What Is A One-Piece Takeaway In Golf?
Golf Monthly Top 50 Coach Paul Foston answers this important question to help you set your swing on a better path
The takeaway can determine how the club travels to the top of the backswing and then into impact, so it's vitally important to get it right. In the video and article below, PGA pro Paul Foston discusses the one-piece takeaway and how it can help your game.
The takeaway is a vitally important move in the golf swing. Get it right and you will set the club working on the right path. Get it wrong and you will need to make compensations later in your swing to hit good shots. This of course, will make you less consistent. The good news is the takeaway in the golf swing is something we can all get right with a little practice. But what is a one-piece takeaway in golf?
A one-piece takeaway refers to the triangle between the clubhead and your shoulders. Until your wrists hinge to set the angle in the backswing (creating important power), you should try to keep this triangle in one piece.
If you snatch the club away on the inside, for instance, with an overactive wrist action, that triangle will be lost and you'll need an inside takeaway golf fix to resolve the problem. If you are working on your takeaway, the image of this triangle is very useful as the takeaway and swing path are linked. Keep it intact for as long as you can, until your wrists hinge to set the angle in the backswing. This will ensure that during the early stages, your swing is right on plane and ready to find better 'natural' positions throughout.
A great drill is to place the butt of the club in your belly button and grip half way down the shaft. Replicate your normal takeaway and if you are doing it correctly the butt of the club will stay in contact with your belly button throughout. If it pops out of position your wrist hinge will be too active, too early and you'll need to work on creating a more passive takeaway. This simple tip will help you with one of the most important moves in the golf swing, setting the right path at the right tempo for much more consistent golf shots.
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Location: Paul Foston Golf Academy
Paul has worked with a number of Tour professionals over the years, and is proud to have successfully coached over 40,000 students. In 2005, he set out to design his own academy with a ‘world class’ coaching infrastructure of technical advancement and a tailor made short game layout to practice every real life challenge experienced on course.
Greatest success story:
Fulfilling the dreams of five international players - Paul Way, Mark Roe, Craig Parry, Jamie Spence and Peter Mitchell, taking them to European Tour victories and one to Ryder Cup success.
Teaching philosophy:
Golf is one of the most challenging sports to accomplish. To play well consistently requires you to invest time in lessons, practice and play in equal measure; this will give a solid foundation and enable you to develop skills across the whole spectrum of the game. Identifying an individual’s learning style is key to coaching and effective communication. My imaginative mind and use of analogy is a creative, easily understandable method to convey instruction and simplify technique.
Significant teaching influences:
I have amassed a great body of knowledge by researching the world’s best players and their unique ability to play golf at the highest level. I have also kept pace with technology and golf equipment advancements. These findings have given me a deep understanding of swing dynamics and techniques which have been incorporated into my classic coaching style.
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