Golf Takeaway Drills & Tips – Start Off Right

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The takeaway is the first part of the backswing that starts from address. Like the address, the backswing and the downswing, it’s an essential component of the golf swing.

You will likely find little to no success or consistency if you don’t put yourself in the proper positions with the correct takeaway. Often times, just adjusting your takeaway and then making the same swing can do wonders for your game.

If you feel that your takeaway could use some adjustment, here are some takeaway drills and tips that will hopefully help you out.

1. The “Wrist Cup” Drill

This drill is best for golfers who struggle with an inside takeaway and want a swing that is more on-plane.

The Procedure

Set up over the ball as normal and observe a slight cup in your left wrist (or right wrist for a left-handed golfer). This is a position you want at address.

Now focus on maintaining that cup in your wrist throughout your takeaway, all while using your core and torso to rotate. The left wrist will gradually flatten out as you get to the top of the backswing.

The Goal

What this drill does is help you keep your club on plane in the backswing and therefore allow for straighter and more consistent shots.

If you do this drill enough, the maneuver will start to feel natural and your swing will consistently be on plane.

See the demonstration of this below from golf instructor Clay Ballard:

2. The “One-Piece” Takeaway

This drill is for golfers who tend to have an inside or outside takeaway and want a more on-plane swing.

The Procedure

Set up over the ball as normal, with a mirror about 15 feet away and perpendicular to the target line.

When making your backswing, focus on “winding” your left shoulder (or right for a left-handed golfer) around and under your chin.

With this in mind, take the club back until you reach roughly the halfway point, and look in the mirror while holding this position.

The Goal

A swing that is on plane should see your clubhead blocking the view of your hands. If you don’t see this, your takeaway is either too far inside or outside.

Performing this drill will help you develop the feeling for taking the club away on plane and hence allow you to be more consistent.

See PGA pro Pete Styles demonstrate this drill:

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Conclusion

Give these drills a try — they might help you more than you think! Remember to have a good posture, and try to get the club shaft parallel to the toe line halfway into the backswing.

If you want more than just drills, check this out. This will help you achieve the ideal golf body, putting you in prime position to get grooved into the perfect takeaway and swing plane so you hit the ball longer, straighter, and more consistently than ever:

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Thanks for reading. Are you struggling with the takeaway in your swing? Feel free to drop any questions or feedback in the comment section below.