Shoulder turn

[cgrier]

Hi people, my name is chris and i am new around these parts lol... i was wondering if somebody could help me with my shoulder turn.

Recently i have revamped my backswing. I was told i was very armsy and that i should work on a one piece takeaway with my shoulders. I have been told my setup is quite good and that i should just turn my shoulders on the plane that is established by the club and my posture at address. Just thinking about turning my shoulders around my spine and lifting the club is the only swing thought i have in my backswing. Does anybody use this type of swing or familer with it? If so please help me clear some things up.

I know it sounds easy to just turn your shoulders around the spine but i cant quite figure out quite how with the different clubs. I know with the woods and longer irons my shoulder turn should be more horizontal, and with the short irons it should be more vertical. Im having a hard time getting it right b/c i dont know what right feels or looks like. Alot of times i feel like im too horizontal with my short irons but i have no way of really knowing (i feel too flat).

Can somebody give me some tips on how to get my shoulder turn on plane with all the different clubs?

[LowPost42]

Re: Shoulder turn

Forget about turning the shoulders around the spine. This can lead to a right shoulder push, getting your hands outside plane (creating an outside in swing).

Assuming you're a right handed golfer, take your left upper arm (bicep/tricep) and use it to take the club away. Use it to pull the shoulder across your body, so to speak. This will automatically create the coil. The more you can 'pull' with your upper arm, the more coil you'll get.

For drilling purposes, work on keeping your right side totally quiet (again, assuming a RH golfer). Don't pull or push with your right hand, arm, or shoulder. Keep it all left-actuated; both the takeaway and the downswing - your right arm is just along for the ride, there to keep your divot slightly ahead of center.

This works for all clubs. If you like a different feel for different clubs (ie woods vs irons), you can pick your upper arm up higher for irons (promoting a steeper attack), and take it away lower and longer for woods (to promote a sweep).

This method has worked quite well for me, and has gone as far as creating great shape in my iron shots (wedge flight paths are almost parabolic), and my drive is now a long penetrating flight.

Just my .02

[cgrier]

Re: Shoulder turn

I like the shoulder swing b/c i used to be way to armsy. Im no where near out to in either. If anything im worried about being too inside and too flat. My ball striking has greatly improved so i would like to stick to the shoulder swing. I just need some tips to perfect it. Im excited about it.

[GregJWillis]

Re: Shoulder turn

Then do the Bench drill:

Either find a bench that has a low back or no back, or have a buddy stand behind you with driver grip pointing at the target and level around the middle of the knees and waist.

Rest your club at setup above the bench (standing so the long side of the bench points at your target) or buddies club.

Use the 1 piece takeaway with your shoulders back slowly. Your club will be sliding down the bench or shaft the whole way if done correctly. If your club leaves the bench or shaft, you are probably lifting too soon with the hands. If you start to press down on the bench or shaft too much, you are probably using your arms to take the club back.

It is truly the perfect drill for what you are talking about. Your shaft should simply slide easily down the bench and when it gets to the end, you are ready to start setting the hands and raise the arms.

[gord962]

Re: Shoulder turn

Here is a simple drill for those just starting out or running into some swing difficulties:

To get a proper backswing, you need to know where you have to be at the top of the swing. In your 'ready' stance and with your club in your hands, hold your arms out straight in front of you with your wrists cocked at 90* so the club is pointing straight up. Then simply turn your shoulders so your upper body is pointing away from the target. This is the proper position at the top of the swing.

To get back to proper position using a back swing, break it down into 3 components: arms, wrists and shoulders. At first, use 3 very distinct motions to bring the club to the proper position. First, use your arms to bring the club back so the shaft is parallel with the ground. Next, cock your wrists to 90* so the club is pointing skyward. Finally, rotate your shoulders away from the target. You should notice that your club in the top position should be pointing parallel to your target line. As you get used to this 3 step process, speed it up. The 3 parts will begin working as one as the speed is increased until you have a nice smooth, controlled backswing which leaves you in the correct position at the top every time.