Whether your game feels completely lost or just a little inconsistent, sometimes a strong swing thought can make a big difference.
This is what I have used in the past and I think it is something that many amateur players should consider.
You might call it “setup” in the golf swing, but the simple thought is this:
Hold the golf club more in front of you during the backswing.
I’ll explain what this means, why it can help you, and give you a simple workout to try at the range this afternoon.
Error this can help fix
Many amateur players disconnect early in the move without realizing it.
The club is pulled too far behind the body, the lead arm gets stuck in the chest, and the downswing becomes a recovery mission.
That’s when you start to see:
- steep swings
- overhead movements
- blocks and hooks
- unstable contact
Many golfers think they need more shallow or more downswing delay, but often the issue started much earlier in the swing. If not addressed, you will continue to work on the same crash issues without ever addressing the cause of the problem.
The simple feeling that can make golf easier
It is important to understand from the beginning that holding arms VS. your breasts and holding them attached to your breasts are not the same.
You want the arms and chest to work together while still maintaining a little space between the lead arm and chest during the backswing.
Good players tend to create width early. Amateur players often knock everything inside out very quickly.
Here’s what this feeling of holding the club in front of you is really trying to do:
- Keep the club from locking too early behind you
- Help the body and arms move together
- Create a more organized turnaround
- Reduce the need for down payment
- Make the contact more stable
You do NOT need to think about plane swing angles or positions to make this work. For most golfers, it’s simply about creating width without letting the club disappear behind them.
How to achieve it
One of the easiest ways to feel this is to imagine your chest and arms moving together for the first part of the swing.
Instead of immediately swinging the club behind you or lifting it up with your hands and arms, let your body turn to help drive the club back.
You should feel the width in the swing.
If your lead arm is immediately clamped tight to your chest, chances are the club will be too far behind you too early.
A simple exercise to try
One of my favorite drills for this is a drill with Coach Lockey and I’m going to throw the full video up here for you to watch because it’s a really simple way to get the feel.
Take your hand and make your mark:
- your pinky next to your lead elbow
- thumb near the center of the chest
Now do slow practice turns while maintaining that space between your lead arm and chest.
The goal is not to create a large gap. You just want enough room so that the arms stay in front of the body instead of immediately collapsing inwards.
You should feel:
- width at back bend
- chest and arms move together
- less “winding” of the club behind you
Start slow, take a few tries and then hit a few shots trying to recreate the same feeling.
Who can this help?
Not every thought or rhythm training is for YOUR game. I would most likely recommend this concept if you have any of the issues below.
| If you tend to… | This feeling can help from |
|---|---|
| Pull or cut the ball | Keeping the club more organized early on, getting yourself in the right position during the transition |
| Feeling “stuck” in transition | Preventing the club from jamming behind you |
| Hit unstable iron shots | Improving feed structure so you can repeat under pressure |
| Swing your hands too hard | Encouraging better body movement from the start of the swing |
| Fight oblique contact | To help the club work more naturally in the transition |
Final thoughts
Holding the club in front of you during the backswing can be a really effective thought, as long as you understand what feeling you’re trying to achieve. Try this on the range and see if it helps your swing feel a little more organized and repeatable.
