Questions & Answers Responses from PGA/LPGA Teachers on FINDaLESSON.com                                                                                  << BACK From Bill, golfer: I'm 56, a 7 handicap, and golf every day. Lately, I have trouble starting the back swing. I waggle or move the club up and down and just can't seem to get ready to take the club back. I stand over the ball too long before I swing the club. I'd sure like to just get up to the ball and begin the swing. Any suggestions? Thanks. PGA/LPGA TEACHING PROFESSIONAL RESPONSES: Florida "Dear Bill: Very simply, waggle while you look at the target, then look and swing." - Sean Gorgone, Teaching Professional Florida "Dear Bill Wall, stick to the same routine every shot. Try this. 1) Step toward the ball with your right foot. Aim the club-face, then step toward the ball with your left foot. Take two waggles and start your swing with a right knee press and swing. Try this on the practice tee. If this doesn't work, try hitting shots with a rhythm trainer (metronome). You'll hear  the beat when you swing." - John Pallot, Teaching Professional Minnesota "Develop a routine where you do the same things in the same order and take the same time to do them. Make the impetus to begin your swing the last look at your target." - Jim Manthis, Teaching Professional Pennsylvania "Sounds like you are thinking "how to" and not "target". What you are going through is "analysis paralysis". Think about throwing the ball to the target not how to hit the ball. Good luck." - Don Beardsley, Teaching Professional South Carolina "Bill: First work on your plan with an effort to visualize the shot you are about to make. Then, work on a forward press that begins with the chest and shoulders. Tom Watson says he just turns his back to the target. Press, do, trust. Good luck!" - Michael Lucas, Teaching Professional South Carolina "Bill: It sounds to me like you have some indecision concerning your shots. Are you second guessing yourself? Are you changing your mind about your shot before you address the ball? Are you trying to hit a perfect shot all the time? These are signs that your trigger to hit the ball might be inhibited by poor mental preparation. Someone of your ability and experience level can some times over think a shot and in turn make bringing the club back a hard task. I would try a drill or two that makes you react, such as 5 balls in a row that you just hit in immediate succession. Let the flow of a swing get you in to a rhythm that is balanced and thought free. I would also check your pre-shot routine for any signs of weakness. Make sure that you are coming to a resolute conclusion of the shot you will execute and be committed to that decision, before approaching the ball. We all go through this sometimes. And it is hard to recognize why you are doing it. Take your time to work through this slump, and you will be able to identify it again before it happens the next time. Let me know if I can help you in the further."  - John Hughes, Teaching Professional Texas "You need to have a different thought other than worrying about what takes the club back. Just change your thoughts to a "something to make you go back thought.....like make your left knee point behind the ball as you swing back away from the ball.  Yes the waggle will help you to begin the takeaway, but changing your total thought will make you more target oriented than getting mesmerized about your waggle." - Bob Putt, Teaching Professional