One Simple Key to Fix Your Takeaway

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In this video, I’ll show you the one swing change that’ll fix your takeaway once and for all. You’ll find out how taking your club too far to the inside makes it tougher to square up at impact and how to get the right amount of cupping in your left wrist for the perfect takeaway. Check out this video now to fix your takeaway and increase consistency!

  1. Keep some cup in the left wrist for proper takeaway. 
  2. Right wrist remains fairly flat in the takeaway. 
  3. Use torso to rotate the body in the takeaway.


I've got one question for you all today: how many of you out there are struggling taking the club out to the inside here in the takeaway? You've tried everything, you've heard all the tips and tricks, but nothing seems to work for you. Well, I've got great news for you. I've got one very simple move that's going to help you to get rid of this once and for all, and it's very, very easy to do. So let's go ahead and get started.

First to get started, let's go ahead and talk about why taking the club back to the inside is a negative thing. What I mean by taking your club back to the inside is if we do everything ideally, as the club's parallel to the ground in the takeaway, the club is going to be parallel with my target line. You can see I have a stick down here on the ground, representing where I'm going to be hitting the ball in the distance towards the right side of this fairway. As my club is parallel with the ground again during the takeaway, I want the club to be parallel with the stick, or as close as I can to it. Now, if I get the club going to the inside at this point, and pulling the club back to the inside, now I'm searching for this square path all the way throughout the rest of my swing. I get started offline and now I spend the rest of my swing starting to get back to where I was at address. That an lead to a lot of inconsistency.

Now, I have one really good tip for you guys that's going to help you eliminate this forever. If I go ahead and face you from the face-on angle, we'll see that at address, my left wrist has a little bit of a cup in it. My left wrist is not perfectly flat, and that's okay. That's good. That's what you want it to be at address. Now as I set up here as if I'm setting a ball this way, all I want to do is maintain that slight cup in my left wrist all throughout the takeaway, and really use the core or my torso to rotate the club and my hands and arms and everything back. So here I'm going to maintain that cup in my left wrist. I'm using my chest and my core to rotate the club back, and you'll notice that I've kept that. Now the club is perfectly on line.

Now, what I see a lot of people do, is they think they need to keep this left wrist flat during the takeaway or get it flat during the takeaway. You end up doing something like this. Now you can see that this is almost a little bit bowed. The second thing that you can key in on is the right wrist is now very cupped. So incorrectly, I'm going to go ahead and do the takeaway. My left wrist is flat or even a little bit bowed. My right wrist is cupping. The correct motion, I'm going to maintain a little bit of cupping in my left wrist and use my torso to rotate the club back. Now everything's nicely on plane, and my right wrist is really nice and flat. So really focus in on that. Make sure that you keep a little bit of cupping in the left wrist. As we go all the way to the top of the backswing, that left wrist will flatten out so it's gradually flattening out throughout the entire takeaway and backswing. But we want to make sure that we keep a little bit of that cupping action in there all the way through the takeaway so that you're staying on plane the entire time.

Try that out, I guarantee that'll help you to make your takeaway more on plane, and help you to get some overall consistency in your golf game.

Now, for those of you that are premium members, there's a couple videos that you can watch that are even going to help to further solidify this. The first one the Bucket Drill, and that's going to take what you've learned about the left wrist today, incorporate that into the bucket drill, and that's really going to help you get an overall very solid motion with your torso and your hands and arms working together. Also watch the right wrist in the takeaway, another fantastic drill to help you to really, really solidify that takeaway motion. Watch those two videos, those'll really help you out. I wish you guys the best of luck this year, have a great year with your golf. Play the best golf of your life, and start by solidifying that takeaway to improve your consistency. I'll see you soon.

