Don't Lift Up When You Go Back!

In your effort to regain some of the distance you've lost, you might be lifting the club up sharply on the backswing, which can feel more powerful. It's not. When you lift up on the backswing, you have to lower the club by an aqual amount ojn the downswing. That's a recipe for inconsistent contact. The lift is also unnecessary, because the turning and tilting of your body is all you need to sset the club in position to swing down with power.

Extend your arms to start

A lift forms pretty quickly, usually in the first few feet of the swing. If your wrists are almost fully hinged by the time your hands reach your right hip (left hip for left handers), you've lifted the club too abruptly (before your shoulder and hips have started to turn). This leads to a steep downswing, and most often a slice.

Your arms should extend back on the takeaway as far as is comfortable for you. Ideally, the club will be just short of parallel to the ground when your hands reach the right hip (left hip). This lets the rotation of your upper body and the folding of your right (left) elbownaturally elevate the club to the top.

Hold your posture at the top.

Another sign of lifting is straightening your posture as the club nears the top of your swing. This happens because the steep backswing plane of a lift blocks the shoulders and upper body from turning so you have no choice but to stand up straighter to complete your turn. Make sure your knee flex and forward tilt remain stable throughout your backswing. If you can keep them constant, then you've limited your lifting.