What Is An Outside Takeaway In Golf?
An outside takeaway is when the clubhead moves away from the ball and outside the target line at the start of your backswing.
Your hands and arms push the club away from you instead of moving it back with your body’s turn.
How It Affects Your Golf Shots
- Outside-In Downswing
An outside takeaway can make your downswing move from outside to inside. This swing path is a main cause of slicing the ball. - Loss of Distance
A slice from an outside-in downswing reduces the carry distance and increases spin. - Steep Club Angle
The club comes down at a steep angle with an outside takeaway. This makes it hard to hit the ball solidly in the center.
What Causes An Outside Takeaway?
- Poor Setup
Standing too far from the ball or having weight in the wrong place can force the arms to swing outside. - Early Wrist Hinge
Excess wrist action flicks the club up and away from the body during takeaway. - Lack of Shoulder Rotation
If the chest and shoulders do not rotate properly, the arms take over. This pushes the club outward and away from the body.
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What Other Faults Does An Outside Takeaway Cause?
- Over-The-Top Downswing
The most common result is an over-the-top downswing. Lifting the club outside in the takeaway can cause it to go off-plane. - Steep Swing Plane
An outside takeaway can make the club too vertical. This causes a steep backswing.
Swing Cues & Feels
- Chest Not Hands
Feel your chest moving the club during the takeaway. This keeps your body and arms moving together in unison. - Low and Slow
Sweep the clubhead just above the grass for the first foot of the takeaway. This stops your hands from lifting the club too quickly and moving it outside.
Swing Adaptations
- Shorter & Wider Backswing
If your mid-back is tight, a shorter, wider backswing will keep your arms and chest connected for better control. - Upright Posture
Standing a little more upright helps you swing naturally on plane without forcing the club upward. - Neutral Grip
Use a neutral grip and avoid hinging your wrists too early. This keeps the club on the correct path.
FAQs About An Outside Takeaway
How can I quickly check if my takeaway is outside?
The GolfWiz AI app can detect an outside takeaway for you instantly. The app highlights 50+ swing errors and shows you the exact drills to fix them. Start for FREE now.
Is an outside takeaway always bad?
For the vast majority of amateur golfers, yes. It forces compensations that are hard to time correctly.
My ball goes straight, but I know my takeaway is outside. Should I fix it?
You’re likely making another move in your swing to save the shot. This can be inconsistent under pressure. But if you’ve been doing it the same way for years and had no major issues, there’s probably no reason to try and correct it.
Can my equipment cause an outside takeaway?
It’s unlikely, but clubs that are too long or have an incorrect lie angle can contribute to an outside takeaway.
How long does it take to fix an outside takeaway?
It varies for every golfer, but with consistent practice you can start to see significant improvement in a few weeks or less.
Final Thoughts
An outside takeaway is a common problem that starts the swing on the wrong path and often leads to slices and weak contact.
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