Instruction
The proper sequence of an efficient takeaway
The first few feet the club swings back is one of the most critical parts of the golf swing. How we start our takeaway will dictate how our body moves and will set the tone for the entire swing.
In order to have the most efficient swing possible, the club head and shaft must move first to start your golf swing. I say club head and shaft because based on your current takeaway, FEELING one move first then the other may be more beneficial to you.
There is no one correct way to swing a club, and everyone’s takeaway can be slightly different. There are many different takeaways you see each week on Tour, but players who don’t start the takeaway with the club head moving first have what I call “sequence moves” in their golf swing. In other words, they have found the right combination of moves to sequence their swing to get back to impact.
So why does the club head need to move first? To start, the club head travels the farthest in our swing in relation to our body once we grip the club. Imagine looking at your swing face on. The arc or circle the club head is traveling on is much longer then the arc or rotation of your body. In order to have the proper kinematic sequence to be efficient, the club head would have to start moving first, since it travels a longer route to the top.
Second, getting the shaft and club head moving first will help you generate shaft speed. Concentrating more on swinging the shaft will help generate speed for most players. The average PGA Tour player’s 6 iron club head speed is 92 mph, while the average Tour player body rotates between 7 to 12 mph. Focusing more on swinging the shaft properly will produce more speed and consistency.
Below are pictures of the first two major winners of this year
Dustin Johnson (2016 U.S. Open winner)
Danny Willett (2016 Masters winner)
Having a proper set up is the root to an efficient swing. Starting with your right shoulder below your left, having angle in your right wrist and a soft right arm is imperative to get the proper sequence.
Once we have the proper setup, we can then move the club head first and allow our right arm to properly fold. This is done by moving the club head/shaft and folding the right arm. The club head will have looked to travel first, without the use of excessive wrist hinge (the club head does not move first by just cocking your wrists). In the picture below, my shoulders have already started to move around my body, just by moving the shaft and my arms. I have not physically tried to rotate my shoulders yet. My arms will eventually pull me into a coil position.
A player that starts their swing by physically trying to rotate their chest and shoulders to start their swing will almost always result in a swing that is too long, as the club head has to play catch up to the body. I call these players “over rotators.” Often, in this move, the club gets too far behind their body as a result. A great feel to correct this is to keep your chest over the ball as you start your takeaway.
Another common fault is a player’s hands dragging the club head back with their arms and shoulders. This is very common with players attempting a “one-piece take away.” The right arm locks up and the player’s spine will tilt toward the target as a result. The player will usually have to make a very late wrist hinge as a sequence move and a hip slide back into the ball as a result from the tilt.
A great drill to rehearse a proper takeaway is to take your left hand off the club, hold your upper right arm to your chest (for a right-handed golfer) and get the feeling of the club head moving. The club head should move farther than your hands when you look down. Make this a subtle move, where the club head doesn’t travel much farther than knee or waist high. Your left hand should keep your right arm in a folding position. Once you set the club, you can then put your left hand on the club. Take note of the position your arms are in and your shoulders.
Use a mirror to check your positions at home or take advantage of your smart phone on the range. You can also download a swing app or use video on your phone to check your positions. Swing analysis software used to be in the thousands of dollars, now it’s free, or just a few bucks.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
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Ken
Dec 16, 2019 at 3:47 am
What a great article. I can’t believe I hadn’t read it before. Very helpful stuff here. Thank You.
ndj
Aug 26, 2016 at 10:40 am
HI Kelvin,
This little drill and key has significantly helped my ball striking. I’m interested what other instructors you recommend to continue refining the swing with this takeaway in mind? Thanks!
ndj
Aug 26, 2016 at 10:52 am
Whoops, ignore the this post. I didn’t realize the last one went through. Looking forward to the next article!
ndj
Aug 24, 2016 at 4:03 pm
Hi Kelvin,
Great stuff. I’ve incorporated this takeaway key into my swing and my irons have been flush. Still struggling with directional control on drives though. Do you recommend any other WRX authors who mirror your views on the golf swing? I’ve read your three articles and enjoyed them and looking to continue down the rabbit hole.
