Left Hand Golf Tip: How And Why Create A Slow And Low Takeaway

One of the key drivers of power and consistency is width; creating a slow and low takeaway helps accomplish a wide golf swing.

If the club begins to get too close to the body during the swing, the left handed golfer limits the amount of room they have through impact. By starting the swing slow and low, players can help avoid this fault.

Here is the sequence of motion left handed players can use when swinging all clubs on a standard full shot.

1. Keeping the grip nice and relaxed, repeat the words ‘slow and low’ just before beginning the back swing.
2. You want the feeling the club head is staying very close to the ground as it begins its journey away from the ball. Keeping the arms extended will help achieve this.
3. As the club reaches its halfway point during the back swing, the club shaft should be parallel to the ground. Feel like the club head is being pushed as far away from the body as possible.
4. This must be achieved whilst keeping the body nice and centred. Left handed golfers should want to extend the club away from the body but not sway too far on to the left foot.
5. This wide, extended feeling should continue as the club is swung upward to the top of the back swing. The wrists should be fully hinged and the arms remain connected to the body. At this point, left handed players can feel the hands are high above the left shoulder. This should help ensure the swing remains wide.

This is the correct sequence left handed players can follow up to the top of the swing. There are a number of drills players can use to help ensure this happens. Try this drill to see how low and slow your back swing can be.

1. At the driving range, set up two balls, one in front of the other, about four inches apart.
2. Set up to the first ball with a lofted iron. The club head should now be sitting with the first ball in the centre of the club face and the second ball resting directly behind.
3. The idea of the drill is to swing the club away slow and low, pushing the second ball away off the mat or back along the grass.
4. The longer the back of the club head can stay in contact with the second ball, the lower and slower the back swing will be.
5. Once you have become used to keeping the club head slow and low, pushing the ball away will feel easier.
6. Begin using the same drill, hitting the first ball down the range after the first has been pushed away backwards.