How to Fix an Inside Takeaway

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This one simple trick will fix an inside takeaway instantly, I guarantee it!


    If your takeaway starts off on the wrong foot, the rest of your golf swing has very little chance of being nothing more than a big bucket of compensations. The great thing is, getting the takeaway right, especially with Rotary Swing, is the simplest move in all of golf. However, I still see my students mess it up all the time 'cause the miss a couple really simple but absolutely critical details I'm gonna cover with you right now. 
                    I'm gonna give you one awesome, super simple trick that'll make your takeaway keeping the club from going inside and under the plane a thing of the past. You'll never struggle with this again. Let me show you what I'm talking about. I'm gonna give you one simple trick here.
                    My favorite clue with the golf swing when I see somebody start messing up and I start seeing this step happening, as soon as I see this, I know what's going on and how simple it is to fix it. But as soon as you start taking the club back in like this, if this looks like you, you're going a little inside under the swing plane, high handicaps, then you get across the line at the top, and then come over, lower handicaps, then you get really stuck and come under from the inside.
                    How do we fix this? All I want you to do is take your right hand, if you're a right-handed golfer, and take your thumb and push it onto the crease of your left wrist. When you look at this, when you set up at address, everybody's wrist is gonna have a little bit of cupping, their left wrist at address, because of the nature of the grip.
                    Now, what people tend to do is they lose this cupping and flatten out their wrist way too early in the swing. Now, yes, this does need to flatten out gradually throughout the entire golf swing so that by the time you get to the top, this is nice and flat. But what happens is people do this right away. This flattens out the wrist. What they're doing is taking the right wrist, which is already in a flat position, and hinging it 'cause this feels really awesome. It feels powerful.
                    But all you're doing is shutting the club face and taking it back inside. By the time you get to the top, you're gonna have a really hooded club face, and then you're gonna have, again, this big bucket of compensations that we don't need in the golf swing. Let's make this really simple. Keep that left wrist cupped naturally throughout the takeaway. Now, yes, it is gonna start to flatten a little bit. But what happens is people flatten it out too much too soon.
                    Let's take a look at what this is gonna look like. I'm gonna take my right thumb, put it on this crease in between my forearm bones and my hand, and all I'm gonna do as I take the club back is keep pushing on that. That makes the wrist bend and stay in this position. Now as I do this, notice how the club, and I'll scoot back a little bit so you can see the club, club goes up on plane. Notice how it stays outside my hands. How would the club ever go inside my hand during the takeaway with my thumb pushing on this crease on my wrist?
                    Notice how the club stays outside. Easy peasy. Now the takeaway, getting the club to go up on plane, and it's simple. Just take your right thumb, push it on your left wrist, rotate your body back, keep that club nice and outside your hands, struggle with the takeaway no more. Tip from RotarySwing.com.

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Erik
Hello, I didn't know where to post this, but since I was working on this drill I'll try here. I tried FAQ too, but I cant find a link that works or tells me where to position the camera for recording.
July 19, 2021
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Erik. Waist high inline with the sternum (Face On). Same height inline/or just in front of the hands from (Down the Line).
July 20, 2021
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Erik
Cool. Thanks!
July 20, 2021
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Lee
Hi guys, I've just gone back to my usual bad habit of getting stuck on the downswing. After getting my daughter to video me on the range this morning I can see that it is causing me to lose my posture because I feel I have nowhere else to go which makes me duck hook the ball. I have been told to keep the right arm straight in the backswing but am very frustrated as I thought I was getting better until a couple of weeks ago. I hook every club in the bag, the driver is the straightest and wedges are the worst. This adds 20+ shots on to my score. I can see that the club head is closed at the top and at impact and also I am going past parallel.
July 17, 2021
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Manny (Certified RST Instructor)
From your last video submission.
