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BackswingDrivingClub Position Relative to the BallSwing and Swing Plane All clubs Beginner ⏱ 9 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Clubface at the Start of the Backswing: Keep It Looking at the Ball

The first few centimeters of the backswing often determine the rest of the swing. Simon Camirand offers a simple guideline: when your hands pass your back thigh, the clubface should still be pointing at the ball.

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Simon Camirand
Simon Camirand · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.
Schedule · Step 3 of 7A Consistent Swing in 7 StepsConsidered successful when: Standing in front of a mirror, your face is looking at the ball as your hands pass your thigh—10 times out of 10.
Step 4 →

To be continued

2 minSame problemA Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Backswing: Raphaël Jacquelin's MethodRaphaël Jacquelin · Beginner2 minSame problemCollin Morikawa: The "Glove Under the Arm" DrillCollin Morikawa · Beginner / Intermediate5 minFrom the same proSeated Torso Rotation: Simon Camirand's StretchSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

A common mistake, according to Simon Camirand: Open the clubface as soon as the swing begins by rotating the hands. A few centimeters from the ball, the clubface is no longer pointing at the ball but toward the sky; the elbow bends, and the club becomes horizontal. The backswing then becomes too flat, and on the downswing, the body has to “straighten up” to get back to the ball, at the expense of contact.

The key: Let your body turn, but make sure that When the hands extend past the back thigh, the face is still pointing at the ball. From this position, it’s easy to return to the point of impact. You incorporate it in stages: a quarter swing with a pause and control, then a swing, without worrying about contact. Next, a full swing, pausing at the same point before continuing toward the right shoulder. He notes a secondary effect: a stable face, the shoulders are turned at a greater angle and less horizontally. This principle applies to everything from the wedge to the driver.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. At address, make sure your face is aligned with the ball and the target.
  2. Start by rotating your torso, without turning your hands.
  3. Stop when your hands extend past your back thigh, and make sure your face is still facing the ball.
  4. Come down from that quarter-swing and hit the ball—don't worry about making contact.
  5. Practice a few swings, then take a full swing, stopping at the same point each time.
  6. From this point, continue rotating and bring the club over your right shoulder.
  7. Lower yourself back down and strike while maintaining the sensation of a stable stance.

Key Takeaways

Opening the clubface right from the start makes the swing too flat.
Reference point: hands at the level of the back thigh, facing the ball.
The body rotates; the hands do not rotate the club.
A stable face early in the swing means no compensating in the downswing.
A stable face and angled shoulders go hand in hand.
The same principle applies to all clubs.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Turn your hands at the start: palms facing up.
  • Bend your elbow immediately and bring the club down horizontally.
  • Shoulders that turn flat, driven by the open clubface.
  • Evaluate the drill based on ball contact rather than on feel.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Swing quarters with a controlled stop at the back thigh
  2. Full swings, stopping at the same point
  3. The same technique applies to the wedge, the iron, and the driver
  4. On the course: a slow practice swing to check the clubface at the start

Your Questions

Where should I check my clubface at the start of the swing?

When your hands are just past the back of your thigh—the right thigh for a right-hander—Simon Camirand wants the clubface to still be pointing at the ball at that moment, not at the sky.

Why does an open face early in the swing hurt the downswing?

The club becomes horizontal, and the swing is too flat. On the downswing, the body must then bring the club back to a vertical position to reach the ball, which makes making contact more difficult.

My shoulders move differently with this exercise—is that normal?

Yes. The video explains that a stable face position is accompanied by shoulders that rotate at a greater angle, whereas an open face position causes them to rotate horizontally.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Driving” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Club Position Relative to the Ball” →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Swing and Swing Plane” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Alignment Rod and Swing Plane: The Complete ExerciseAn alignment rod extending from the club shaft, pointing toward a line of clubs on the ground at the halfway point of the backswing and downswing: a reference point for the plane, the path, and the wrists. A Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Backswing: Raphaël Jacquelin's MethodTwo-step backswing—body first, then club: left shoulder behind the ball, right hand flat against the right thigh, club shaft pointing toward the ball at the halfway point. Hitter vs. Thrower Swing: The Real DifferencesCompare the swing of someone who hits the ball with someone who throws it to the target: intent changes the setup, the move, the release and the finish; change the start and the end. Simon CamirandAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Simon Camirand). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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