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BackswingDriving Driver Beginner ⏱ 10 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

How to Shorten Your Driver Backswing with Alex Fortey

Trying to copy the long backswing of Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson costs most golfers distance. Alex Fortey, from The Art of Simple Golf, suggests a shorter backswing with the driver, built from the address position and an arm motion. The shoulders still rotate, but without you having to force it.

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Alex Fortey
Alex Fortey · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

9 minSame problemAlignment Rod and Swing Plane: The Complete ExerciseSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate2 minSame problemCollin Morikawa: The "Glove Under the Arm" DrillCollin Morikawa · Beginner / Intermediate5 minFrom the same proGolf step drill: a shorter, rhythmic backswingAlex Fortey · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

According to Alex Fortey, the driver goes farther and straighter when you hits the center of the clubface, not when you're focusing on speed or the sequence. Heel strikes are costly, and they often result from over-rotating the shoulders, especially as the body becomes less flexible with age. So he wants a shorter winding, which respects the player’s natural abilities. It all starts at address: about 60% of your weight on the back foot, spine nearly vertical, upper body tilted in an “inverted K” shape, right hand sliding along the thigh and then under the grip.

The backswing can then be summed up in one motion: Raise your right arm to the side, the left hand joins it, and the left arm remains almost straight. Check your form: hands slightly away from the body, head centered, and the tip of the grip pointing toward the ball. The backswing takes the club a little further. On the downswing, you Throw the club with your right hand, like a stone skipping across the water with a low hand position, and your body responds. Power tip: As you lower yourself, push your legs upward and toward the target, without rotating your hips in place.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. At the address, shift about 60% of your weight to the back and lean your upper body backward.
  2. Place your right hand on your thigh, slide it down, and then grasp the grip from below.
  3. Without a club, raise your right arm to the side without straining, and bring your left hand up to meet it.
  4. When swinging the club, keep your stance wide, keep your head centered, and make sure the tip of the grip is pointing toward the ball.
  5. Let your arms hang down, then swing the club with your right hand, letting your body follow through.
  6. At the start of the downswing, push your legs upward and toward the target.
  7. Start by hitting the ball at about 60% of your speed to find the center of the clubface.

Key Takeaways

Hitting the center of the clubface produces more distance than trying to generate speed.
Trying to achieve a wide rotation often results in heel strikes.
Stance: About 60% of your weight on your back foot, upper body leaning forward, right hand under the grip.
The backswing: the right arm moves up alongside the body, and the left hand follows.
Check: The tip of the grip points toward the ball, with your hands slightly away from your body.
Swing the club with your right hand and push your legs upward.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Trying to turn your shoulders as far as possible even though your body won't allow it.
  • Standing too upright at address: you tense up and lift the club, resulting in a swing that’s too vertical.
  • Shift your weight away from the ball during the backswing to complete the rotation.
  • Rotate your hips in place instead of pushing with your legs.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Repetition without a club: right arm at your side, left hand coming up to meet it
  2. Half-swinges up to the check point, with the end of the grip facing the ball
  3. Small, steady swings using leg drive and a right-hand follow-through
  4. Drive at 60% speed while aiming for the center of the clubface

Your Questions

Is it really important not to turn your shoulders away from the driver?

Alex Fortey doesn't eliminate rotation: the shoulders rotate enough, but without trying to do so. He replaces the idea of “rotating” with a shorter, arm-led coiling motion.

What is the checkpoint of the backswing?

Keep your hands slightly away from your body, your head centered, and the tip of the grip pointing toward the ball. The swing doesn't stop there; the momentum carries the club a little further.

How should you position yourself at the address for this backswing?

About 60% of the weight is on the back side, with the spine nearly vertical and the upper body leaning backward. The right hand slides down the thigh and then grasps the grip from below.

Where does the power of this method come from?

A right-handed swing followed by a push from the legs upward and toward the target at the start of the downswing. Alex Fortey notes that this motion is also suitable for older golfers.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Driving” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Tommy Fleetwood's Precision Drive: The Safe TeeTo find the fairway, Fleetwood maintains his tee height, holds the club in the air, widens his stance, and hits over a tee placed behind the ball. 5 Pro Tips from Tommy Fleetwood: From the Drive to the GreenFive habits from the Tour: placing the tee in front of the ball when using a driver, no calling out shots with irons, planning chip shots in advance, keeping a distance log, and reviewing the round afterward. Collin Morikawa and Dustin Johnson's fade with the driverAim to the left, don't force the spin, a clubface that doesn't rotate on the upswing, and a single starting line at the top: Morikawa and DJ's fade. Alex ForteyAll of his lessons

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

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