July 18, 2021
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Manny (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lee... As I indicated in the last review, your main issues are associated with how you get to the Top of the Back Swing. Focusing on fixing these take away issues would lead to fixing the getting stuck on the Down Swing and or other swing related issues. Keeping the right arm straight was just one area recommended, as well as; Taking the club inside, REF (Rotation, Elevation,& Flexion), Fixing Reverse Pivot, Breaking Left Elbow at the Top, etc... Would love to take another look at your most current videos and see if you have progressed, with emphasis on the hooking of shots.
July 18, 2021
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Kevin
Hi Craig - I keep checking my arms in the takeaway with a line drawn at setup just outside my right hand from the chin. When I look at other model swings they more of a “hands in and clubhead outside” the hands look. Including a chucks five minutes to rotation - when I do that that I end up taking the club away much more closer though but I have to imagine the arms coming off my body in the takeaway and forearms rolling into a flat position isn’t a good look
December 10, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. May be the tiniest bit pushed out. But, not by much. You have to have some elevation in the takeaway.
December 11, 2020
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Kevin
I agree with you, when I try and keep the hands closer to my body the face is really shut and low but compared to Chuck I look off.
December 11, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. Chuck's camera angle is different.
December 11, 2020
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Manny (Certified RST Instructor)
Here is a snap shot after applying Chuck's quick fix...
June 21, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Manny. 100% better. Cleaner and less variables in this takeaway.
June 22, 2020
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Manny (Certified RST Instructor)
Craig... It took reviewing your recent comments and recommendations several times, writing them down on my chalkboard, and watching this recommended video multiple times, to get what you are talking about. I simply did not know that I was to be working on fixing my inside takeaway, when you kept mentioning the left wrist action as I initiated the takeaway. Once I used Chuck little trick, thumb of right hand on the crease of my left hand wrist; the light came on. see 1st snap shot then fix
June 21, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Manny. Yes. That is what I was talking about. Pushing the lead wrist out to initiate swinging motion of the club.
June 22, 2020
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Manny (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Craig... I am a bit confused once again. I'll just say what I;m struggling with. What you recommend to focus on in the reviews, do not follow very closely with the recommended videos. You have mentioned my takeaway going to far out, but I do not see where Chuck covers that. You mention I should focus on small one hand only drills no ball, then ball, but the recommended videos do not show Chuck doing what your wanting me to work on. I went through the Boot Camp... feeling the same way... confused and frustrated!
June 20, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Manny. What we are concentrating on is the last session of Bootcamp. Release drills starting small with the 9 to 3. Sorry for confusion and frustration. I will make sure you know the exactly what I am looking for.
June 22, 2020
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Tom
When I use my Live View camera where should I draw my lines for takeaway and down swing. Thanks, Tom
May 12, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tom. We use the elbow plane line. A line from the heel through the back of the trail elbow. It should be on that most of the way back until you hit the elevation point and return back to that line. I would suggest a swing review and ask the instructor. He can show you all the lines needed and where to place.
May 12, 2020
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Tom
Craig , Should I use the video on my phone or should I use the technique app or coach now. Thanks again! Tom
May 12, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
All three perfectly fine. Video from phone is good if you don't feel like fussing with the apps.
May 12, 2020
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Tom
Thanks Craig. Hope to get that done this weekend. Weather should improve here in the Philadelphia area.
May 12, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Great!
May 12, 2020
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Kevin
Left arm only - right added at the top for support - looks perfect to slightly steep with the left arm. Trying to understand what is causing the right arm to get deep in my normal swing?
April 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. When adding the trail arm you tend to push it out of the way with the lead. I would do a lot of lead arm only with just the very tip tip of the trail fingers added at setup.
April 27, 2020
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Kevin
Top of swing for photo below - right arm deep
April 26, 2020
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. See below. A little straightening of trail leg, but its the lead arm push early.
