backswing

American  

[bak-swing] / ˈbækˌswɪŋ /

noun

Sports.

1. the movement of a bat, racket, or the like, toward the back of a player in preparation for the forward movement with which the ball is struck.

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Etymology

Origin of backswing

First recorded in 1895–1900; back ¹ ( def. ) + swing ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

backswing

DeChambeau was given a two-shot penalty on Friday after tournament officials ruled he had improved the area of his backswing by flattening down some long grass on Royal Birkdale's fifth hole.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

"Bryson has been penalised two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of intended backswing on fifth hole," said Grant Moir, the R&A's executive director, governance.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

They tend to start quietly—an elbow that aches after the range, a shoulder that nags during the backswing, a wrist that feels tired late in the round.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026

Note: Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe left the game after being hit in the head on a backswing during the eighth inning, Washington said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 27, 2025

Instead, using a silent camera with no motor to avoid disturbing Mr. Woods’s backswing, Mr. Vuich took a wide shot from a tower of his tee shot at the final hole, nearly surrounded by fans.

From New York Times ● Jan. 24, 2024