When you are faced with a lie that won’t let you take your normal stance, use these Golf Swing Tips for How to Hit a Backhander. Just about every round or two, I’m looking at a lie where I have to swing like a lefty with my righty clubs. Mike Davis shows us a better way in this article on Golf Magazine’s website. Davis is one of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Instructors in America. The next time you have a “wrong-way” lie, remember these Golf Swing Tips for How to Hit a Backhander.
This story is for you if…
• When your ball stops near a wall or shrubs that prevent you from taking your stance on the proper side of the ball, you have no idea what to do.
Golf Swing Tips for How to Hit a Backhander
What It Is
An abrupt punch you hit with your back facing the target.
When to Use It
Any time you can’t take your normal right-handed stance. You could opt to hit this left-handed with the club flipped upside-down, but this swing gives you a little more pop (expect a good 20 yards from a decent strike) and is easier to execute because you use your dominant hand.
HOW TO HIT IT
Step 1
Choose one of your wedges (these have the largest faces and you’ll benefit from a broader hitting area since you won’t be looking at the ball during contact).
Step 2
Turn your back to the target, stand about six inches to the left of the ball and grip your wedge with your right hand only in the middle of the handle. Flip your club around so that it faces the target and rests on its toe.
Step 3
Cock your club up by bending your right elbow (keep your upper arm as still as possible). Add just a touch of wrist hinge.
Step 4
Straighten your arm and slap the clubhead into the back of the ball. Make sure you accelerate all the way to the ball so that the club doesn’t flip past your hands.
I don’t like to remember how many times I’ve had to do this — I’ve always ended up taking a left-handed swing, trying to hit with the toe of the club. And the result has always been to just dribble it a few feet. But, at least I got it out to where it was possible to take a normal swing.
I did practice this “backhanded” swing a few times the last time I was at the driving range, and I succeeded in whacking it 10-15 yards — not quite as much as Davis said, but a heckuva lot better than my typical few feet. I think with a little more practice this will be an easy shot, and will be a great improvement over previous results.
Practice this and add these Golf Swing Tips for How to Hit a Backhander to your arsenal of shots — you’ll be glad you did.
Had you ever heard of making such a shot before?
