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Trying to perfect your golf backswing? Surprisingly, one of the best things you can do is forget what probably heard a millions times... to keep your head still... and, instead, purposely move your head a little on the way back. Moving your head on the way back is one of the best golf backswing fundamentals you can learn. Why move your head as you take the club back during the golf backswing? You want to move your head because in order to backswing in a circular motion you need an axis to swing around. An axis has a top and a bottom. When you set up to the golf ball, you have 1 top to an axis (your head) and 2 bottoms (your legs and feet) to an axis. Basically, your head should lead the way by moving 5-7 inches to the right as you start your golf backswing. Swing your head to the right, stay in that position as you come down, and move yoru head forward only after the ball has been hit. Watch any touring pro closely and you'll notice moving your head is the proper golf backswing technique. In fact, if a ballerina or figure skater didn't move their head first, they would be unable to start their spin at all. Likewise with your backswing. Don't move your head and you never create the two-point axis needed to get proper a proper circular motion. So what you have is a floating top to an axis. Your head floats back and forth to create 2 axis when you swing. This allows your golf backswing be a circular motion. It's not a perfect circle though. It's a slight oval. Because your swing is a slight oval, you will never hit the ball 100% perfect. The only time you would keep your head still during a golf backswing is if you had one leg. If you had one leg, you would have 1 top and 1 bottom to an axis. This means that if you moved your head you would destroy this axis. So maybe we should all be playing standing on one leg and keeping our head still? Unfortunately, this will never work because you will not generate enough power and you will probably fall over. Most people have enough trouble keeping their balance with 2 legs never mind 1 so it's best that you keep both legs on the ground and learn to move your head. The challenge most golfers have when learning this proper golf backswing technique is feels uncomfortable. It just doesn't feel natural to move your head back. First, consciously think about moving your head at least a full 12 inches to the right at the start of the golf backswing. By mentally picturing your head moving a full foot to the right your head will actually move only 4-6 inches. If you continue to have challenges, practice your back swing in front of a mirrow and watch to make sure you move your head. It will feel unnatural at first but work through it. Moving your head is the key to setting up a proper golf backswing. Swing towards the mirror and watch your head. Using a mirror for feedback, you can notice if you are moving your head or holding it still. Try it both ways. Now notice how your weight shifts and loads to your right leg as you move your head when you start the golf backswing. Do you feel it? If so, know that you have just created the top axis - a fundamental requirement to create the golf backswing. In fact, the only way to effectively load your right leg is to move your head to the right as you swing back. Don't move your head and you'll lose power. Another technique you can use to practice your backswing is to wear a hat. Then as you start your swing, check to see if you keep the brim or bill of the hat level to the ground. If so, this means you ARE moving your head. When you notice the brim of your hat tilting to the left, you'll know you didn't move your head and didn't create the first backswing axis. Use a friend, video camera or mirror for feedback. Constantly remind yourself to move your head back as you start a golf backswing. Feel the power shift to your right leg, and notice the almost effortless circular motion on the way down. Think twelve inches and settle for five or six. Set up the first axis point and you'll shave points off your score! One of the dangers of moving your head back as you swing will be the tendency to hit the ball short and fat. Don't sweat it. This is a good thing because it let's you know you are moving your head properly. The key is simply to realize you are now shifting too much weight to your right leg and pull a little off at impact. Try it. Move your head to the right at the start of your backswing, hold and drop at impact, shift some power off your right foot through impact into the follow through.
Article Source: http://www.bodyformind.com/db
About the author: Get more Paul Wilson, a Broadmore Golf Academy Instructor, golf swing tips at MyGolfProShop.com. This and other unique content golf backswing articles are available with free reprint rights.
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