The Definition Hanging Back occurs when a golfer fails to transfer their weight and pelvis toward the target during the downswing, leaving their center of mass trapped on their trail leg at impact.

When you hang back, the bottom of your swing arc stays dangerously behind the golf ball. To make contact, your brain forces you to aggressively scoop the ball with your wrists. This results in heavy chunks, thin blades, and a massive loss of rotational power because you are hitting the ball entirely with your arms.

The Amateur: Trapped on the Trail Leg

Watch the video below to see what Hanging Back looks like in a position-by-position 3D breakdown.

The Data Check: We measure this fault by tracking the Pelvis Sway at the exact moment of impact (P7). Positive numbers mean the pelvis has shifted forward toward the target.

At impact, this amateur’s pelvis measures at -0.2". This means they haven't moved forward at all—in fact, their center of mass is actually slightly further away from the target than it was at address. By keeping their weight anchored to their back foot, they have completely stalled their body rotation and destroyed their ability to strike the ground in front of the ball.

Stop Guessing. Start Measuring.

Do you Hang Back? Many golfers try to "lift" the ball into the air, unknowingly anchoring their weight to their back foot in the process.

Upload your swing video for a Digital Analysis. We will use 3D motion tracking to measure your exact pelvic shift at impact to tell you definitively if you are driving through the golf ball or falling away from it. [Button: Start My Swing Analysis]

The Professional: Driving Through the Strike

For comparison, watch how a Tour Professional aggressively shifts their mass toward the target to compress the golf ball.

The Data Check: At impact, this professional’s pelvis has shifted a massive +6.6" toward the target.

Look at the Professional Acceptable Range:

• Pelvis Sway (At Impact): +2.8" to +6.2" (Note: This specific Tour Pro is even more aggressive than the Tour average). The difference is staggering. The Professional has moved their hips almost 7 inches further forward than the amateur. By driving their weight aggressively into their lead leg, they guarantee that the lowest point of their swing happens after the golf ball, creating that crisp, turf-taking compression you see on TV.

The Body-Swing Connection

Hanging back is often caused by a physical inability to post up on your lead leg. There are 13 physical limitations that can impact your golf swing.

If your lead leg cannot accept the force of your golf swing, your brain will subconsciously keep your weight on your back leg to protect your joints. The physical limitations that directly cause you to hang back include:

• Limited Lead Hip Internal Rotation: If your left hip cannot clear, you cannot safely transfer weight into it.

• Weak Lead Leg Stability: Poor balance and weakness in the lead glute or knee.

• Limited Trail Ankle Mobility: Inability to push off the trail foot to initiate the weight shift.

A simple screening process can identify these limitations and provide a straightforward exercise routine to unlock your swing.

Find out more about mobility in the golf swing: [Insert Link]