This lesson features a virtual time machine. The student is me from 2011. I ran across an old swing of mine the other day and was overjoyed to critique it. My old swing illustrates what it looks like to be laid off at the top of your backswing. I compare that swing to Sergio, an elite pro who is regularly accused of being laid off at the top. But is he?
Check The Shaft Plane When Your Left Arm Is Parallel
At this point in the backswing, we like an extension of the club shaft pointing near the ball like Sergio does.
In my swing though, you can see a shaft angle that is pointed well outside the ball.
Does Sergio Really Lay It Off
The shortness of Sergio’s backswing creates a bit of an optical illusion.
It appears he is laid off at the top but upon closer inspection we can see that the laying off of the shaft really starts as he transitions into the downswing. The laying off of his shaft in transition is simply more pronounced than most golfers, not unique.
Laid Off Requires Progressive Shaft Steeping During The Downswing
The key to making Sergio’s “excessive” laying off in transition work and the actually excessive laying off in my own swing is illustrated during the downswing. Good to elite ball strikers almost always steepen the shaft during the downswing. This move is a basic necessity and can be very challenging for golfers that don’t do it naturally.