Kelvin Kelley
Aug 25, 2016 at 4:43 pm
Ndj,
Glad you enjoyed the articles. I have another article coming here shortly. I will also be setting up a swing analysis link so you can send me your swing if you need me to take a look.
Terry
Aug 1, 2016 at 8:57 pm
Interesting. But I’m still confused about how to move the club head first without first using the hands and or forearms to get the club head moving. So my take…is this right???….move your hands/forearms to get the club head moving and continue to keep these (hands/forearms/clubshaft) moving until the shoulders kind of follow along and rotate at some point while the right elbow is bending? Feel kind of dim not understanding this.
Kelvin Kelley
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:51 pm
Terry, you are correct, you can just move your hands and allow your right arm to fold which will get you in correct position, a slight wrist hinge is okay as well. Your shoulders will have naturally moved.
Terry
Aug 5, 2016 at 5:28 pm
Thank you for replying Kelvin. Currently I start my backswing by turning my upper chest and shoulders with hands/arms moving in unison. I don’t over swing. Can’t due to physical issues. If anything I have a short backswing. Is this OK as I generally hit the ball decent. I am contemplating trying to start the backswing as described in the article in the hope of lengthening my >swing a bit. Thanks again for taking the time.
Kelvin Kelley
Aug 6, 2016 at 4:04 pm
Terry, you don’t need to lengthen your swing to produce more power. Example, JB Holmes and Jon Rahm. This takeaway will give you the chance to produce more arm speed and hit it further. Let your arms pull you into a coil position. Hope this helps! Keep me posted.
Terry
Aug 7, 2016 at 5:22 pm
Thanks again Kelvin. In my post immediately above, think I didn’t explain my backswing, and ask my question, in the the proper order. So I’ll try again. Currently I start my backswing by turning my upper chest and shoulders with hands/arms moving in unison. Is this OK if I avoid over swinging, which I can’t do because of chronic left shoulder issues. If anything I now have a short backswing.
Just looked at my backswing, face on, in a mirror. At waist high I look very much like you ( I assume) in picture 5. Not at all like the incorrect picture 6 where you talk about over rotators starting back with chest and shoulders. In pic 6, at waist high, it looks like you already have your left shoulder pointed at the ball whereas at waist high in my swing my shoulders have barely moved, much like picture 5. I must move my arms more than I’m aware of in my backswing. I’ll monitor this and experiment with starting backswing with hands and arms only. I know I originally started turning my chest to start the backswing because I felt it was more precise, controllable and repeatable than any other method I tried.
Thanks again for taking the time. Appreciate it.
Terry
Kelvin Kelley
Aug 17, 2016 at 3:07 am
Terry, sounds like you are on the right track, feel free to send me your swing through a Twitter message to have me take a look if you would like
Kenny
Aug 1, 2016 at 11:15 am
So, what body part should you use or feel to begin the process of moving the club back first. I’ve been taught to move the club with my larger body parts (shoulders & chest). But, when I do use the larger muscles I tend to create a lag effect where everything starts to move and the shaft/club follow last. I’ve been trying to do the opposite and initiate the swing by pulling the club back first with the hands and everything moves after. Seems to be working. Thoughts?
Kelvin Kelley
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Kenny, it is not a pulling motion but more of just getting the clubhead to move first. When you do his, you will notice your hands will move and your right arm will fold. So to answer body part, don’t feel it in your chest, feel it in your right arm. Hope this helps
Kenny
Aug 2, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Pull or Move, same thing. So, basically use your hands to get the club moving first to start the backswing.
Moe Norman
Jul 29, 2016 at 4:42 pm
The average tour player will have their shoulders 50* closed and 30* tilted when the shaft is parallel with the ground in the takeaway…
Mitch
Jul 24, 2016 at 7:42 pm
Always the smartest guy in the room.
Jim
Jul 24, 2016 at 6:38 pm
Looking back over my shoulder I see at least 100 golf swing books that would call the club head moving first a joke….there is maybe 3 that instruct a hand controlled swing that may buy this….How many millions of swing training clubs with a hing in them were sold in the 80’s that call this a death move peroid….?
BD57
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Really?
Gee, someone better tell DJ & Willett that the shaft should still be pointing at their belly, because this business of them setting the club with their hands – making the club head go faster than a mere arm swing would allow – is a “death move.”
