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From 9 to the Top 
Right Shoulder Quit Turning
Right Shoulder Closed Too Much
An article by: Bobby Eldridge
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Getting to the Top of the Backswing
Correctly
From the 9 oclock position the golf club must continue up on an arc
(#46). This can only happen if you continue to turn the right
shoulder out of the way. As the right shoulder turns out of the way, the arms, hands and golf
club will continue to swing inside, however, after the golf club passes the 9 oclock
position, it will have to swing up. This combination is what I believe is the most difficult
part of the backswing.
Don't Stop Turning the Shoulder until You Reach the
TopYou can not stop turning the shoulder. If you do stop turning the golf club will
start to swing up to much. If you continue to swing the golf club around with the shoulders the
golf club will swing too much around. The combination is when the shoulders turn and the golf club
swings up (#47). When you reach the top of the backswing with this
combination you will be in position to swing the golf club down on the correct path and with
clubhead speed. We are closing in on the top of the golf swing. Three lessons down and what is it
five to go. I have said for years, if you get it to the top of the backswing in the correct
position, you have an 80% better chance of making solid contact with the golf ball.
Top of the Backswing - Getting There
As the golf club leaves the 9:00 position, it has to continue on the arc until you reach the top
of the backswing. There are a number of moving parts that must be in place during this journey.
First and foremost the right shoulder must continue to turn. The right shoulder can not stop or
change directions. If the right shoulder stops or tilts up, the golf club will swing up too much
(#49). If the right shoulder turns too much the golf club will not
go up (#50).
The Mechanics of the Right Shoulder Approcing the Top of the Golf SwingAs the right
shoulder continues to turn in the backswing, the right hip must not follow it. The right hip has to
resist turning so you can develop resistance. If you develop resistance in the backswing with the
bottom half of your body, you will build up tension and that is where the ability to develop
clubhead speed comes from.
As the right shoulder continues to turn level to the ground, the left knee will continue to turn
more towards the golf ball. You have to make sure you do not allow the right knee to pass the golf
ball.
As the right shoulder continues to turn, the left shoulder will move from the address position
towards the golf ball. As the right shoulder continues to turn, your head will move slightly to the
right (away from the golf ball). Your head will move a couple of inches as a result of the right
shoulder turning out of the way. The head does not slide back and away from the golf ball with the
lower body. The right knee never moves (#48).
Golf Backswing - How to Create WidthDuring the entire backswing, the left arm has remained
long, not rigid. The right arm will begin to fold after the golf club leaves the 9:00 position. The
reason the left arm remains long is to provide you with plenty of width in the backswing. Width in
the backswing is the reason you can develop clubhead speed. If the left arm remains long you can
swing the clubhead on the arc, and by swinging it on the arc you will be able to build clubhead
speed in the downswing.
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