Refining the Backswing

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If you haven't experienced immediate success with the throw it's because you're likely out of position going back. The video will show you how to nail the backswing to be exactly like Tiger's 2000 backswing because it was the simplest of all time.

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Jeff
Hey Chuck, I have watched this video many times and practiced this takeaway/backswing many times. Today, after viewing it again, I discovered that I was missing a key part of the video to finish the move and that is, that you are not only moving the hands and arm down the line/shaft, but you also are moving the shoulder down that line until the left arm moves into that "vertical/round off" position to finish the backswing. When "finishing" the backswing before I would be finishing the arms, but not the full shoulder turn. Now, everything is synced up. BTW, HAPPY 4TH !!!
July 4, 2024
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Chuck
Awesome! Yes, the shoulder must move the arm, you don't want much independent arm movement
July 4, 2024
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Will
Chuck, I feel like I got the hand and club path going back correct, and the subtleties of the left wrist just slightly flattening. I’m getting good power and mechanics by concentrating on the throw, but, I still hit bleeders to the right. Through impact , do you consciously feel the slight bow of the left wrist to return the club head back to how it was addressed? I just don’t think I’m turning it down quite enough… I know it’s just subtle… but my misses are also just subtle. With driver…they can be more pronounced of course.
June 11, 2024
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Chuck
No I don't try and bow the wrist, my initial check would be are you getting out in front of the ball - that's the most common way to hit leakers. I don't mean just is your head getting out too far in front but is your rotation out running your release
June 11, 2024
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Will
Hmm….good point
June 11, 2024
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Diane
I understand that a lead side swing tends to be more rotation-driven while the Tiger swing is more about width but can the Tiger-backswing be compatible with a lead side dominant swing ie it’s a simpler way to get to the top? Just trying to understand how all the bits of the toolkit fit together.
May 14, 2024
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Chuck
Sure, there's not a ton of difference there really as far as the arms at the top, it's more in how you load the muscles and what you do down from there that is the primary difference.
May 15, 2024
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Mike
When does the rear arm's elbow start to fold in the backswing?
April 26, 2024
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Chuck
roughly after the end of the takeaway
April 26, 2024
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Will
Chuck, Took this to the range and had some crazy gains in speed. Looking at videos of my swing, I’m coming way more from the inside, but my club path seems to be very steep now. It looks like the face is closing at the very last second instead of being square to impact longer. I don’t think I’m coming over the top, because my right shoulder is staying down during the swing, but my hand path is a tiny bit outside right where it should be at impact. How do I finish more left with my hands so that my club face is more square and that my hand path is a bit closer to my waist? Do you think it’s the release not folding (left hand under right) as aggressively as it should? My only swing thoughts are trace the club line with hands and wrists like you doing this video, and cast from the top with hands immediately at the top of screen. My hips and everything are very open at impact…but club path could be just a little better. Thanks for all you do!
April 13, 2024
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Chuck
I'd have to see this to give you a correct answer.
April 15, 2024
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Will
Man, this was the missing link that I needed. The left arm trace the line and left wrist simplicity from your (our) perspective should really help everyone immensely. Seeing it from that POV really helps one get the Goat feel. I feel like left arm up and under, slight wrist bow, keep arm and wrist angles, then throw while I de-weight my right foot and transfer to the left. Follow through and lead side take the “hit” of the throw and puts everything after the throw on line bio-mechanically. This is excellent!
April 12, 2024
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Chuck
Glad you're enjoying it Will!
April 12, 2024
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Roger
Chuck! Can the method of refining the backswing be applied to fairway woods? Thanks Roger
March 13, 2024
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Chuck
Absolutely. You only want one swing, so every club in the bag
March 14, 2024
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edward
Square to Square. Dick Aultman. 1975. Illustrations by Anthony Ravelli
March 10, 2024
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Rory
What do you think of setting up with a flat lead wrist and straight lead arm? Does it help avoid cupping the lead wrist at the top of the backswing? It may get rid of one more motion or swing thought.
February 23, 2024
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Chuck
Not a bad thing. Jon Rahm does it for example. But it’s more important to understand exactly what the wrist is doing throughout the swing and that is my next video
February 24, 2024
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RJ
Been working on the flattening on the lead wrist but still find myself crossing the line. Is there a quick fix?
February 22, 2024
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Chuck
Is your trail elbow flying away from your body?
February 22, 2024
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RJ
It is very internally rotated. I don’t have issues with flexibility in my shoulder.
February 22, 2024
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Chuck
Then it is your wrist unless you’re crazy flexible and making a huge turn. The wrists really dont move much in the swing and you maybe moving them more than you realize. Im using a Hackmotion right now and think it could really help with issues like these. Im going to see if i can get a member discount on them
February 22, 2024
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Steve
I can attest to this! I have a Hackmotion sensor and when you pair it with the Goat code it’s an absolute game changer! You can work on your swing without hitting a ball and get all of the data and insight to improve! Tells you if you are doing the movements and hitting the key positions correctly! Pricey… But I highly recommend!
