I see so many golf swings doomed from the getgo because of the takeaway. Now, setup/address plays a big part of that, but I see lots of good address positions wasted because the takeaway is WAY inside.
Bottom line, if you get your hands too "deep," you need to make some serious compensations to get the club back to the ball from the top. This usually happens because (for righties)....
1) The right arm is PULLING too much from the start of the swing. Right elbow bends early, hands get "behind" the body very early, shaft plane is very flat. Usually you see the right hip rotating immediately, right knee/leg going straight.
2 The golfer doesn't know how to properly hinge the club. Arms just raise the club from address position, a "false" hinge if you will.
As for #1, you got to use the torso/shoulder to move the club to start the takeaway. The right arm should be RELAXED and pretty straight. When the club is parallel to the ground, the club should be OUTSIDE the hands (closer to the target line). From there, you need to hinge the clubhead UP, not BEHIND you. Butt of the club should be pointing AT or INSIDE the target line. As you continue to rotate the torso and shoulder during the backswing, your hands should be in line with the center of your chest. Once you FULLY rotate the shoulders, a little lift of the arms completes the swing, and you should be good to go.
DON'T feel like you need to get your hands above your head. Most people should stop their backswing at about 10:30 (when looking face-on).
http://www.swingacademy.com/videoPlayer.aspx?id=2850This is as good as it gets IMHO.
Frame 31 shows the clubhead OUTSIDE the hands.
Frame 37 shows the hinge, shoulder rotation, LACK of hip rotation, flexed right knee.
Frame 44, a bit more shoulder rotation, some arm lift, but the hips and right knee haven’t done a THING.
Frame 52, INSANE hip rotation, still closed shoulders, etc etc etc…. Can’t get there without getting to the TOP the right way.