“Move Away”

The “move away” is the first move in your backswing.  This move should be one where the chest, shoulders, arms, hands, and club all move together in one unit.  Many problems can happen early on during the backswing. One fault is picking the club up.  Picking the club up is using the hands excessively in the process of moving the club away from the ball.  Think of your arms and shoulders as forming a triangle.  Then, try to make a smooth move away.  Focus on turning this triangle back with your chest and belly button.  Moving the chest, shoulders, arms, hands and the club away together as a unit will start the clubhead away low.

Club in Belly Drill:  One easy way to get the feeling of the correct move away is the club in belly drill.  Stick the grip end of the club in your belly button.  Choke way down on the club.  Then, just move your abs and get the club swinging away.  This will give you the feeling of moving the club away in one piece.  Keep the arms nice and relaxed while you move away. 

Rob Charland
Head Golf Professional