An Instant Golf® Special Report

How to Make a Perfect Golf Swing Takeaway

 

Robert Cotter of Instant Golfby Robert Cotter (About the Author)
Professional Golf Ball Engineer
Director of Golf Swing Instruction, Instant Golf®

The golf swing takeaway sets the stage for the rest of the swing and it is critical that every golfer gets the club moving correctly from the start. Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion out there on exactly how the club head should move away from the ball.

In fact, after 21+ years of teaching the swing to golfers all over the world, I can say one of the most common questions I receive is:

How Do I Start My Club Head Away From The Ball
and
What Path Should it Take?

Let's get right to it. The golf swing lasts about 1.5 seconds, so every golfer should have the mindset that there is no time for compensations in either the back swing or the down swing.

The best men and women ball strikers in the world take the club away with precision and purpose. There is no "slop" in their move away from the ball.

Once that heavy club head is in motion, you have essentially determined what path it will follow with your initial takeaway move (the initial 2 feet of club head travel).

I developed a simple image that you can follow either in your mind's eye, or as you'll see, with an actual practice area station.

Before I hit any shot, from a short iron to a driver, I stand behind my ball and imagine a set of railroad tracks running right through my stance area right to the middle of my target.

My ball sits on one rail and I stand on the other. Take a look:

golf swing setup    golf swing takeaway

Now with any shot in golf, you address the ball with the club head centered directly behind the ball. And your goal is to return it through that position during impact.

What's more, a closer look at an iron face shows that the "useable" area of the club face is about 2" wide. It is a bit wider for a driver.

That's why when I practice, I imagine that the rail the ball is sitting on is about 2" in width.

If I can practice in an area where I can set up my own set of "railroad tracks", I use painter's masking tape. It is cheap, unravels easily with mild stickiness, and most importantly, it is 2" in width. You may even have some of this stuff lying around in your house!

golf club alignment

Above right is my "rail station" set up at my remote practice location. I leave a spot open for the ball and my feet so the tape doesn't get disturbed. It also allows me to take a turf divot with the irons:

Now back to the subject at hand, the golf swing takeaway.

To build a repeating golf swing, you need to engrain a precise path when you move the club head away from the ball at the start of the swing motion.

So look, if the ball is sitting in the middle of the rail or tape, I also know that the very tip of the club shaft is pointing to the inner edge of the rail. Correct?

Likewise it follows that if I move the club away so that the shaft is always pointing at the inner edge of the tape, then I have prescribed a precise path for the club head to follow every time I take the club away!

This technique also ensures the club head moves back, up and in the correct amount during those critical first 2 feet of the back swing.

The result is that we have started to scribe the perfect swing arc and the club head is tracking beautifully. We also know then that the center of the club face is never far off the centerline of the arc. Important: The club head is not over the tape line or rail, but the club face is "looking" at the ball. Great, the back swing is off to a great start!

Here's a close-up of my takeaway action:

golf-swing-setup

My club head has moved about 2 feet and the shaft is on plane, ready for the rest of the back swing. The guess work is gone. I have made a precise, repeatable takeaway. I can repeat this move with every club in the bag because I have a visual reference (even on the course without my tape). I don't make a swing without this move.

No Practice Station? No Problem..

If you can't make a practice station with tape, no problem. Here's 5 time PGA Tour winner Nick Watney working on his takeaway with his simple practice setup at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral.

The inner edge of my rail is the same as Nick's stick on the ground.

Nick is tracing his stick line back and up on an angled plane, just like myself in the drawing and images above.

You don't need a practice station when you are grooving your takeaway, but I highly advise some sort of visual guidance. This will help engrain the feel of a correct takeaway so it becomes second nature on the course.

Perform the takeaway drill above in practice and use the visualization. In doing so, you have begun the process of building a precise, repeating golf swing.

From this simple takeaway position, I am prepared to finish the back swing and get the club in a precise position at the top.

