How many left knuckles do you see?

On your backswing and your hands are around your shoulder/neck height, how many knuckles do you see? I think I may have been fanning my club way too much...

Hi Simon,

I'd be interested in a comment from the pros / low handicappers on this because I'm not a particularly accomplished golfer (and maybe this is why), but it would never have occured to me to consider my knuckles at the top of the backswing.

I used to have loads of golf tips sites bookmarked - for all the good they did me - now I just come here because its enjoyable "talking" to different people.

In fact for a little while I've been much more concerned with "just" controlling my swing tempo and swing length consistently rather than worrying about any technicalities (other than setup / grip).

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Thanks for your reply bdbl Actually I was referring to more like halfway back rather than the top of my swing, just realise the other day how much I was rotating my left arm so that halfway back if I turn my head back to look at my hands, I can actually see the whole back of my left palm, ie. all knuckles can be seen. I was just wondering if this is a gross error in my backswing :O

Should be toe up half way back, dependent on your grip knuckles will vary. Here is good little drill, on take away half way back, club parallel to ground, you should be able to turn 90 degrees, (whole body, feet and all) without moving the club position you set, now drop the club to the ground, you should be pretty much in the same position you were at address, this is what is meant by clubface remaining square on takeaway and a one piece takeaway.

If you are rolling your hands or shuting the face or laying the club off during takeaway, you will see this immediately when you turn 90 degrees and drop the club, it will be way, way off from the address position. This is just a drill and check point, obviously you can't hit balls this way

That makes more sense as a position to check - though you did say your hands were at neck height which is quite near the top for me

I think my point is still valid though.

From reading your posts I sense that you are quite a "technical" golfer so for a change why not try a few months not thinking about cupping, cocking, fanning, lagging etc and just swing thinking about a tick - tock, one - two tempo, or whatever suits you best.

Heh you are absolutely right there. I was indeed wondering how I should best describe the position I was referring to.

Spot on there too. I've been trying so hard to get that 'perfect swing' that I've totally forgotten how to swing naturally. The funny thing is that I just realised this : when I started out, I was hitting my 7i like 90yds. After all the technical study etc, I am now hitting it about 120-130yds. The funny (or sad, depending how you see it heheh) is that no matter how I swing now, I am still getting 120-130yds, albeit pretty accurately.

What's left for me to do? I'm getting 175yds with my 4 wood, but also the same distance with my driver! I guess my quest all this while was basically to get enough average distance with my clubs so that I can hit GIR and get a decent game. Does that make sense? :P

There are many many people on here better qualified to help you than I but perhaps the example of another high handicapper [me] might help.

When I am tensed up, over analytical, thinking of technique and trying to hit the ball I struggle to hit a 6 iron 150 yards in total.

When I relax and just think rhythm or tempo I can carry a 7 iron around 160.

That's not super long I know and some more accuracy would help!

Also I can't do it consistently yet, after only few months trying this the old me still surfaces, nevertheless the difference in the two examples is significant.

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I firmly believe that we should try to experience all that life affords, except, perhaps, bestiality and of course Morris Dancing.