Fix My Fault - The Key to a Longer Backswing

Gaining distance is one of the most sought-after goals in golf. Whether you're looking to outdrive your playing partners or simply improve your overall game, increasing your backswing efficiently can lead to significant gains. Many golfers feel limited by their mobility, but often, it's not their flexibility holding them back - it's their technique. The key to a longer backswing lies in optimizing your movements, particularly how you manage knee flex throughout the swing.

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The Role of Knee Flex in a Powerful Backswing

A common mistake golfers make when trying to take a longer backswing is overextending their arms or separating their elbows. This often leads to inconsistent contact and reduced power. Instead, focusing on the proper knee flex can dramatically improve your turn and help you maximize clubhead speed.

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Tour Averages for Proper Turn

• Hips: ~44° closed
• Shoulders: ~88° closed

By focusing on your knee movements, you can exceed these numbers and achieve a more efficient and powerful swing.

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How to Optimize Your Knee Flex for a Longer Swing

1. Start with a Slight Flex - At address, your trail knee (right knee or right-handed golfers) should have about 10 By -20° of fleX.
2. Extend the Trail Knee in the Backswing - As you rotate into your backswing, begin extending the trail knee while simultaneously flexing the lead knee.
3. Close Your Turns More - This movement allows your hips and shoulders to rotate more, creating compensating by breaking down your arm structure.
4. Avoid Over-Separation of the Arms - The goal is to increase your rotation without compensating by breaking down your arm structure.

Want to see this technique in action? Check out our latest YouTube video where we break down the exact movements and demonstrate how proper knee flex can unlock more power in your swing:

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The Benefits of an Optimized Backswing

By implementing these knee flex changes, you'll experience:

• Increased clubhead speed
• A deeper turn for greater power
• A more efficient swing path that encourages an inside-to-out motion
• Improved consistency and better ball striking

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Addressing Common Concerns

A frequent worry among golfers attempting a longer backswing is that they might slice the ball. However, as we discussed in the video, a slice is typically caused by an open clubface relative to the swing path, not by taking a longer swing. With proper rotation and clubface control, your new, deeper backswing will lead to both greater distance and improved accuracy.

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Want to Master Your Backswing?

Discover how to train a good backswing and make solid contact every time. Check out our article on "How to Train a Good Backswing" for more tips!

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Try It Out!

Start working on this knee flex adjustment today to add power and consistency to your local swing. For expert coaching, visit your local GOLFTEC for a personalized swing evaluation.

Stay tuned for more insights on fixing common faults and improving your game!