Guest post by Erik Schjolberg, founder and head coach of EJS Golf
As a golf coach, I’ve realized that the takeaway is one of the most critical, yet often overlooked, components of the golf swing. If golfers don’t engage their body from the very beginning of the golf swing, they won’t be able to successfully recruit it throughout the motion. The takeaway sets the foundation for everything that follows, and neglecting it can hinder performance. It’s not just about moving the club back; it’s about initiating the swing with a coordinated effort from the entire body.
A common error many golfers make is snatching the club back with their hands without involving the body. This mistake causes the hands to move away from the body, which pulls the clubhead behind the golfer, often without much body movement. Remember, we’re moving pressure around, not mass —a gentle pressure shift from the lead side to the trail side.
Although impact is the priority, getting to a solid impact starts with the right setup. To achieve this, I always examine what happens between Position 1 (the address) and Position 2 (when the club is parallel to the ground in the backswing). I even also look at Position 1.5, which is when the hands reach the trail thigh. By this point, the clubface should still be facing the golf ball, and the wrist angles should stay the same as the hands move inward toward the trail thigh. The grip moves about six inches, and the clubface travels two to three feet, ensuring that the body is properly engaged.
In my coaching, I’ve used video feedback for years to help students know if they’re in the correct positions. While I don’t advocate the same swing for every golfer, I do follow principles that improve impact and enjoyment of the game. One easy way to check the takeaway is to set an alignment stick on the ground; by Position 2, the club should be close to parallel with the stick that’s parallel to the target. You can find more takeaway drills on my YouTube page and on my website.
I rely on Onform’s video analysis tools to dissect and improve my students’ takeaways. Capturing their swings on video allows me to slow down the footage, observing small nuances that would be impossible to catch in real-time. This technology allows me to pinpoint where the body isn’t engaging properly at the start of the swing. For example, I can see if the chest is turning in sync with the arms or if there’s too much reliance on the hands. Onform lets me draw lines, measure angles to the degree, mark ideal positions at each key point, and comment on the takeaway while analyzing it. It’s easy to then send videos back and forth with my students directly through the Onform app.
When analyzing the takeaway on video, I focus on several key areas:
- Clubhead Path: Is it following the correct path relative to the target line?
- Body Rotation: Are the chest and torso initiating movement together?
- Wrist Angles and Clubface Orientation: Is the clubface still looking at the golf ball while the hands move inward toward the trail thigh?
Onform’s tools let me compare swings over time, highlighting improvements or areas needing more work. Its side-by-side feature lets me place two swings next to each other, revealing differences in the takeaway, especially during the transition from Position 1 to Position 1.5 and beyond. I also have the ability to overlay one swing over the other, which is beneficial for my students when looking at what has changed in their golf swing. This visual feedback provides clear evidence of what’s working and what isn’t.
The takeaway’s importance cannot be overstated. It’s the foundation on which the rest of the golf swing is built. Engaging the body from the start allows golfers to generate more power and achieve better accuracy. By aligning arms, shoulders, chest, and hips, we create a more fluid, effective swing. Without this early body involvement, adjustments made later in the swing are merely compensations that can lead to inconsistency and weaker impact.
3 Drills to Improve the Takeaway
1. Trail Thigh Takeaway Drill (Position 1.5 Focus)
- Setup:
- Begin in your normal address position with a club in hand.
- Execution:
- Start your takeaway and pause when your hands reach your trail thigh (Position 1.5).
- Checkpoints:
- Clubface still faces the golf ball.
- Wrist angles remain unchanged.
- Hands move inward toward your trail thigh.
- The grip moves about six inches, and the clubhead travels two to three feet.
- Purpose: Engages your body from the start, promoting correct clubface orientation and wrist angles.
2. One-Piece Takeaway Drill
- Setup:
- Assume your normal address position.
- Execution:
- Place a golf ball, glove, or headcover between your forearms.
- Begin the backswing by moving your arms, shoulders, and club together as a unit, keeping the object securely in place.
- Checkpoints
- Shoulders and hips initiate the movement along with your arms.
- Maintain connection between your forearms.
- Purpose: Encourages synchronized movement between the upper body and arms, promoting full-body engagement.
3. Belly Takeaway Drill
- Setup:
- Stand in your normal address position with a club.
- Place the butt end of the club against your belly button.
- Extend your arms fully down the shaft, gripping the club with straight arms.
- Execution:
- Begin your takeaway by turning your shoulders and hips together, keeping the club’s butt end firmly against your belly.
- Move the club back until your hands reach your trail thigh (Position 1.5).
- Checkpoints:
- Clubface remains facing the golf ball.
- Maintain wrist angles; avoid unnecessary movement.
- Hands move inward toward the trail thigh, with the club staying connected to your belly.
- The grip end moves about six inches; the clubhead travels two to three feet.
- Purpose: Promotes unified movement of arms, shoulders, and torso, ensuring arms and body move together.
These drills are designed to help you engage your body effectively from the start of your swing. By focusing on these key positions and movements, you’ll set yourself up for better impact and overall consistency. The takeaway sets the tone for everything that follows, so putting in the work here is crucial for developing a powerful and accurate golf swing. Plus, each of these drills can be done indoors while watching your favorite sport on TV.
Focusing on the takeaway has transformed how my students improve their ball-striking abilities. With Onform’s video analysis tools, I’ve gained insights that were previously out of reach. By actively involving the body from the beginning and focusing on critical positions like 1.5, we set the stage for more successful and enjoyable golf experiences. I encourage all golfers to record their swings and pay close attention to their takeaways. If we don’t engage our bodies from the beginning, we miss out on the full potential of our golf swings.
Erik Schjolberg, founder and head coach at EJS Golf in Scottsdale, AZ, has dedicated over 25 years to advancing the art and science of golf instruction. Known for his science-driven approach, Erik uses cutting-edge technology to deliver immediate, measurable results for his students. His coaching approach is customized to meet the unique needs of each golfer, from PGA Tour players to dedicated amateurs, ensuring that every lesson builds towards lasting results. At EJS Golf, Erik’s mission is simple: to make every swing an opportunity for growth.