April 27, 2020
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James
how does this correlate with a forward press, or lets say, a more aggressive forward press to start the swing. Furthermore, what do you guys advocate to start the scapular retraction? right knee kick in?? a forward press?? all of this?? and can one do this drill with a forward press?? Thank you
November 3, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. You want to shy away from adding forward press. Take a look at Should You Have a Forward Press at Setup Video. You will tend to add too much hands going back in the takeaway and it hurts the chance to have a dynamic impact position. We prefer using weight shift as a trigger to help start the swing, but primarily feeling the obliques/core to start back. Take a look at My Golf Backswing Secrets and 5 Minutes to Master Rotation Videos.
November 3, 2019
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James
okay, cool. does starting the takeaway and weight shift go hand in hand. in the book, i thought Chuck wanted one to start with rotating the body, and then weight shift. However, they happen so fast, it almost seems together. i just wonder if there is a preference. Thank You.
November 3, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. You can start with weight shift, or rotation. The sequence doesn't matter much in the backswing. Some players already shift weight going back and solely feel rotation to not move in excess off the ball. Others need that healthy reminder to load the trail glute and shifting weight first is a good trigger.
November 3, 2019
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Eric
Should the takeaway start from the weight shift or the shoulder glide? I am always fighting my hands and arms wanting control and a movement with weight shift to the right and then the shoulder blade glide takes over aroud 8:00 to 9:00 to get to the right spot at the top seems to work well, as long as the glide doesn’t tense my right shoulder too much. Is this correct?
August 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Eric. Perfectly acceptable to start with weight shift and then glide. Take a look at My Golf Backswing Secrets Video.
August 11, 2019
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Dan
Quick question on elevation: is it an actual lifting of the arms? Or is it a pushing of the arms away from the body (without pushing them *across* the body)? Maybe I’m describing actively keeping the arms “wide”, which is just keeping them further out in front of the chest, in reality. Does that make sense? And is it correct?
June 15, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dan. You aren't trying to create width by extending the arms further out. You are raising the arms to keep them in front of the chest. Your width will be governed by your trail arm.
June 16, 2019
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Dan
I guess I'm talking about the lifting of the arms. If the goal is to keep the right arm straight until the top of the swing (or the feeling thereof), then is it not accompanied by a feeling of the right arm pushing the hands away from (in front of) the body as you turn? I've suffered from a very deep backswing for years. I've watched every video and done every RST drill thousands of times to absolutely no avail. I can do the drills for Move 1 and Move 2, no problem. Zero thought. But in the context of the swing, I get too deep. I suppose I struggle to blend the two Moves with the turn. (Side note, there is no video that really helps with that concept on the site. There is the drill of doing Move 1 into Move 2 in front of the body and *then* turning-- but no drill anywhere that helps to blend those moves *while* turning. I wish that video existed.)
June 16, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dan. Feel can be too subjective though. For some it may feel like you are pushing the hands out. But, if you actually start pushing the hands out you will tend to protract the shoulders and start rounding in the spine. Which in turn will hurt rotation and connection to the box. Take a look at the 4 Square Drill and Pool Noodle Drill. Don't over think the concept. Arms move vertically and body moves horizontally. You have to get used to your arms feeling very upright from the start.
June 17, 2019
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Dan
What about a "significant" lift? Is that part of the right feeling? I know the arms don't lift all that much (six inches or less) to get the elbows to the base of the pecs but then when you add the right arm flexion, I think that might *feel* like more a lift. What about that?
June 17, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dan. Elevation sometimes feels very vertical. That would make more sense. And, trail elbow flexion creates even more height.
June 17, 2019
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Nolan
What move leads to the lead wrist becoming flat at the top? I feel like when I do this during the takeaway, it’s harder for me to get my left wrist flat at the top (I feel like I’m trying to manipulate my wrists too much, which I hate!)
March 2, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Nolan. The lead wrist will gradually lose cupping as you go from the ball to the top. The rotation from the lead shoulder socket and slight hinge back of the trail wrist will allow for this flattening. Take a look at Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing, Cupped Left Wrist, and Wrist Cock vs Wrist Hinge Video.
