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BackswingFairway Woods Wood Intermediate ⏱ 5 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Fairway Woods: Keep the Club Low in the Takeaway

The 3-wood and 5-wood (without a tee) are among the hardest clubs to make solid contact with. David Bobrowski, a coach with the Frenchy Golfeur channel, offers just one piece of advice—which should be followed meticulously: let the club skim the ground a little longer at the start of the backswing.

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David Bobrowski
David Bobrowski · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

2 minSame problemJustin Rose's ball drill: rotating without liftingJustin Rose · Intermediate16 minSame problemJon Rahm's Short Driver Backswing ExplainedJon Rahm · Intermediate / Expert8 minFrom the same proFinish Position in Golf: What It Reveals About Your SwingDavid Bobrowski · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Why this advice? With an iron, you can go on the offensive straight down To compress the ball—ball, then ground. With a 3-wood, you're looking to more roundness and width, and a less downward angle of attack: the club must come back more flat.

Everything is set up right from the start: during the first few centimeters of the backswing, you let Keep the clubhead close to the ground as you swing, instead of getting up early. Note that this doesn't involve bending over or moving around: you stay centered, at the same angles, without standing up. David Bobrowski returns there every time he gets lost with his wood, starting with small movements before striking.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Take your usual stance in front of the ball with your fairway wood.
  2. Start your backswing by letting the clubhead skim the ground for the first few centimeters as you rotate.
  3. Make sure you stay centered and that your angles don't change.
  4. Make small back-and-forth movements, keeping the club close to the ground, to get a feel for this width.
  5. Perform a full swing while maintaining the same feel.

Key Takeaways

Iron: a downward stroke to compress. Wood: more width and roundness.
With the wood, the clubhead comes back more horizontally, at a shallower angle.
During the first few centimeters of the backswing, the club is close to the ground.
Keep your posture: don't stand up straight, and don't bend down until you're almost touching the ground.
We stay centered, without moving our bodies.
Lifting the club too early hinders the follow-through.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Hit the ball from top to bottom, just as you would with an iron.
  • Lifting the club too early in the backswing.
  • Bend down or move to keep the club on the ground.
  • Stand up straight in the backswing.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Small movements, a club that skims the ground
  2. Comparing iron and wood: direct attack, then a flatter stroke
  3. Full swings while maintaining the angles
  4. Repeat as soon as the woods become out of tune

Your Questions

Why does the start of the backswing change when using a fairway wood?

Because the desired angle of attack is less steep than with an iron. By letting the club skim the ground at the start of the swing, David Bobrowski creates the width that brings the club back in a flatter plane.

Do we have to compromise to keep the club afloat?

No. You stay centered in your stance, without bending over or moving. The club simply stays closer to the ground for a little longer.

How many centimeters above the ground should you mow?

The video discusses the first few centimeters of the backswing, as long as it doesn't cause you to lose your body angles.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Fairway wood” 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. Clubface at the Start of the Backswing: Keep It Looking at the BallAt the start of the backswing, the clubface should still be looking at the ball when your hands pass your back thigh; otherwise the swing gets too flat. Hitting Your Hybrid: Aim for a tee in front of the ballAgainst the top and hybrid-style chicken wing: keep your chest facing the ground and the clubhead close to the ground until you reach a tee placed in front of the ball. David BobrowskiAll of his lessons

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

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