March 2, 2024
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Jeff
I have a question about the grip of the lead arm. If I keep a loose grip on the lead arm, the club seems to sway at the top of my backswing. Do you recommend a little firmer grip on the lead arm and hand to allow for a more straight line at the top (arm and wrist) ?
February 19, 2024
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Chuck
Yes. I hold on to the club relatively firmly with my left hand.
February 19, 2024
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Remington
Interesting video Chuck. You constantly told us that the move that started the backswing was a 2 inch right shoulder movement. Now, you appear to be saying that the correct move is a left shoulder move down the line. Which is it? Very confused!
February 12, 2024
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Chuck
Check out the goat theory videos that cover this topic
February 12, 2024
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Remington
Thanks Chuck, I have viewed the GOAT videos but am unable to find the answer to this question. Perhaps I have missed something. Please forward a link to the appropriate video. I cannot be the only subscriber who is interested in this. Regards, Remington
February 12, 2024
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Chuck
I think this is the video you are looking for https://rotaryswing.com/c4/112539-how-to-fix-the-3-most-common-backswing-faults
February 12, 2024
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Stuart
Hi Chuck, love this video and made immediate improvements in my club head control and directions of shots. I'm now hanging for your next videos in the GOAT Code. Are you planning similar videos on the transition, downswing and follow-through etc. Also I really benefited from the pull the trailor metaphor and the continuous swing, Is this the same with the GOAT Code? Thanks
February 12, 2024
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Chuck
Hi Stuart, yes I have a whole series of videos that I am working on as we speak. As for the pulling, you can still feel that, but in general one of the main differences is the way that the club is propelled and the swings of the goats that uses a more active trail hand.
February 12, 2024
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David
Chuck, Have you checked your Tiger2k swing on a Trackman to see if your Ball Speed, Clubhead speed stayed similar or actually increased? I suspect with the efficiencies gained it would increase both. I would love to know what you find. I am confident as an Amateur mine should both go up but I will document and also post my Tiger2k video very soon in the community area. Thanks for the feedback! AWESOME STUFF especially on the simplicity of what you explain in simple terms! Thanks.
February 11, 2024
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Chuck
Thank you, David. My ball speed, and all of that stuff is still the same as I hit the ball very well to begin with so I wasn’t expecting anything there to change. As I mentioned, the biggest thing is the efficiency I feel in my body where there is way less stress than ever before.
February 12, 2024
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John
Every time I watch this swing of tiger or even Adam Scott when they take away the club there is a space that opens up between their lead bicep or tricep and their body or chest. I have tried this on video and I just don't understand it. Is it thru rotation or them moving their arms away from their body. Can you help explain this if possible?
February 11, 2024
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Chuck
You’ve got it, John, the arms are separating from the body as they are not really loading up their body. They are simply getting the arms into a position of leverage to be able to throw from.
February 12, 2024
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Michael
Hey Chuck. RST, dead drill, & Axiom helped me increase speed, eliminate casting & get to a 9 hdcp. Crept up to a 13 chasing more speed with extra body movement, ground force, etc. First range session with the GOAT cast from the top was a disaster. It didn't mix with so much body movement, resulting with club stuck behind me. Next session, more subtle body movement, more hand speed, just thinking trail elbow to pocket, & voila/woohoo, club back in front of body & broke 80 a few times in a row. All clubs were much more on line to target. It appears the pull draw miss is gone! My set up has been lead wrist fairly flat, arm lined up with club shaft, toward inside of lead thigh. Question: what's the purpose of cupped lead wrist at setup through takeaway? More speed? I tried this on the range but I noticed more wrist movement than my set up, and less accuracy. Thx again for your swing passion.
February 9, 2024
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Chuck
It has to do with the strength of your grip in order to square the face when you have shafting since at set up, the shaft is vertical. With a stronger grip that is necessary to square the face with shaft lean unless you do some sort of compensation the wrist will be cut at address and flat at impact.
February 10, 2024
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Peter
Hi Chuck, I’ve been a Rotary Swing subscriber since forever, and my golf game has improved greatly over the past 2 decades thanks to all the amazing training videos and in-person instruction you have provided me over the years. Now, you’ve built on those prior videos, and tied all them together into a coherent whole with the DEAD drills, followed by the AXIOM, and especially now with that brilliant capstone — the GOAT series. I cannot begin to tell you how much I’ve appreciated the valuable insights these 3 newest series provide, and especially your recognition that different golfers learn differently — much like my college geology students did, in fact, back in the day. I cannot wait to try out your latest GOAT series on the range and course — once our Ohio winter is over.
February 9, 2024
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Chuck
Thank you! Hopefully spring cones early this year!
February 10, 2024
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Sean
Hi Chuck, I tried the backswing per the video and while I felt I was doing it correctly, when I swung via GOAT Code (cast the club from the top, wide-glide-wide, etc) the result I got was ball going left (and lefter). Grrr. Could this be caused by a bowed (vs flat) wrist at the top? Getting too deep (hands/club behind me) at the top of the backswing? Starting to throw/cast with the hands, but throwing shoulders left near impact also? Thoughts? Thanks.
