Stop Overswinging! The #1 Backswing Drill for a Consistent Swing

Are you under the impression that a longer backswing automatically leads to more distance? It’s a common myth among golfers, especially amateurs. While it may seem intuitive that swinging the club further would result in hitting the ball farther, many top players—like John Rahm—prove that a shorter, more compact swing can actually generate more power. In this post, we’ll break down the essential concepts of creating a powerful golf swing with a shorter backswing, highlight key drills, and explain how to maintain the right form to improve your distance and accuracy on the course.

The Power of a Short, Efficient Backswing

When watching professional golfers, you might notice that their swings often appear more compact than many amateurs think they should be. There’s no need to swing the club past parallel to achieve maximum distance. In fact, as we’ll explain, maintaining good structure and width in your swing is far more important than having an excessively long backswing.

Take a look at the swings of players like Tony Finau or Jon Rahm. They generate incredible power with a swing that doesn’t require overextending the body. If they were to lengthen their swings excessively, they’d sacrifice the key mechanics that allow for powerful, consistent ball striking.

Understanding the Importance of Swing Length

So, what’s the right length for your backswing? The answer is somewhat flexible, as it can depend on your body type, flexibility, and personal style. However, as a reference, if you're filming yourself from a face-on view with the camera at chest height, your goal should be to bring the club up to about a 45° angle at the top of the swing.

Here’s a simple analogy: Think of your arms swinging to around “10:00” on an imaginary clock. This position allows for a full shoulder turn, with enough extension to provide power while still maintaining proper form. If your hands reach a position closer to 12:00 or 1:00, you’re likely overextending, which can lead to loss of structure in your arms and a breakdown in body rotation.

The Key to a Powerful Swing: Width and Structure

One of the key elements in creating a powerful golf swing is ensuring that your arms and body stay connected throughout the motion. At the top of the swing, maintaining "width"—the distance between your arms and your body—is crucial. This structure helps you create a well-sequenced swing that delivers power to the ball at impact.

When your arms are too close to your body, or if your swing gets too long, you lose that width and stability, which can drastically reduce your ability to generate power. Maintaining proper width and ensuring your chest and hands stay relatively in sync will allow for a more fluid motion and a more powerful strike.

Drills to Improve Your Swing Length and Power

The Accordion Drill

One effective way to train yourself to maintain the right swing length is with the Accordion Drill. This drill focuses on keeping your hands in front of your chest while also ensuring you make a 90° shoulder turn. Here’s how to do it:

Setup: Swing to the top of your backswing (whatever that may be for you) and, from that position, pump your hands in and out of your chest, mimicking the folding and unfolding action of an accordion. This helps you feel the proper wrist hinge and shoulder turn while keeping your swing length compact.

Tip: This drill helps reinforce a shorter, more efficient backswing while maintaining a solid connection between your body and arms.

The Periscope Drill

Another helpful drill is the Periscope Drill, which encourages proper wrist hinge while maintaining the proper form. In this drill, you’ll simulate the motion of a periscope by folding your arms upward and turning your body, keeping your arms extended in front of you. This motion ensures that you’re maintaining the necessary structure and wrist hinge.

Setup: Set up as if preparing to take a shot. Fold your arms to create a 90° angle with your body. From here, practice a shoulder turn and feel how your arms stay in front of your chest as you hinge your wrists correctly.

Tip: Focus on maintaining that 90° shoulder turn and ensuring your arms are always in front of your chest. This helps prevent over-rotation or sacrificing structure for a longer swing.

Conclusion

The key takeaway is this: Lengthening your backswing doesn't necessarily equate to more power. In fact, keeping your swing compact and focused on maintaining good structure and width will allow you to generate much more efficient power. By incorporating drills like the Accordion and Periscope, you can fine-tune your swing and create more consistent, powerful ball contact.

If you want to hit the ball further, focus on the proper body turn, maintaining a 45° backswing angle, and ensuring your arms remain extended and in front of your chest. The less you overextend your swing, the more control and power you’ll generate at impact, leading to better results on the course.

Keep practicing, and you’ll be amazed at how a shorter, more efficient swing can unlock a new level of performance in your game!