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Eric
I struggle with a proper takeaway, even though the 2” shoulder glide seems so simple. Even if I do a perfect takeaway my right arm takes over like i’m Starting a lawn mower. I can also get out of sync with my hands and arms moving faster than my body. Something that I saw on RST, but I can’t find again is the hands one inch apart or book drill, where is that? Focusing on keeping my hands even has multiple controls on my swing. I try to weight shift and start my swing with momentum and keep the hand one inch apart in my head (although my hands are gripping the club). It tends to cause external rotation in my wrists, forearms, and upper arms, and synchronization between my hands, arms and body. Does that make sense?
November 1, 2018
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Eric. There has too be some slight forearm rotation. It is a very small amount. But, I understand beating the lawn mower move is tough. You'll get there. Start small with the 5 Minutes to Master Rotation, and build up to the Role of the Right Arm (longer version of the inch apart hand drill).
November 1, 2018
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T David
Great video here. I noticed something that helps me with swing plane is to start the turn of the hip at the start of the takeaway by moving right back pocket behind me, along with the weight shift to the right heel.. Helps with lag and making a full rotation at the top. Does this make sense? Any gotcha to watch out for?
March 7, 2017
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. Sounds like you are taking advice from the How to Swing from the Ground Up Video. If your move is similar to that video. All should be well.
March 8, 2017
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Greg
Hi Aaron, Is the idea to just rotate the upper torso and the arms and hands do nothing?
October 31, 2016
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Aaron (Certified RST Instructor)
not quite. If you do that the hands will go low and a round you...makes sense if they aren't doing anything. So they do need to elevate from the shoulders. It is kindof a "rub the belly pat the head" feeling. Rotation, and elevation, married together to great a rotary plane.
November 1, 2016
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Russel
Hi Craig, so I know you guys want no movement from the wrists during the takeaway. Does this just mean no hinging? I am not sure if right from the very start I can start rolling my wrists to maintain the cup in the left wrist. Or if I should be taking the club back in one piece until it reaches about the thigh and then start rolling the wrists.
June 15, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Russel. There is very minimal rotation in the wrist/forearms in the takeaway. The vast majority will take place from the takeaway to the top. Yes, you want to shy away from excessive hinging back or early setting of the wrist. Should be a more one piece feeling. Take a look at Move 1 or the Pushing from the Left Side Video.
June 15, 2016
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Gary
Do you have a key to start the takeaway. I've been working with the drills but I get really stuck with the right shoulder pull swing thought at times. Thanks Gary
June 10, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. You may use the weight transfer to help start the takeaway. A trigger to help start momentum. Take a look at the Winter Series Setup Video.
June 10, 2016
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Gary
Thanks Craig...I'll give that a try
June 10, 2016
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Bill
Thank you Clay - your tip on the left wrist was priceless to me!!!! I just became a new premium member last week. My natural shot is a draw, but for a number of years now I have been "getting stuck" and then hitting many big pushes and even more snap hooks. In front of a mirror I tried your tip and I can't wait to work hard on this move on the range. I was straightening my left wrist before I got the club parallel to the ground - on my initial takeaway! I now know and can see and feel that I was not letting my torso get me to this correct position. I am a male 65 yrs. old and have played golf for 51 yrs. Thank you and everyone at Rotary Golf. I could not be happier with my decision to become a member.
March 27, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Bill. Appreciate the post and compliments of our site. We are happy to have you here and look forward to helping move your game forward. We are always here if you have any questions or need help along the way.
March 28, 2016
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Sean
I have been struggling with getting the club inside on the takeaway for a long time. I don't realize it until I see video and its difficult because I try to completely relax my arms and hands and just use my body to rotate. The cupping of the left wrist makes sense to help with this but I was also wanted to know if keeping the arms straight could help this issue as well. Problem with keeping the arms straight is I feel to rigid and not relaxed which I know cant be a good thing. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks
February 15, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Sean. The trail arm needs to stay straight, but not rigid and locked. I want you to work on the 2 inch hand drill in the Role of the Right Arm Video maintaining the gap and fingertip length. You should be able to keep it fairly relaxed. Also, make sure your trail elbow is in the proper position. Right Elbow Pit Video.
February 16, 2016
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Loran
What does the cupping of the wrists help, exactly?
September 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. Maintaining a little cup in the wrist keeps the club from rotating inside too quickly. Overly bowing the lead wrist which could lead to a shut club face at the top. The club would be hinging back on the trail wrist excessively. Leads to more of a lifting move to the top.
September 24, 2015
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Mitchell
Can someone point me towards a video or instruction that talks more about flattening out the left hand on the takeaway. Here Clay talks about the left hand gradually flattening out. Of course I understand it needs to start cupped by the natural way you set up.
