backswing, and lag

[tn-golfnut-from-nj]

I believe, that one of the main reasons my iron play has improved so much, is because of my shorter backswing/takeaway.

Also, another reason is, because of my lagtime that I've been working on so much, is much improved.

I also believe, that for me these two things go hand in hand.

I noticed that when I take the club back too far, my swingplane gets out of whack, and my wrist breaks down.
Therefore, by the time I correct my wrist on the downswing, it is usually too late to get back on plane, and make the rest of the swing correctly.

If I do hit a solid shot with the backswing so far up, it does not really go any further, then with my compact swing anyway.

Also I am much more accurate with my compact swing.

[twofast2s]

very true.

one top of that, i had to slow down my swing initially so i can swing w/ my body instead of my upperbody. after i started releasing the club w/ my hip/body, controlling trajectory has gotten easier because all i have to "manipulate" was my finish. i'm still experimenting w/ it. especially w/ pitch shots.

[tn-golfnut-from-nj]

Pitching this way is also more accurate and consistant for me.
When I make the correct swing, that will results in a nice smooth follow through, and not a stabbing kind of thing.

I am much less worried about blading pitch shots now.
If I do blade them, at least now I know where I went wrong, and can correct it the next time.

[SilverUberXeno]

Curious- when you're talking about wrist breakdown, I have this to ask...

Do you let your wrist/forearm angle break down past 90*? Or do you hold this right angle? I seem to be whipping the clubhead through like crazy lately, resulting in bollocks. I'm also told I go a lot past parallel.

[tn-golfnut-from-nj]

When I try to go past 90*, my left elbow starts to bend, and I feel my wrist ( how should I say this) getting loose, over cocking.
Its hard to explain the feeling, but that is when I know, I went over the line, and out of plane.

I dont have an athletic body, so I have to stop the backswing at 90*.
Once I realized that, my swings are much more consistant, and I make much better contact.

I really should do a swing vid.

[Eracer]

No doubt about it. When I shorten my backswing and keep my tempo, it creates much better shots. I have to guard against rushing my downswing. Sometimes the lizard brain gets feeling left out and I make a fast-twitch lunge at the ball. Kind of a "Moe Norman" look. But if I trust that the short swing will produce plenty of power (and I'm usually surprised that it produces more power) then all is good. Funny how the literature has shied away from the idea that a straight left arm is good, when a straight left arm means better swings. The fact is, you don't have to keep your left arm straight, but it sure helps to think you are.

I've been working on increasing my lag as well. Letely, I've been feeling my right elbow leading the downswing. Seems to be working. Again, there's a lizard brain issue there: When I feel the right elbow leading into the hip, part of the brain sometimes panics, thinking that the clubhead won't get back to ball. But if I trust it, and maintain a good tempo, then physics steps in and makes everything happy.

[tn-golfnut-from-nj]

But if I trust that the short swing will produce plenty of power (and I'm usually surprised that it produces more power) then all is good.

You are right. The way I stumbled upon this, was while doing the drill for increased lag(someone posted this for me a while ago, when I was asking about lag).

I was doing this drill, and just out of curiosity, I hit a ball from a "stand still", meaning start my downswing just before I uncocked my wrist.

I was amazed how far the ball went, and how nice the club made contact.

I did this a few more times, then I started to make more of a backswing, little by little.

I took it back further each time, untill I found my maximum backswing.
I practiced this with all my irons, and to my surprise, the long irons were just as easy to hit, as the short ones.

I'm just thrilled , that I can pull out a 3 iron, or tee up a 2 iron without having that "I'm gonna fugg this shot up for sure" feeling.

Doesn't mean that I dont mess up shots, but its less frequent, and I know what I did wrong, when I do mess up.

[mont86]

Short back swing with the driver?