top or struggling with inconsistent contact.

Many golfers mistakenly think that the more they get the club "inside," the more they will be able to generate a powerful draw. While this may seem true, it can often lead to further problems—like hitting a slice or struggling to control the ball flight—because the body and arms are moving out of sync.

Understanding the Correct Sequencing

To avoid the whipping motion, it's important to understand how your body should move in the takeaway. While your hands and arms move the club, the body should rotate in a way that facilitates a fluid transition into the backswing. Here's how to approach it:

1. Limit the Early Hip Rotation: At the start of the takeaway, avoid over-rotating the hips. Instead, focus on maintaining a stable lower body while allowing a small tilt in your upper body to guide the club into position.
   
   
2. Allow for Wrist Hinge: As you move the club away, focus on hinging your wrists rather than over-rotating your hips. This keeps the club in the right position without pulling it too far inside too early.
   
   
3. Let the Chest Lead the Swing: One of the biggest misconceptions is that the hips should drive the takeaway. In reality, the chest should lead the swing, with the body following naturally. This maintains proper sequencing and reduces the chances of over-rotating too soon.

Drills to Correct the Inside Takeaway

Now that we understand the issue and the solution, let’s dive into some effective drills that will help you correct the whipping motion and improve your takeaway:

1. The Feel and Exaggerate Drill

• Setup: Start with the club at shaft level, parallel to the ground.
  
  
• Execution: Instead of focusing on rotating your hips, feel like the butt of the club is pointing more toward your trail thigh (right side for right-handed golfers).
  
  
• Why It Works: This exaggeration helps you feel what it's like to avoid excessive hip rotation, which helps keep the club in a better position early in the swing. 
  
  

2. Half-Swing Drill with the Clubshaft of the Hip

• Setup: Grip the golf club halfway down, so the club feels heavier.
  
  
• Execution: As you take the club away, keep the shaft against your hip to help keep the club from moving too far inside. This forces your chest and body to lead the motion, not the hips. 
  
  
• Why It Works: The weight of the club and the restriction of the club against your body prevents you from over-rotating your hips too early, helping you focus on a smoother, more synchronized backswing.

3. Clubhead Direction Drill

• Setup: As you start your takeaway, focus on feeling the clubhead point away from your body and more toward the target line.
  
  
• Execution: As you progress through your backswing, feel the clubhead moving outside the hands longer before it rotates inside. This makes it easier for the body to stay more centered and less likely to move prematurely.
  
  
• Why It Works: This drill helps you ensure that the club stays on the proper path, reducing the risk of coming too much from the inside.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with a "whipping" motion in your takeaway, it’s essential to understand how body rotation and wrist hinge work together to guide the club into the correct position. By focusing on drills that emphasize proper body sequencing and limiting excessive hip rotation, you can correct your swing path and improve your consistency. Remember, while the “inside” takeaway may feel powerful, it often leads to sequencing problems. By practicing the right movements, you’ll develop a more effective and fluid swing.

Mastering these drills will not only improve your takeaway, but it will also help you unlock the proper sequencing needed for better ball striking and more consistent shot shaping. Start integrating these drills into your practice routine, and you'll see improvements on the course in no time!