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how much shoulder turn golf

by Prof. Ayana Daniel III Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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But, the key question is: how much shoulder turn is the correct amount? In golf, you should turn your shoulders 90 degrees from your address position in order to complete your backswing. If done correctly, the tip of your left shoulder should be pointed at the golf ball at the top of your backswing.

Full Answer

How do I improve my shoulder turn in golf?

To start working on a good shoulder turn, you first need to have a solid stance in place. Your feet should be wide enough to make it easy to balance your body throughout the swing, both back and through. Also, make sure you have plenty of flex in your knees, and keep your back in a strong, flat position.

What is the takeaway and shoulder turn in golf swing?

Having the correct takeaway and shoulder turn to begin your golf swing is absolutely vital if you are to make a great swing. The takeaway is the first movement you make during your backswing and as such it dictates whether you make a good, correct sequence of movements during your golf swing or not.

What is a bad shoulder turn in the golf swing?

Swing faults such as an over the top golf swing, casting (scooping), and slicing can often be traced back to a poor shoulder turn in the golf swing. As you’ll read below, it’s essential to minimise the impact of your dominant side to get your shoulders working the way they are designed to.

Do you make a great shoulder turn?

Making a great shoulder turn has long been an important part of playing good golf, and that remains true today. Whether your current shoulder turn leaves something to be desired, or you just want to make sure you don’t fall into any bad habits, we hope this article will help.

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Can you have too much shoulder turn in golf swing?

When the shoulders get too much angled toward the ground, it can cause the club to also be steep and result in early extension, fat shots, slices and more erratic shots. This is certainly a less common problem for mid to high handicap players, but something to be addressed if this is an issue in your swing.

Do you rotate shoulders in golf swing?

If I was standing straight up and down, and turned my shoulders and hips, they turn on horizontal plane. However, in a golf swing, your are bent from your hips, so your hips and shoulders are no longer horizontal with the ground. From you address position, your shoulders rotate on the same plane throughout your swing.

How important is a full shoulder turn in golf?

When a golfer does not turn completely, he tends to rely more on the small muscles (hands and arms) to swing the golf club. This leads to inconsistent golf ball striking and shots prone to slicing. With a full shoulder turn, you will use more of your big muscles to route the club.

How do I turn my shoulders in the golf swing?

3:148:24How to Make a Proper Shoulder Turn in Your Golf Swing (Golf Backswing ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWork along that same angle see that as i'm working through the strike. Notice from down the lineMoreWork along that same angle see that as i'm working through the strike. Notice from down the line there my shoulders are still on that red line so i'm back up my shoulders rotate on that. Line.

Should shoulders be open or square at impact?

Square shoulders at impact are important for shot distance and accuracy. Golfers who struggle with accuracy should focus on having their shoulders square at impact. Squaring your shoulders means that as contact is made with the ball, the shoulders are parallel to the target line.

How do you rotate your shoulders in the downswing?

7:4111:13GOLF: How To Rotate The Chest And Shoulders Through Impact - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI in my chest. And shoulders completely turned completely turned towards the target as I'm extendingMoreI in my chest. And shoulders completely turned completely turned towards the target as I'm extending into my follow-through.

What happens if you don't make a full shoulder turn in golf?

What happens if you don't have any shoulder turn? Well, you'll be looking at a very dysfunctional golf swing that just won't work. You'll pick the club up more and start casting - where you 'throw' the club at the ball - and you've got more chance of swinging out to in.

How do you get a full shoulder turn?

2:514:01EVERYONE can make a FULL SHOULDER TURN in golf! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInstead of pushing your left arm across your chest. Pull your right shoulder behind your head nowMoreInstead of pushing your left arm across your chest. Pull your right shoulder behind your head now watch what happens. Not only do I not have any tension here.

Do shoulders start backswing?

The shoulders begin the backswing by turning away from the ball until the hands are at waist high. This movement is called a “one-piece takeaway” and, because the shoulders move so early in the backswing, the arms are able to remain straight without tensing up until the hands reach that waist-high position.

What happens if you don't rotate in golf?

A golf swing without rotation loses its greatest source of power and gets your entire body out of sync, it becomes nearly impossible to get back to a nice square impact position resulting reduced distance and shots that are wildly off target.

Why is it important to not turn your shoulders in golf?

By not turning your shoulders far enough usually means your arms become more active in the golf swing instead of the bigger muscles in the shoulders and back.

How many repetitions of each golf club?

