Backswing Arm Width: Weighted Ball Drill
Curated PGA Drill by Adam Bazalgette
Backswing
10 slow backswing rehearsals without a club, checking chest clearance at the top
Small weighted ball or tennis ball (no club required)
Beginner
Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)
Width in the backswing is defined by arm stability—keeping the distance between your elbows at the top similar to address. Placing a small weighted ball between the forearms prevents the elbows from pulling apart or collapsing, while keeping the ball away from your shirt ensures the arms maintain proper structure and radius away from the torso.
How to Perform the Drill
Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.
Take a small weighted ball (or tennis/Pilates ball) and place it between your arms, just below your elbows (1:58-2:03).
Without using a club, make several rehearsal backswings (2:04-2:09).
Focus on keeping the ball secure between your arms throughout the movement to prevent your elbows from spreading apart.
Important: Ensure the ball is not pressed against your body; keep it slightly away from your shirt to maintain proper spacing and width (2:10-2:13).
Hold the top position for 2 seconds to feel the structured spacing between your chest and arms, then reset. (Option 2: Use the Hand-to-Hand Connection exercise if no ball is available).
What Good Feels Like
Feel the forearms gently clamp the ball while maintaining space between the ball and your chest as you turn back.
- Ball remains secure between the forearms throughout the full backswing
- Clear visual gap between the ball and your shirt at the top of the turn
- Elbows maintain consistent spacing from address to the top
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Pressing the ball firmly against the chest or shirt instead of maintaining arm radius
- Letting the elbows spread apart and dropping the ball at the top of the backswing
- Squeezing the ball so tightly that the shoulders tense up and restrict rotation
Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed
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