So, I got into golf recently, and who do you look up to when you start? Tiger Woods, right? I mean, the guy’s a legend. I spent this whole week just digging into his backswing, trying to figure out what makes it so darn good.
I started by watching tons of videos, slow-mo replays, you name it. First, I just wanted to see it, you know, get a feel for the motion. Then I started noticing how he sets up – strong grip, seems pretty natural for him. It looked like he was really getting a good coil, winding up like a spring.
Next, I tried to copy it. Yeah, that was… humbling. My first few attempts were all over the place. I felt stiff, awkward, like I was made of wood. I realized I was really struggling to get that smooth, connected movement he has.
- I realized that my shoulder turn was super flat.
- My wrists weren’t doing what they were supposed to do. No hinge, no cocking.
- My arms were all out of whack. I was more all over the place than doing a straight takeaway.
So I went back to the videos, but this time I focused on specific things. I watched how Tiger’s wrists hinge and how his arms move in sync with his body. I noticed his legs, his core all those little things I was skipping before. I tried to implement those things in my practice.
I started with just a takeaway, going slowly, pausing, feeling each part of the move. It was like I had to teach my body a whole new language. I focused on getting that wrist hinge, feeling the stretch in my back, keeping my arms connected to my body, and rotating my shoulders properly.
Then, I started hitting balls, short irons first, focusing on making solid contact. I would even start by taking it away just waist high, then add in a bit more turn, gradually building up to a full swing. I realized that I need to get my upper body strength to catch up with my legs.
The Outcome
Honestly, it’s still a work in progress. It’s not like I’m suddenly hitting it like Tiger. But I can feel a difference. My swing feels more connected, more powerful. I’m hitting the ball more consistently, and it’s going further. And most importantly, I actually understand what I’m trying to do now. I’m not just swinging blindly; I’m building a proper backswing, piece by piece. I think practicing these basics can significantly improve my backswing.
It’s been a fun week, learning and trying. Golf’s a tough game, but it’s addictive, especially when you start to see some progress. I’m gonna keep at it, keep practicing, and keep learning from the best. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll have a backswing that’s at least a little bit like Tiger’s. A guy can dream, right?