February 9, 2024
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Chuck
It could be all those things. Hitting it hard left means there is a major dysfunction somewhere that you don’t realize and I would need to see it to know for sure
February 10, 2024
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Todd
This series is a game changer! There’s a video that came out a few weeks ago with Tiger in a friendly long drive competition. Tiger is on his knees and out drives the guy! Says a lot about not having to use the lower body and still get plenty of distance.
February 9, 2024
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Chuck
Yep, exactly!
February 9, 2024
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Du Vaughn
Chuck, is this backswing feel the same for Driver? The feel of getting VERTICAL? Or should it feel more around the body?
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
The feel is similar yes, but with the longer shaft it will feel less vertical for sure.
February 8, 2024
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Michael
Loved the video. As a check point you could have pointed out the club head should travel in line with your hands (down the line) and then over the upper arm /bicep area. This helps me because I tend to pull inside and not tilt my shoulders enough like you have pointed out properly most of us amateurs tend to do.
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
Ya, there were a couple things I wanted to mention in this one and forgot. I will reshoot it in the spring most likely when I can get outside again and make sure I include some of these details.
February 8, 2024
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Joe
What an Incredible explanation....definitely my biggest problem in the golf swing. Thank you for the great visuals!!
February 7, 2024
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Joe
I have a tendency to bend my back elbow (which is my left) too early and get the elbow behind me. The towel drill tends to help me a little because it keeps my elbow in a little. Any suggestions?
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
If the elbow is bending it's likely because you are pushing your lead arm across the body rather than straight down the line as I cover here. Then there is no reason for your trail arm to bend.
February 8, 2024
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Joe
Thank you very much for all your help!!!
February 8, 2024
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Charl
Chuck, this is pure golf genius! For the first time golf's mystery has been unraveled and laid bare. I like your new approach where feelings dominate mechanical movements. I even got the 9-3 drill wrong because I flared my club open. I cannot wait to get back to South Africa to work on the GOAT series, also applying it to your DEAD and AXIOM drills
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
Thank you Charl! Hopefully this makes it clear just how simple Tiger's backswing really was
February 8, 2024
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Paul
Hey Chuck, does this backswing feel relate to the 4 square drill that you taught a while back ago?
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
Sure, this is just much more specific
February 7, 2024
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Steve
The Final piece to the puzzle Chuck! I truly feel this is the one area that was always missing in Rotary Swing! This is the perfect complement to the rest of the Goat series!!! I have worked my ass off over the last several years to achieve a great golf swing… Everything that you have said in this goat series resonates with me so much! I have always known myself to be a “feel player” So when you say that the dead drill made people too mechanical… that was me… Axiom helped but never quite clicked and I still had faults… The Axiom power program made a huge difference for me in simplifying everything but this goat series of feel driven movements has me swinging without a million thoughts and my swing has never looked better! The caveat to this was I still had too much extension in my swing at the top… I know you don’t love training aids and I’m not sure how familiar you are with HACKMOTION? But it is a game changer for feedback! I played around to find a way to get into the correct pod at the top and that feeling of going vertical was exactly what did it for me… But I couldn’t put a finger on when was the right point to do it and whether to use right or left… A gain, the common themes you mention happened to me! This video really hits home! I found feeling my right wrist bend at the top with the feeling of the wiper arm helped… Would it be correct to say that the Axiom power program touched on this? I mean with the slight right arm movement like a wiper arm? As I mentioned that program really helped as I realize how right arm dominant I truly am… Or would you say to forget that and work with this left arm exclusively? Thanks so much! As always this is pure gold and you have truly figured The Goat swing out and how to teach it! Steve B
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
Forgot to mention I just get sent a Hackmotion thing to test and will be testing it in the next couple weeks.
February 7, 2024
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Steve
Thanks Chuck! It really does simplify the movement so I will work with that the next few days and see if I can get into the correct position at the top! That seems to be the last piece for me, so I’m beyond excited with this swing! Yes, definitely try the HACKMOTION out, I find the feedback to be huge while implementing these changes as it gives me real time results without hitting a ball and analyzing video! Just wanna say how great it is to have you helping us every step Of the way here! Seriously appreciated!
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
Thanks! Let me know how your backswing begins to look after giving this a shot
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
Thanks Steve, this makes it very clear in my mind what you need to do in the backswing and I don't know how it could get any simpler! As I mentioned, you can feel more right over left going back, but the issues are what I discussed. As long as you keep your width, focusing on feel the right is perfectly fine as well.
February 7, 2024
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Scott
Chuck, I really appreciate this video. I think this is exactly what I was doing wrong. The new camera angle really helps show what I should be doing, Thanks
February 7, 2024
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Chuck
You're welcome! This came out of watching some student do the movements and what typical mistakes they make. Once you follow this backswing plan, it's kind of hard to screw up from there.
February 7, 2024

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