August 24, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mitchell. Using the Wrists Effectively and Efficiently in the Introduction Advanced Section.
August 24, 2015
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Steven
Gents, At take away the position of my arms left arm is disconnected from my torso and the club face is closed. I've been fighting early extension (throwing hips at ball on down swing) for years and I'm curious if this is a potential root cause. If so, why?
August 10, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Steven. It could be a little bit of the cause. When the lead arm gets disconnected early and the face is shut. The arms tend to take over the rest of the backswing. Now, you are in a position that hasn't loaded or used any big muscles in the backswing. Therefore, when you try to add speed on the downswing with the body. The arms get jammed. The hips move forward steepening the shaft to create a chance for impact. If you were properly loaded going back and connected, it wouldn't require massive hip motion in an effort to get speed or clear room.
August 10, 2015
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Jason
I have strengthened the grip a little bit when I take it back using my right hand to hold the left wrist, and rotate, I think I'm keeping enough cup in that left wrist; however, I cannot get that club face to be toe up unless I do some "manual" wrist rotation. Then it feels like my "watch" on the left hand would be more slightly skyward than it was at address is this the correct motion?
July 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jason. You have to allow for some forearm rotation in the takeaway. It goes from cupped to a little less cupped. Easy to see in the Using the Wrist Effectively and Efficiently Video Introduction Advanced Section. Also, try the Bucket Drill in the Takeaway Section.
July 29, 2015
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Manuel
Hello, when should I start to RFE on my takeaway? Parallel to the ground on the takeaway? Thanks!!!
July 7, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hell Manny. You will always be rotating. The there is slight elevation in the takeaway, but the vast majority from parallel takeaway position with the club. Flexion will happen late in the swing around where the lead arm starts to get parallel to the ground.
July 8, 2015
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Lee
I am really struggling with consistency with my takeaway, I had it perfect last week, lost it this week and I am not manipulating to get it back. One common theme seems to be a closed club face by the time the club is parallel to the ground, this is even with me trying to keep the slight cup in the left wrist. My great or otherwise position at the top seems to depend on this but I just can't seem to get it. Any advice?
June 10, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lee. I think you answered your own question. Go back to the Thumbnail Video. Check to see the trail hand isn't shutting the face.
June 11, 2015
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Lee
Actually, unleash your thumbnail video, I was working along with that video last week and totally forgot, maybe that helped keep me on track.
June 10, 2015
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Lee
Craig, that video 100% helped, went out this morning and shot a lifetime best 5 over. Unbelievable happy with that.
June 12, 2015
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Loran
What is the purpose of the wrist set in the takeaway?
June 4, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Wrist set in the takeaway starts to help with a little vertical motion.
June 4, 2015
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Tushar
Thank you Craig!! Just this one simple key and short video has brought all of the take away together for me. Maintaining the cup causes my wrist to behave and the shoulder turn using the principles taught by Chuck occurs as it should. It has become my trigger for the back swing - cup, shoulder glide, weight onto inside of right ankle.....
June 3, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tushar. Great! Glad to see you are learning and getting the new principles down.
June 3, 2015
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Loran
In the takeaway, the stopping point of the parallel line would be the crease of the pants, correct? Or slightly forward?
May 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
You want the hands inline with the trail pocket when the club is parallel to the ground.
May 29, 2015
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Loran
What happens when I take it past the pocket to the crease of my pants?
May 30, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
If you take it past that point and the club is parallel to the ground when reaching said point. It means you have either set the wrist to quickly or added too much elevation.
May 30, 2015
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Kevin J
Hi. I'm trying to correct my inside takeaway and swing. When I work on the correct takeaway, my swing feels "weak" and I'm having trouble making solid contact especially the Driver. I was working on some 3/4 swings today, and kept hitting the driver very high on the face and toward the heel. Any suggestions? Thanks, Kevin
May 23, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Kevin. I don't know if the inside takeaway is the exact culprit for the driver. However, high on the face/heel could be the weight hanging back and adding too much secondary tilt.
May 23, 2015
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Tim
where search box to find these videos?
February 6, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Tim. At the top right of the page just under Testimonials and RST Golf Videos you will find the search box.
February 6, 2015
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David
If I keep my left wrist cupped and facing away from me the club head is closed at waist level. The only way I have suceeded in squaring the club is by rotating my left forearm so that back of my left hand faces up. I know this is wrong so I wonder what the problem could be. It looks easy in the video but I can't replicate the movement. Any thoughts?