March 2, 2019
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Lyndon
Question or should I say clarification. I understand the takeaway and trying to keep in box 2 however if I keep rotating my torso, the club get some depth and is in box 3. I remember Chuck mentioning in a video that it will feel like everything is in box 2. I was working on that last night and was hooking the ball in my 9-3 drill. As I worked the takeaway, I did get very little elevation but it just feels like I’m coming across the ball and hooking by not getting any depth at all. When looking at Chucks 9-3 drill, it looked like from the front he got a little depth...just a hair. Are you not suppose to get any depth at all???? I’m a little confused bc when I go straight back and now my wrist a little, it’s easier to roll my wrist.
February 11, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lyndon. In the takeaway. the arms/club will stay pretty much in front of the sternum due to the slight elevation. Until the trail arm folds and the hands cross centerline you shouldn't see depth. I would think that because you are used to having the arms in front. When transitioning you are adding too much shoulders/arms instead of letting the lower half lead the way.
February 11, 2019
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Chad
ok so I've been struggling with an inside take away for a long time, this is a great drill, but when I do it, my face is still closed at the top? It feels more closed actually and I'm closed at impact. Any suggestions. Thanks
January 29, 2019
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Chad. You need to allow for a little gradual face rotation. The club is always rotating. Use a combination of the 4 Square Drill, Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing and Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing. All will help keep the club in front with the gradual rotation required from Takeaway to the Top. Side note: Check your right wrist as well. Right Wrist in Takeaway Video.
January 29, 2019
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Michael
Any videos that explain how to get the club up on plane after the takeaway is completed? Once I get my club in the takeaway position, the next move to get the club to the top in a perfect position just doesn't seem real clear.
June 1, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. After the takeaway position you continue to add a little elevation and some slight trail elbow flexion. This allows the lead arm to rotate from the shoulder socket properly to help set the plane. The goal is to try and keep the trail elbow in front and not overly roll the hands. You could use the 4 Square Drill as a guide if rolling too inside. Making sure your club head doesn't break the box. Also, Creating a Swing Plane and Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing. Side note: in the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Backswing. You will see the goal is to not swing the arms across the chest. But, make a big body turn and small arm swing. You need to use the arms less.
June 1, 2018
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Bob
I have struggled with an inside takeaway for some time now. I assume the problem with an inside takeaway is too flat a swing plane. Is that right? I've found that if I feel like I'm swinging the club over my right ear that I amon a better plane. Video shows the swing plane is closer to over my right shoulder when I do this. Is this what you are looking for? Thanks.
April 5, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bob. Typically, too flat a swing plane. But, some players make an over correction back onto and across plane as well. Yes, you should end up over your trail shoulder. Take a look at the 4 Square Drill.
April 5, 2018
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Hector
a couple of questions, in the takeway my hands are basically pointing to my toe line , during the takeway my hands will continue in the toe line ? outside or inside ? second in downswing , a good feeling is to pull my left wrist and grip towards my right hip, keeping my right shoulder quiet ? and also my hands should follow the toe line in the downswing ? what about my left elbow? until what part in the downswing the elbow will be pointing towards the toe line or target line ? I feel I have to save the release always, it is not natural and basically my right side is off , I'm not using my right side for anything . help please
February 11, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Hector. The hands will be around the outside edge of the toe line. Shifting your weight while keeping the shoulders passive allowing the lead arm to be pulled into the trail hip position would be better (Step 3 - Add the Lead Arm). I wouldn't think much about the toe line coming down, but they will still be right around the edge. Halfway down the elbow will be pointing down the target line. If you feel like you are having to save it you could be pulling too much and flipping at the last second. Allow for gradual wrist rotation and better path (Flip vs Release and Trace the Plane).
February 12, 2018
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BRIAN
I am Just curious if you recommend a set amount of reps in practicing this drill as you do with other drills. Thanks!
January 24, 2018
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Chuck (Certified RST Instructor)
Brian, please go back and watch the videos on how the brain learns, that will answer your question.
January 24, 2018

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