How To Create More Width in the Backswing (without swaying)

Are you struggling to generate power and consistency in your golf swing? A key to unlocking both lies in creating width in your backswing. Many golfers on the range attempt to “widen” their backswing, but they often misunderstand how to properly engage their arms, body, and hips in harmony. In this post, we’ll dive into the relationship between your arms, body, and the creation of width in the backswing, and offer you simple yet effective tips to enhance your swing and increase your power.

The Importance of Width in the Backswing

When it comes to generating power in your golf swing, width is essential. Having a wide backswing allows you to load up on power, setting up a more explosive and efficient downswing. But width doesn’t just happen on its own—it's the result of proper coordination between your arms, body, and hips. By keeping the arms extended while rotating the chest, you create a solid foundation for generating speed and control as you come down into the ball. The key is to avoid swaying your body or collapsing your arms too early.

So, what does the perfect “wide” backswing look like, and how can you implement it in your game?

Understanding the Relationship Between Arms, Chest, and Hips

To create a proper wide backswing, the arms and chest need to work together in a synchronized movement. Here’s how it all comes together:

Arm Structure and Rotation: As you begin your backswing, focus on keeping your lead arm extended while rotating your chest. This movement should feel like a “stretch” between your arms and your chest as they move away from the ball. The key here is to maintain a consistent radius, meaning your arms stay extended without pulling the club too tight to your body.

Avoiding the Sway: One common mistake golfers make when trying to create width is shifting too much weight into the trail foot, causing a lateral sway. This can throw off your balance and lead to poor strikes. Instead, focus on rotating your hips around your spine, without letting your lower body sway too far from your starting position. This ensures your upper body and arms can maintain their width while you turn.

The Role of the Hips: A big part of generating width in the backswing involves your hips. As you rotate back, the right hip (for right-handed golfers) should move back and around, creating space between the hips and the chest. This allows for a more fluid and powerful rotation as you move into the downswing.

Drills to Improve Width in the Backswing

Back Hip Reference Drill

Setup: Place a golf club across your trail hip (right hip for right-handed golfers). This will serve as a visual reference for your hip movement during the backswing.

Execution: As you take the club back, focus on rotating your hips in a circular motion around your spine. You should feel your right hip moving back and around while your arms stay extended.

Tip: Check the distance between your hands and your trail shoulder. At the top of the backswing, there should be significant separation, indicating that your arms are fully extended and your body is properly rotated. This wide position creates a more dynamic coil for the downswing.

Lead Arm and Chest Synchronization Drill

Setup: Stand in your regular address position, and start your backswing by focusing on keeping your lead arm extended.

Execution: As you rotate your chest, maintain the width between your lead arm and your chest. Your arms should not collapse or pull inward; instead, the lead arm should stay straight while the chest turns with it. This ensures the width stays intact.

Tip: You can even rehearse this motion in front of a mirror to ensure you’re turning your chest without letting your arms collapse. The more you practice this, the more natural it will feel to maintain width while rotating.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Narrow Backswing: Many golfers struggle with a narrow backswing, where their arms are too close to their body. This often happens when the body doesn’t rotate fully or when the lead arm collapses too soon. To fix this, focus on keeping the lead arm extended and work on rotating the chest fully without pulling the arms inward.

Excessive Swaying: Another common issue is swaying too much onto the trail foot during the backswing. While it’s natural to shift some weight to your right side (for right-handed golfers), too much lateral movement can throw off your balance and make it hard to return to the ball. To correct this, try focusing on rotating your hips in a circular motion rather than pushing them laterally.

Overcompensating for Width: Some golfers try to create width by pushing their hands too far away from the body. This often leads to a loss of connection between the upper body and arms, which can result in an inefficient downswing. Instead, focus on keeping your arms extended naturally while maintaining a balanced, controlled rotation of the body.

Conclusion

Creating width in your backswing is a critical component of generating power, consistency, and control in your golf swing. By understanding the relationship between your arms, chest, and hips, and focusing on proper body rotation and arm extension, you’ll be able to make more dynamic and efficient swings. Incorporate the drills mentioned above to refine your technique and start hitting the ball with more speed and accuracy.

Remember, width isn’t about over-extending or forcing movement—it’s about creating a solid, fluid motion that allows you to transition smoothly into your downswing. By mastering your backswing width, you’ll unlock a whole new level of power and consistency in your game. Happy golfing!