The width of the golf swing has to do with the size of the arc created by the path of the club from the beginning of the takeaway through to the completion of the follow through. This width helps in keeping the club on plane and generating power. Establish a wide takeaway and you'll have the basis for a fundamentally sound swing.
The Importance of Width
As Phil Ritson points out on Golf.com, rotational force is the most important fundamental of power in the golf swing. The width of a golf swing helps to assure that the club remains on the right plane. A steep swing for instance cannot feature a wide arc if the club is ever to reach the ball. Additionally, the shallow, elliptical approach of a wide swing arc creates leverage and the power that always accompanies that force.
The Takeaway
Although you should be concerned about the width of the entire golf swing, TheGolfSwingGenius.com describes the takeaway as needing to be adequately wide for the downswing to have any chance of coming through ball on a wide arc. Essentially, a narrow arc on the backswing would require that all motion in the swing come to a halt for the arms and hands to reset themselves to wide positions.
Arm Extension
Although you are unable to see the width of your swing as you're making it, certain thoughts can help to assure you're getting the proper arc as you initiate the takeaway. One of the easiest ways to think about creating width has to do with extending your arms as much as you can comfortably manage for the duration of the swing, according to Phil Ritson.
Shoulder Rotation
Ritson also points out that initiating your takeaway with the grip of the club moving in unison with your shoulder rotation helps to establish and maintain the desired width. Although this might feel awkward at first, you'll find that it will gradually become more comfortable. In the process of using these strategies, be sure to keep your hands as loose as possible to avoid adding undue tension to your motion.
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