Amazing the snark that people feel the need to post around here.
stephenf
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:37 pm
Exactly right, BD57.
What people think they’re doing and what they theorize about, versus what they’re actually doing, are really different things.
The “clubhead at belly” thing is OK therapy for somebody who isn’t moving his body well to support the swinging of the arms and club on the takeaway. But taken too far, it results in a overly torso-oriented swing with the body heaving and shoving and pushing the club around.
Joe Brennan
Jul 24, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Another great article. This instruction helped me out in the Audi Quatro….
M.
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:02 am
What a load of bs
Joe Brennan
Jul 24, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Sounds like you hit for the Junior tees. Try moving up to the mens.
M.
Jul 24, 2016 at 10:24 pm
‘For’ or ‘from’??? Nice try, lol
M.
Jul 24, 2016 at 9:58 am
…flip away…
OH
Jul 24, 2016 at 2:12 am
Tried this tonight and was shocked to see that it really helped avoid my old overswinging tendencies. Also got me nicely on plane. Going to have to make this part of my practice and pre-shot routines.
Bob Edgar
Jul 27, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Tried this on the golf course yesterday. Best round of the year! It seems to help me get to a good position at the top. Results are surprising.
Kelvin Kelley
Aug 2, 2016 at 12:52 pm
OH and Bob, glad you enjoyed article!
steve
Jul 23, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Basically you start the takeaway with the arms and the folding of the right arm “sets” the club, rather than intentional wrist hinge?
Kelvin Kelley
Jul 24, 2016 at 1:56 am
Steve,
It’s the feeling of the clubhead moving first which will fold up your arm. A slight wrist hinge is okay, but is not a “wrist only” set. Hope this helps
baudi
Jul 23, 2016 at 7:25 pm
So, Carl Lohren is completely wrong?
Chris.C
Jul 23, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Best change ever made, it’s about keeping things simple in the swing and removing all the moving parts, the setup is also key by getting shape – get “Right Sided” peeps, it’s a much easier way to play and enjoy gold (Gary Edwin inspired) ????
Steven
Jul 23, 2016 at 1:26 pm
I am a little confused. If I am reading this correctly, we shouldn’t use the chest to move the clubhead, but we also shouldn’t use the hands with an early wrist hinge. I understand the drill to feel the correct position, but how do we get into that position. I don’t understand how to move the clubhead without moving my chest or hands. Thanks for the help.
Kelvin Kelley
Jul 23, 2016 at 3:08 pm
Steven,
If you have the correct wrist angle at address you can just move the clubhead and fold up your trail arm. Your hands will definitely move as in the photos. A slight wrist hinge is okay as well. Hope this helps
AC
Jul 23, 2016 at 12:55 pm
Gosh darn it heck, for the last year i have been trying to start the back swing as “one piece” with shoulders/chest first and club. Now, if i understand this correctly, arms first up to between knee/waist then rotate?
Kelvin Kelley
Jul 23, 2016 at 3:10 pm
AC, I would prefer to feel your arms pull your body into a coil position at the top.
Snoopy
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:14 pm
Good write up, but I’ve also seen people talking about keeping the right arm straighter longer in the backswing to create width which should result in more power. Specifically I’ve seen this talked about referring to Adam Scott. So how do these two ideas, a straighter right arm vs folding the right arm quickly, interact with each other? Is it a simple tradeoff of power potential and consistency/efficiency? Or am I totally misinterpreting something? If you fold the right arm and keep the elbow close to the body early during the takeaway, when should the right arm move away from the body?
Kelvin Kelley
Jul 25, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Snoopy,
Great question. You can still be “narrow” in the takeaway and then produce “width” and be “wide” at the top of your swing. So you can have both. As in the photos, the right arm has folded, hands close to body, but can still be wide at the top. A straight right arm in the take away will usually produce a tilt in shoulders and cause your body to work under too much.
Hope this helps
BD57
Jul 25, 2016 at 2:00 pm
I know of what you speak. One of my faults is to pull the club toward me with the right arm by “over-folding” the right arm – causes my left arm to break down & I lose width. I’ve used a kid’s swimming arm float in the past as an aide to remind me where the folding is to stop.