A golf swing consists of several elements, all of which are essential to accurately striking the ball time and time again. The backswing, or takeaway, is the first part of a golf swing, and in large part determines the overall quality of your swing and ball contact. Once you begin your takeaway, it is difficult to adjust or correct your swing, so it is important to know how to draw the club back properly.
Rotation
You must rotate your body -- namely your torso -- to take the club away during a backswing. The manner in which you rotate the torso determines the plane the club moves along. Finding the correct plane is vital in setting up your downward stroke. To keep the club on the right plane, form a triangle with your arms, shoulder and chest when setting up to the ball. As you pull the club back, rotate your shoulders and draw your left shoulder into your chin. Most of the rotation in the torso must come from your shoulders. Your chest and trunk should also rotate but not as much as your shoulders.
Arms and Wrists
If you're a right-handed golfer, keep your left arm completely straight throughout the entire backswing and downward stroke. Tuck your right elbow into your side, and bend your right arm as your bring the club back. Your left wrist should be hinged at all times during the drawback to help keep the club on its plane. The further your rotate back during the takeaway, the more difficult it becomes to maintain a straight left arm with the right elbow tucked in and left wrist hinged. Rotate your shoulders only to a point that allows you to maintain this form. Shorten your swing if any of these three elements breaks down.
Backswing Length
Some golfers believe that long backswings produce long shots. A long backswing, however, makes maintaining good form more difficult and thereby creates a higher risk of something going wrong during your swing. Shorter backswings, and a more compact swing overall, is easier to control and improves your chances of consistently making good contact with the ball. It is not necessary for you to bring your golf club to parallel with the ground when drawing it back. Golf club technology has made it possible to hit balls considerable distances with abbreviated swings.
Heel Lift
For some golfers, fully rotating the shoulders away from the hips is difficult and puts strain on the lower back and midsection. To help alleviate some of this strain and still complete a full shoulder rotation during your backswing, slightly lift your left heel off the ground if you are right-handed. Keep your left leg relaxed and let the rotation and movement of your upper body create the lift in the heel. Don't push off with your toes in an effort to bring the heel up. This only disrupts the natural flow of your backswing.
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