September 5, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. Take a look at the Unleash Your Thumbnail for Power Video in the Advanced Takeaway Section and the Using the Wrist Efficiently Video in the Advanced Introduction Section. They will aid in teaching the proper amount of rotation that occurs in the takeaway before you get into over rotating with the left.
September 5, 2014
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Brian
If you grip club with nuetral grip isn't your left wrist already cupped. Or do I cup left wrist by moving logo on glove club toward my wrist? And if so how much? Does cupping the left wrist cause the face of club to open or close any. Thanks
September 1, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
If you grip with a neutral grip you will lose most of the cupping. We promote just slightly stronger than neutral. The club should be setup square as the grip is applied. The cupping shouldn't change the nature of open or closed at setup. Take a look at the Golf Grip How To Video in the Setup Section.
September 1, 2014
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joseph
are you saying there is a slight cup in the right wrist at the top of the back swing
August 18, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Joseph. At the top of the backswing (for righty), there is a little set and a little hinge. Left flat and a little angle in the right. Take a look at the Using the Wrist Efficiently Video in the Advanced Introduction Section.
August 18, 2014
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joseph
sorry what i ment was the left wrist slightly cupped at the top of the swing
August 19, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
The Left Wrist from Start to Finish. Small cup, slight cup, then no cup (flat left wrist).
August 19, 2014
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rodney
Is it palmar flexion in left hand that causes the cupping to flatten out?
September 3, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rodney. The wrist does have some palmer flexion, but the majority of flattening out is because of the right wrist set/hinge at the top. Combined the the proper left forearm (pronation) rotation going back.
September 3, 2014
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ralph
I noticed that one of the teachers draws a plane line from the bottom of the shaft thru to the elbow and beyond. I was under the impression that the plane line is drawn up the shaft of the club. Please clarify
August 3, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Ralph. The plane line should be drawn from the club to the right elbow. We have a great video on youtube explaining the principle. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zqL_jV88ps
August 3, 2014
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David
Great coaching cue! Looking forward to trying this out.
June 7, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Good luck. This video has already helped out a lot of our members.
June 7, 2014
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judd
agreed....great drill - thank you. I noticed immediately a different feeling on the takeaway and felt like my right arm was also staying straighter...not collapsing or getting pinned against my right side....as far as taking it to the course, would you recommend a Mike Weir-type of pre-shot rehearsal?
June 6, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Mike has a very wristy takeaway. If you would like to have a little pre-shot rehearsal. Make sure you do it with rotation and check the positions.
June 6, 2014
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John
This drill is helping immensely... My take away has always been faulted way too inside... I turn my hands over exactly like he shows and its a huge problem with my game. This drill is great. I have been just working on takeaways every morning in my living room. Here's hoping my work on the range this afternoon goes well! Thanks!
June 5, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey John, good luck on the range! Sounds like your on the right track.
June 5, 2014
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marc
Sounds like exactly what we went over during my in person lesson. Folks, it works.
June 4, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Marc. Thanks for the good feedback and glad this drill is helping your takeaway.
June 5, 2014
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Joe
What happened to the shoulder blade glide?
June 4, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
The shoulder blade glide is still the key to making a good rotation and efficient takeaway. Some people just allow the left wrist to break down early on in their rotation to a completed takeaway position.
June 5, 2014
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Matthew
I was wondering the same thing because in the video it says to rotate with "your chest and core." The way it's stored in my mind right now, you start the rotation off with the shoulder blade glide having your chest and core completely passive. As I rotate back, the core incrementally engages due to me keeping my left knee from kicking in (left knee laser beam video). In this sense, I imagine my core to be like a Bowflex weight machine elastic -- it starts off tension-free and then gradually builds until it reaches it maximum stretch. Does this sound right to you?
June 11, 2015
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Louis
I'm a little confused with the sequencing in the takeaway backswing.....I think the shoulder blade glide kind of gets it started (but still part of the core) and the obliques (master rotation) start to pull back to cener as the right shoulder finds it's limit. ,
July 5, 2015
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kathy
Just came in from playing golf and here was your video describing exactly what I was doing wrong . . Going over parallel line to the inside and bowing my wrist during the takeaway .This video was very helpful , with good explanations
June 4, 2014
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Glad you enjoyed the video Kathy!
June 5, 2014

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