By most accounts a short backswing in golf is better, because you avoid the problems of over swinging and the dreaded “across the line” position at the top of the backswing. Just by looking at golfers like Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, and especially Camilo Villegas have tried to shorten their back swings and quiet the excess motion in the golf swing.

So why is a short backswing better? Well the reasons are abundant, but the most important factor is that you avoid losing control of the club at the top. A smooth transition is essential to a solid golf swing, but to do that you need to have a solid back swing. So toning down on the back swing will promote greater accuracy.

Most people have to long of a backswing because they are trying to increase their shoulder turn. To turn your shoulders you do not have to take the club past parallel! In fact, i can turn my shoulder over 90 degrees without my club even reaching parallel. The key to hitting the ball long and straight is to have a big shoulder turn, and that does not mean a long back swing.

A short backswing in golf is better, simply because that is what all of the professionals are working on. Look at J.B. Holmes and Camilo Villegas, these are two of the longest hitters on the PGA tour and they do not even bring the club to parallel at the top. If the top players in the world are doing it then chances are it can help your game too!

So next time you head to the range make sure that you are not over swinging and this should help you hit the ball further and much more solid.