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I'm trying to shorten my backswing to make better contact. It seems most of my problems lie when I start my downswing so I am trying to keep the club on plane with a shorter backswing.

Any tips to help me out? Anyone else had sucess doing this?

Not trying to be a smart *** here, but if you want a shorter backswing, don't take it so far back. Think 3/4 swing. Have somebody watch your swing, and I bet even when you're thinking 3/4, you taking it back a lot farther then you think. If you really want a 3/4 swing think 1/2.

if you keep your upper arms connected to your chest(towel drill) and your right elbow fairly close to your right side, you'll find that it's much harder to overswing. one of the most difficult parts of shortening the swing is getting your timing down and not to jump on the ball (being too quick).this will take some practice on the transition part. the one swing thought to concentrate on is smooth acceleration from the top. this will help keep your head steadier through-out the shot.

When I try to shorten the backswing I loose my tempo and ball striking goes down the tube. So I am stuck with my long back swing except for the weges.

Try making your swing flatter. That works for me.

Just don't swing as hard. The problem is that when you have a long backswing and try to shorten it, you feel like you're not going to get as much power, so you take the club about about half way back (or what feels like half way to you) and then you try to aggressively go at the ball and that will ***** your rythmn and timing up. If you just make some very smooth swings until you get used to the idea of not coming back so far and actually prove to yourself that you'll not lose any distance (in fact you might gain some) you'll be fine.

I'm doing the same thing
shorter swing - better plane and more consistant plane

I have tried the left arm against the chest thing , didnt work ... though
it helped when I added some hip turn


but the whole key was ::::

stop lifting the arms

make a takeaway with arms ... then stop and finish your turn with your torso
it works and it works very well

I had a little forward dip with my head when I continued lifting my arms
that is being eliminated as well

I have never hit the ball so pure with this ' shorter swing '
btw you lose no distance , you actually gain some especially with the irons and into the wind

I agree 100% with the above. Do not lunge at the ball. Keep your head behind the ball during your swing. That goes for full swings too, and it is one of the most important 'power-keys'. It may not feel powerful, but it is!

I have to agree with the first comment. Last year I had a very talented friend watch me hit at the range. He said I was going way past parallel. He told me to try a 3/4 swing. I took a 3/4 at the next ball, hit it great. He told me that it was a full swing! I found it hard to believe.

Somehow I've managed to let the overextended backswing into my swing again. I'll be thinking 3/4 swing this week and hopefully it'll sink it.

I'm committed to shortening my swing this year. I've been overswinging for far too long (no pun intended). I can hit it a mile, but never straight, which kills my score.
Any other drills or suggestions would be much appreciated.