Path of Least Resistance - Golf Backswing

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I ask my students to use their shoulders to control the backswing. This means the shoulders move the arms and club to the top of the backswing.

My students ask me, “Where should my arms go? Up what plane? To the inside?”

I tell them, “Along the path of least resistance.”

I know that sounds noncommittal, but that is what happens. If the arms are set up properly—with the shaft in line with the front arm and the elbows close together, pointing back toward the hips—traveling along the path of least resistance will be very easy.

Again, the shoulders control the backswing. The arms and hands must not help or lift.

We first need the spine to be in a natural, athletic position. We do not want the top of the spine tilted to the right or left. If the spine tilts to one side, the shoulders become restricted and can’t turn freely. The shoulders themselves need to be level and natural.

The spine will also tilt forward a bit as our rear end counterbalances us to create an “athletic position.” This is not a forward lean that shifts our weight outward; our weight remains directed straight down with gravity.

Our goal is for the shoulders to rotate in a plane perpendicular to the spine—at a 90° angle to it. On the takeaway, as the shoulders turn around the spine, the arms and club move along the path of least resistance. It does not matter where they go as long as the shoulders maintain control.

If we are successful, we can then use the body to control the downswing. As the body unwinds, its mass brings the shoulders, arms, and club along.

Since everything traveled up along the path of least resistance on the backswing, everything will return down that same path for a solid shot—as long as the hands or elbows don’t disrupt the motion by taking over or changing position.

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