GOLF: How To Stay Centered During The Backswing

How To Stay Centered During the Backswing

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My swing philosophies are based on just watching the best players for a long period of time. When I first started analyzing swings I would do the old draw the circle around their head from face on and see where they would go relative to that circle. If you go back and watch great players throughout time, certainly some guys stay right in that circle. Some guys move off the circle a little bit more. I prefer a swing model where if you draw the circle around their head they remain relatively stable or a centered pivot.

You have to realize that when you're watching video, you see things two dimensionally. In reality, the movement pattern is three-dimensional. Andy Plumber and Mike Bennett from Stack and Tilt really popularized some of the terms and the three dimensional movements during the backswing. When you make a backswing in reality you turn to the right, there's some amount of rotation, you are tilting to the left, and then you are extending.

If you start normal – or centered at set up - and you make a movement to the right or your head moves outside of that “circle,” you are bent over too much from the top as you turn. You don't have enough of the extension piece and typically not enough side bend. When you move off the ball, it’s typically forward flex. And a lot of times you guys and gals will pair that up with a very flat shoulder turn. The forward flexion is the part we have to get rid of.

One of the best drills that I have seen is to put a club across your shoulders. If I were to take my normal setup and I put the club across my shoulders when I make a backswing, I want to have the club point basically on the ball target line. This is more so for the left side bend part than the movement, but you'll start to feel how that side bend goes in with your extension.

Maybe the best drill I've ever seen for keeping a steady head and eliminating the movement off the ball came from George Gankas. The sun's got to be out for this shadow drill to work. Stand so the sun casts your shadow in front of you. Take a normal setup. You put a golf ball just below top of your head in the shadow. I put it right in the middle, meaning there's an equal distance of the shadow to the left and an equal distance to the right. Now, when I make a pivot and I go up to the top, I want to keep that ball basically in the same spot as I go. So for me, that's right in the middle. But for you, you might feel a drastic difference. You definitely can’t B.S. this drill.

Now, let’s go over some feels you can use. There is no right or wrong feel. Whatever produces the movement for you - If it produces what we want, then that's good. If you're someone who moves off the ball too much, the first thing that I would tell you to feel is more chest towards the sky. Some people like to feel a little bit more of a right shoulder, up and back. So, if I move off the ball, my right shoulder doesn't really. If I stay more centered, I can feel my right shoulder going up and behind me right off the bat. There's no movement to the right. Right shoulder goes up and back for me. I feel the chest go up towards the sky no matter what I do, so that's my main feel, but right shoulder, up and back as a secondary way to do this.

If you move off the ball, typically your left shoulder is traveling to the right too much and usually too flat when you go back. So my right shoulder goes up and back. My left shoulder goes down and forward. But I'm saying if you move off the ball, you probably have too much of the forward motion, so you want to have a sensation to add the left side. Then like your left shoulder's going almost down more down towards your left shoe.

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[gilderoy]

The ‘chest to sky’ feel has really helped me to find a repeatable and more centred swing. Spent (wasted?) so much time on other drills from other online coaches—this one is fundamentally and positively effective—with added bonus of immediate feedback leading to consistency! This has revolutionised my swing and allowed enjoyment to once again return to my game!

[bryans]

I had already started working on this when I found this video. My thought was to keep my right shoulder inside my right foot throughout the backswing. If you move off the ball the first thing to happen is that right shoulder goes outside and around that right foot. I look forward to trying the shadow drill. Thanks!

[jimthomas]

Shadow drill is one of the simplest effective drills ever. Thanks!

[VimMitt]

Best of best. My handicap start coming down after watching your videos.

[johnfeilmeier]

Best instructor on YouTube! Chest to sky and keeping your head centered is critical to consistent ball striking. One extra thing I found helpful, from the top, swing out to right field in follow through.

[raybenkart]

this guy is the best ever at explaining things. every one of his videos are clear and concise. only wish could have the same content 30 yrs. ago before all my faults were ingrained

[percylang]

Eric...I have had lateral movement problems for more than 70 years...even when I was low single figures. Starting to play again after lock-down I've been struggling again and looking on line for a solution. Your explanation of the mechanics of the problem is by far the most lucid and helpful that I've found...particularly the 3-dimensional element. Thanks for an excellent insight. Percy.

[drewesalan]

Thank you. I'm new to golf and you provided a very good practice exercise.

[garywheeler]

Great video. I’m finding with a longer backswing and staying more centred, has got me my power back. Although my weight does feel more on the inside of my left foot, having said this, I feel very coiled and feel confident rotating through. Unfortunately Eric, I live in England, so the shadow drill is often a no no . Keep up the great videos.
Best wishes Gary.

[MrKingdonuts]

You remind me of of Dj kahled when he says another one and another one lol your teaching style and videos are the best online by far you break down the golfswing and simplify the swing in small pieces where people can understand and not give a general answer you sir are Platinum in my book thanks Eric

[conureron]

Love the explanation of tilt and extension with the turn. Revolutionary.

For me, your best yet Eric! Within minutes of applying the drills I was getting very satisfying contact and added distance. Many thanks. Tim UK

[brotherderek]

I like the way you address different important components of the golf swing in a simple way. Well done!

[Mark-mmke]

Hi Eric. Just went out side and did the shadow drill. I found I indeed moved right off the ball. Used the combination of extension of the thoracic spine, using the thought 'keep bent but chest higher' and left shoulder to the left foot and that worked great to keep me centered. So once again, a video with with great tips. Good job! Love it. Thanks for all you do for us amateurs struggling with the golf swing.

[Oh-Hi-]

I’ve gained a lot by this video. Greatly appreciate your content. You are at the top of my golf subscriber list.

[Davidevans]

Great instruction Eric. I feel many of your vids are aimed at better players or people who are nerdy about the inner workings of technique and fundamentals of the swing. As a low handicapper all my life (5 and below), almost 50 years of golf, I find them really helpful and your style is nice to work with. I like these long vids (12 mins) as they keep me company on the drive home from work. Keep it up.

[douglasbenson]

This is gold. Nailed it Eric. And explained why it feels weird when I'm so used to moving off the ball for so long. Finding the sweet spot again is savage. Thank you👍

[trxe]

love the shadow drill, you can probably use that as a check mid-round too if the sun is out. Putting that one in the bag!

[hannodingers]

Hi Eric,
I Follow you from Germany for several weeks. There are a lot of amazing and helpful hints Given by you. It changed my Game totally. This Video is One of the best ever from my prospective. I still struggle with stack & Tilt on a slope. Can you Give any instructions?
Thank you very much!

[chucksprenger]

You are a very good instructor, I'm a PGA member and I'm very impressed Well Done