In a good golf swing, the butt end of the shaft (by your hands) and the club head end of the shaft essentially switch jobs as the hands reach waist high. At about waist high the butt end starts to point at the inner rail!

You can see that switching action below. It reminds me of the title of the movie "Trading Places". The best golfers transition the club from the tip pointing to the butt end pointing seamlessly. A secure, but light grip will help assure this action happens, and in the right place (about waist high). Take a look below:

 
These images are from the new 7th Edition of "The Key To A Repeating Golf Swing"

In the illustrations above, the back swing is 1/2 complete. The top of the back swing also has a few critical elements I have defined and simplified over the years.

However, the Down Swing is a totally Different Animal!

The forces created are tremendous, even for the senior or slower swing speed player. Different muscles are engaged and dynamic balance must be maintained by calling on specific parts of the body. And it all takes place in 1/3 second! Incredible!

From the top of the back swing, Nick Watney and YOU can initiate the down swing with what I call The Key To A Repeating Golf Swing and ride the motion right to the finish position.

All great players, past and present, male and female, are performing The Key whether they are consciously aware of it or not.

When The Key is performed correctly, the down swing will be on auto pilot. You will be held captive by your own great swing.

Impact sounds like a gunshot (especially off the driver) and the golf ball is compressed as efficiently as possible. You will use all of your available swing speed with no power leaks or slop, just like Nick.

I discovered The Key while designing and testing golf balls for an industry leader; on the testing grounds while PGA pros were testing new ball designs.

If you are not happy with your game and are looking for a new direction in the 2019 season and beyond, I would like the opportunity to help you by showing you The Key To A Repeating Golf Swing and my complete swing technique.

You will benefit from my firsthand experience inside the ropes, working with some of the top players in the game. I am convinced you will benefit tremendously from my full swing instruction, short game technique, and golf ball recommendations.

In all my years of playing golf, I have concluded that a golfer can not break 80 without a repeating golf swing. It does not have to be perfect, but it must be reproducible. When a repeating swing takes form, a whole new level of satisfaction results as the golfer is now able to play the game the way it was intended.

My trademark move, The Key, loads the golf shaft at the top, and then delivers the club head right back through the ball with precision power and control. It is the star of the show. I can't play without it.

In fact my discovery of The Key was the very catalyst for my whole career in the golf industry. It was also the sole factor that..

Took my scores from the 110's to the 70's after struggling for years
with inconsistent ball striking and a stagnant handicap.

I'll show you exactly what I've shown over 10,000 golfers from 61 countries, many of whom broke 80 in their very next round after putting The Key into use.

I have also added some great bonuses to my 2022 complete package including expert, yet brand unbiased new Golf Ball Reviews.

I recently introduced the 7th edition of "The Key To A Repeating Golf Swing" to the golf world and the response has been incredible. I invested many hours and dollars getting everything up to my standards and I couldn't be more pleased with the final results:

key to a repeating golf swing

Here's what you'll discover between the covers of the New 7th Edition:

checkmark  My Story - From the 100's to the 70's after a lengthy, bitter struggle with this great game.

checkmark  The comment from a Ryder Cup star (watching my swing) that reinforced my Swing Method.

 How to put your Golf Swing on Autopilot for every club in your bag.

 Why "traditional" instruction fails the determined golfer and my unique solution.

 The common denominator of all great men and women golfers - It's not what you think!

 The discovery on a PGA tournament practice range that changed my game forever.

 What you really need to know about alignment and grip pressure (this is critical).

 Exactly how to make your back swing consistent and Tour Caliber with every club.

 The role of Your Feet in the golf swing and how to use them correctly on every swing.

 Brilliant sequence images showing The Key To A Repeating Swing in action!

 The true role of the body and the arms in the golf swing. Everyone get's this wrong.

 Exactly how to make your back swing consistent and Tour caliber with every club.

 The 3 critical elements to the top of the back swing (stage 2 of your 2 second swing).

 Learn about the "Power L" and how it will transform your ball striking.

