Proper Takeaway in Golf (3 Keys)

Written by Todd in Online Golf Instruction

3 Keys to a proper takeaway in golf:

  1. Sequencing
  2. Club Face Pointing at the Golf Ball
  3. Tempo

Over the years, there have been many different styles of takeaways in golf.

Different paths, different speeds, and different wrist hinging taking place.

Yes, the most perfect looking swings have the takeaway and the downswing on the same plane that look like the golfer should never be able to hit a bad shot with the mirror image tht they produce.

However, at the same time, we have seen many different takeaways work as long as the golfer gets onto the right plane for his or her swing with the right matchups.

The most extreme takeaways we have seen include Jim Furyk, Matthew Wolff and Raymond Floyd.

Jim Furyk might be in the top 10 most consistent ball strikers of all time.  He is pure with his irons and hits a nice fade with the driver that keeps him in play.  Someone might have coached him away from his takeaway if they were instructing him during his junior days.

The main thing to learn from Furyk is to perfect your swing!

There are long takeaways and short takeaways.  Think of a Jon Rahm swing vs a John Daly swing.  Total different lengths, but still both hit the ball a long way.

So what does this all mean for the amateur golfer?  We bring it down to 3 keys to help you develop an efficient and consistent golf swing.

Proper Takeaway in Golf (3 Keys)

Update: This past season I was finally able to reach the scratch level. I felt one of the keys to hitting my driver better was a proper load in the backswing. Everything felt like it loaded up together. In the past my arms might have outraced by body on the backswing and I would often get stuck in the downswing. The loading up and then going feel worked wonders this past season!

Key #1: Sequencing the Takeaway

The most efficient takeaways in golf start with multiple parts moving in the swing.  The hands, arms, upper and lower body start the sequence and get the club moving away from the ball.  

Think of throwing a medicine ball. If you were going to properly take it back and through, you would get every part of your body moving together with the proper sequence.  Keep in mind, our goal here is efficiency and simplicity to maximize consistency!

This drill below will help you with this and ensure you are maximizing your swing speed by starting the right way with your takeaway.

Check out the best swings of all time!

Check out the weirdest swings of all time!

Drill: Medicine Ball Drill

  • Take a 5-15 pounds medicine ball and hold it in front of you.
  • Go ahead and move your arms back and then throw it forward down your target line.
  • Focus on getting the numerous body parts involved in the takeaways and the through swing.
An efficient takeaway in the golf swing can help with consistency

Key #2: Club Face Pointing at the Golf Ball

For years, golf coaches taught their golfers to turn their toe up in the takeaway.  As the club reached parallel in the takeaway they wanted the toe of the club pointed at the sky.  We have learned that this is not the most efficient takeaway.  While it worked for many golfers over the years, it relies on opening and closing the club face and having the proper forearm rotation through the hitting zone and at impact.  

The real benefit behind a takeaway where the club face stays square to the swing arch is consistency through limiting the club face rotation and maximizing the club face stability.  We do not need the club face to open and then close relative to the swing arch, instead we can use proper wrist hinging and keep the face square and still maximize distance.

Drill: Club Face Control

  • Setup up the ball
  • Go ahead and take the club back to parallel to the ground
  • Check where your club face is pointing
  • Repeat 10-20 times
  • Setup a camera down the line to get a different view

Work on keepin this consistent and then finishing your back swing.  With the proper body movement you will be able to eliminate early twisting of the club that happens to many golfers.

Short backswing in golf (3 Advantages)

Short vs Long Backswing: Which one is better?

3 Great Golfers – 3 Different Takeaways

Key #3: Tempo

For many years the teaching was low and slow.  This has been proven incorrect by the TourTempo crew including John Novosel.  What we have learned is that the best golf swings occur in a 3:1 ratio.  3 parts backswing, 1 part down swing.  His father discovered this by watching film of golfers and counting the frames it took to complete the swing.  Many of the golfers had a 3:1 ratio of 27:9, 24:8, or 21:7.  There are now golfers on tour swinging at a 18:6 ratio.  

The bottom line for the amateur golfer is that the faster your backswing is, the more likely you are to hit the ball further and more consistently.  Many amateur golfers swing way too slow on the backswing and can in the 30s for the number of frames on the backswing.

Whatever your tempo is for your takeaway, find the consistency and actually time your entire swing using the TourTempo app.

Complete Post: Tour Tempo Review: Can it help my game?

Next Steps: Putting it all Together

It is one thing to have a wonderful takeaway, but we need to see the results from the work.  Having the proper sequencing, right club face angle and the proper tempo will be a great foundation to keeping your swing on track.  

The dril below is our recommendation to take your game to the next level.  We believe that every golfer needs a stock shot.  A stock shot is defined as a slight draw or slight fade that a golfer can count on under pressure.

The importance of a takeaway is to put us in the proper position to start the ball on our intended target line and have a predictable curve.

We believe golf comes down to three keys:

  • Being able to control the low point of the swing (solid contact)
  • Being able to control the start line and the curve (stock shot)
  • Having enough speed to play the game

How to increase swing speed with driver!

The takeaway and the drills described above can help you with all three of these keys and then you can assess your skills with the following drill.

Drill: Stock Shot Drill

Maybe our favorite drill of all time.  This drill is great to help control the start line and what direction your ball is curving.  Whether you hit a stock draw or a stock fade, you need a go to shot that you can count on in the most pressure packed situations.

The golfer that has a reliable stock shot can plot his or her way around the course and put them in a position to attack certain pins.  There is no better feeling than stepping up to your shot and having a very good idea of the start line and what way the ball will curve.

The best golfers can do this.  The highest handicap golfers have no idea where the ball is starting or what direction it is going to curve.

  • At the driving range, set up an alignment stick about 6-8 yards in front of you, straight down your target line.
  • If you have a second alignment stick, set the stick 3-4 feet right of the first stick (for a draw) or left of the first stick (for a fade).
  • Complete your initial assessment see how many times out of 10 you can start the ball to the right or left of your target.  Pick one side and measure your game at this point.
  • The goal is to eventually get 7 out of 10 shots to start to the correct side and draw back towards the target.

Assess your game at least once a week with this drill and track your progress.  Are you at 7 out of 10 and can you reach 9 out of 10 or even 10 out of 10 during a practice session?

For even better feedback, consider adding a Skytrak or Mevo to your practice sessions to see the shot pattner and to get key information to continue to evolve your golf swing.

Here are the top 3 options to check out to take your game to the next level:

Working on your game every day is a major advantage and a game changer!

My Secret To Golf Improvement

Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently.  About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.  I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.

This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer.  I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.  I can practice or play rounds of golf.  I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.

It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.

Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:

Final Thoughts: Proper Takeaway in Golf

The proper takeaway is important for your consistency.  At the end of the day, it is all about matchups in your golf swing and being able to control your start line and curve of the ball.  When you have predictability in your shots, you can properly manage your game and plot your way around a course!  This is a great way to play golf!  My Skytrak has been a game changer and I would highly recommend adding one to your tools!

One of my favorite quotes of all time!

Swing your swing. Not some idea of a swing.  Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had.  No, swing your swing.  Capable of greatness.  Prized only by you.  Perfect in its imperfection. Swing your swing. I know, I did.

Arnold Palmer

Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better

What does this mean for you?  I believe in the following recipe to get better:

1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor.  Here are some options:

Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:

2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed.  Here are some options:

Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:

3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier.  Here is a series on breaking through:

We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.

4 – Practice Frequently

Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system?  It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:

Recent Posts