noun. The initial part of a stroke, in which one moves a racket or club, for instance, to the position from which forward motion begins.

noun. The preparatory stroke preceding that which produces contact with the target. Normally associated with sports using an implement such as a bat, club, racket or stick.

"He closed with a par, getting a break when given relief on his second shot because his backswing was affected by a tree stake."

Hamish  golf-course