What Is An Inside Takeaway In The Putting Stroke?
Inside takeaway means that your putter moves inside the target line, relative to its natural arc, as you take your backstroke.
How It Affects Your Golf Putts
- Off-Center Contact
An inside takeaway makes center contact inconsistent as the putter goes off the natural path. - Off-Line Starts
An inside takeaway changes your stroke path and can lead to pushed or pulled putts based on impact position. - Poor Face Control
Your putterface opens during an inside takeaway. It can be difficult to return a square face at impact from there. - Unsteady Roll
An inside takeaway also makes the roll unstable because the stroke path can add spin to the putt and even change shaft angle at impact.
What Causes An Inside Takeaway?
- Early Forearm Rotation
Rolling your forearms pulls the putter inside during the backstroke. - Wrist Flexion
If your wrists flex at the start of the stroke, the putter can go inside the correct path. - Shoulder Rotation
Rotating your shoulders instead of rocking them pulls the putter inside in the backstroke. - Poor Eye Line
If your eyes are too far inside the ball, you might perceive the correct line as being to the right of where it actually is. When this happens, you instinctively move the putter inside in order to push the ball toward the target on the through-stroke. - Poor Eye Line
If your eyes are aligned too far over or outside the ball, you might perceive the correct line to the left of where it really is. When this happens, you align the putter to the left, then instinctively take it back inside and push the ball onto the correct line. - Ball Too Far Back
A back ball position shifts your arc toward your trail foot. The takeaway follows that arc and the putter moves inside.
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What Other Faults Does An Inside Takeaway Cause?
- Wrist Flexion Through Impact
An inside takeaway can cause wrist flexion because your wrists try to bring the putter back squarely to the ball. - Looping Transition
An inside takeaway can force an over-the-top recovery that moves the putter outside during the transition. - Heel Strikes
An inside takeaway paired with an over-the-top through-stroke often causes strikes on the heel.
Putting Cues & Feels
- Feel the putter head move straight back for the first few inches.
- Keep your forearms quiet and rotation-free at the start.
- Let your shoulders rock the putter in a pendulum-like motion.
Putting Adaptations
- Stand a little taller to help your shoulders rock.
- Use a thicker grip to reduce hand action.
- Move the ball slightly forward to promote a straighter takeaway.
FAQs About Inside Takeaway in Putting
How do I check if I have an inside takeaway in my stroke?
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Is an inside takeaway always a problem?
Yes. A strong inside move changes your path and face angle.
Does an inside takeaway affect my line?
Yes. It changes how the putter returns to the ball and shifts your start line.
Can an inside takeaway cause pushes or pulls?
Yes. Pushes happen when the face stays open with an inside-out path. Pulls happen when you flip the face shut.
Can better posture help fix this?
Yes. Good posture makes it easier to rock your shoulders and keep the putter on line.
Also Known As
- Inside Path
- Inside Arc Takeaway
- Pulled Takeaway
- Early Inside Move
Final Thoughts
An inside takeaway is a very common putting fault that affects the start line, contact and distance control. A steady takeaway begins with proper alignment, quiet hands and a simple shoulder rock.
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