 Precisely how to start your down swing for Perfect Balance and Brilliant Impact.

 My unique drills to perfect The Key (you can do some of them without a club in your home).

 How The Key To A Repeating Golf Swing frees up your mind so you can enjoy your game.

 and much, much more Score Lowering insight and proven On Course Strategy.

 

Let me show you exactly how to deliver the club head right back through the ball at impact with tremendous power and control. Thousands of golfers, from beginners to scratch players, have put The Key to work in their games and the results have been astounding (over 250 testimonials on file).

In fact, the following is a note typical of the type that hit my inbox all week. It is genuine and unsolicited:

golfer

"First ever even par round"

"Hi Robert,

I just wanted to pass on that over the last few weeks I have being playing better and better, until the peak which was just yesterday.

I played at a local course and for the first time in my life I shot under 80, and not just under. I hit 38, 36. A day of firsts, first ever even par round, first time in the 70's, 4 birdies, just an all round amazing result.

I owe a fair bit of it to you as I am adhering strictly to your teaching.

Thanks again and best regards,

Dale N. - Maylasia

P.S. I have just received 2 dozen (name removed) golf balls, the ball you recommended for my game (although the score yesterday was with a (name removed), needless to say I'm starting to love this ball quite a lot) and the next time out I intend to try this ball. I'll check in with you early in the new year to see if there is anything else that you recommend.
"

 

"your instruction clears the head"

Robert,

"I am sure you have received many testimonials in the past but how many within the first few hours.

I purchased & read your e-book this morning - as usual, after reading I needed to go to the practice range to see if it at least worked sometimes for me before committing any further time - patience is not one of my virtues.

Whilst I hit the ball well & hit what I was aiming at most of the time that is not the reason for this reply.

For the first time in my 40 years of golf I felt & knew at the top when I was in a good position to hit the ball solidly & could predict the outcome from the top of my swing.

In short, thank you - I now have the new sensation of the correct feeling at the top - golf is not a game of perfect but given 5 minutes practice I am convinced that "simple" is the answer for the amateur/social golfer to play good golf without hitting hundreds of balls per day. - your instruction clears the head of the thousand thoughts that ruin scores & a good day out with the boys.

I started a skeptic who expected the same rehash of information, instead I am pleasantly surprised."

Peter V. - Australia

 

Same day, dramatic improvement... Nice going Peter.

I get notes like these all the time. It doesn't matter whether you are trying to break 105 or 70, the rate of improvement is typically rapid once the "bad data" is stripped from a golfer, and The Key to a repeating golf swing can begin working its magic.

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"Brilliant, stunning, unbelievable is all I can say."

"Dear Sir,

As you will by my e.mail address above I purchased your Key system and I am amazed by its immediate change it has had to my swing and went from 107 for an average round to 90. Brilliant, stunning, unbelievable is all I can say.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply and superb service you have given me, I have just read the ‘Key’ again, just to refresh and keep the practice going to improve even further.

..its great to be able to grin on the first tee knowing that I know what MY FRIENDS WOULD LOVE TO KNOW."

Martin S. - UK

 

"shot a 41! My best of the year"

"Talk about a testimonial... Your Readers would not believe this. Read your book Monday evening. Went to back yard to work on your tips. On Tuesday A.M. worked in my net on theory. Tuesday evening at league shot a 41! My best of the year (4 strokes off my average). All this within 24 hours.

Your a Genius!

Thanks so much."

Carl W. - Kentucky, USA

Author's Note: (this gentleman is 72 years young)

 

"the best golf book I have ever read"

"Hi Robert,

Thank you so much for your comprehensive response to my golf ball recommendation request. I am very impressed...

I read your wonderful e-book “The Key to a Repeating Golf Swing” this weekend, and found it to be the best golf book I have ever read (out of probably 40 or 50 of them).

Great job! And I’ll be recommending you to friends – although not the ones that I am currently playing for money!!"

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