In this video, Stuart from SM Golf Coaching explains how 'disconnection'—specifically the lead arm moving away from the body—is the most damaging takeaway mistake. He demonstrates how this fault leads to a lead-wrist compensation that pulls the club too far inside. To fix this, Stuart provides two easy-to-follow drills using an alignment stick and a head cover to help golfers keep their arms and body working in sync for a more consistent swing path.
The lead arm moving away from the torso during the takeaway is a primary cause of swing inconsistency.
A disconnected takeaway often causes the lead wrist to bow excessively, pulling the club head too far behind the body.
Use an alignment stick against your lead side to ensure the hands and club head move on the correct path together.
The lead arm should roughly match your spine angle at the first stage of the backswing.
Placing a head cover under the lead armpit promotes turning with the 'big muscles' rather than just the hands.