Slowly, build your way up to adding the golf club and do at least 25 repetitions of each until it feels ingrained and comfortable. Making a 90-degree shoulder turn in golf doesn’t require any special flexibility or golf skill, it just requires a basic understanding of how to move your shoulders the right way.

How far should shoulders be in golf?

Most golfers I see only turn their shoulders around 70 - 75 degrees in the backswing. They only get this far because most cheat by using their arms more to complete the backswing instead of letting the shoulders do their job. They will make a proper golf swing takeaway, but as soon as they raise their hands above waist level they’ll continue moving the club upwards with their arms only and forget to turn the shoulders.

What is the dominant arm of a golfer?

Most right-handed golfers are naturally very right-sided dominant. Because of this most golfers really drive from the top of their swing with the right arm and right shoulder. The problem with this approach is it severely limits your shoulder turn and also contributes to many common swing faults.

What causes slicing in golf swing?

Swing faults such as an over the top golf swing, casting (scooping), and slicing can often be traced back to a poor shoulder turn in the golf swing.

How to make a 90 degree turn in golf?

Pull from the right side at your set up. A great way to make a full 90-degree shoulder turn in golf is to pull from your right side. What I mean is instead of pushing and moving all of your weight to the right do this: At your golf set up, focus on pulling your right shoulder behind you as you commence your takeaway.

What is the best temperature to run a car?

Ideally, you want to be striving for 90 degrees, a little over or under is no big deal but if you can get there you’re in a great position to generate some serious power.

How to wear a swing alignment rod?

Ideally, at the top of your backswing, the alignment rod you are wearing on your upper body will be perpendicular (90 degrees) to your target line . You also want the front end of the alignment rod across your arms pointing slightly downward, toward the ground. Getting the rod to be either level with the ground or with the front end pointing slightly down at the top of your swing, indicates that you have turned your shoulders down and under, maintained the proper spine angle and you are on the proper swing plane! Helping you rotate on the proper swing plane is a strength of the Swing Align device.

How to see how much your body rotates in golf?

The best and easiest way to see the amount of your body’s rotation at the top of your golf swing is to use Swing Align. Wear the device on your upper body and use a ground based alignment tool - like the Swing Junction that comes with our Swing Align Bundles. Swing Junction allows you to add a small alignment rod perpendicular (90 degrees) to your target line. By turning your shoulders to try to match the alignment rod on your arms with the perpendicular alignment rod on the ground, it becomes easy to get immediate feedback on how much your upper body and torso has rotated. Remember to rotate your hips to help allow your upper body to rotate more freely!

How to correct shoulder turn in golf swing?

To achieve the correct shoulder turn in your golf swing your rotation must include the hips. If done correctly, flexibility hardly factors into the equation. If you're a tilter, you'll be amazed how far you can rotate your shoulders without straining at all if you simply turn your hips as well. A proper shoulder turn involves turning your hips ...

Why is my backswing not rotating?

If you are struggling to get your body fully rotated at the top of your backswing and on the proper swing plane, it could be because you are setting up with your shoulders open to your target line, or during the takeaway your shoulders, arms, or the club is getting out of position. Use the set-up and takeaway content in our Instruction section to check these key swing areas.

What does it mean when your swing rod is level?

Getting the rod to be either level with the ground or with the front end pointing slightly down at the top of your swing, indicates that you have turned your shoulders down and under, maintained the proper spine angle and you are on the proper swing plane!

What happens if you don't rotate your golf swing?

A golf swing without rotation loses its greatest source of power and gets your entire body out of sync, it becomes nearly impossible to get back to a nice square impact position resulting reduced distance and shots that are wildly off target. To achieve the correct shoulder turn in your golf swing your rotation must include the hips.

What is shoulder rotation in golf?

Golf Swing Rotation & Proper Shoulder Turn. Proper golf swing rotation, often referred to as making a shoulder turn in your golf swing, is something that many of us struggle to achieve. There are a number of misperceptions when it comes to golf swing rotation. A lot of golfers think they are doing it right, but have no good way to check without ...

What happens if you put your chin down in golf?

If you had your chin down, the left shoulder would run into the chin and something would have to give. So, practice taking your stance with your chin up but your eyes still looking down at the ball.

How to make a good shoulder turn?

To start working on a good shoulder turn, you first need to have a solid stance in place. Your feet should be wide enough to make it easy to balance your body throughout the swing, both back and through. Also, make sure you have plenty of flex in your knees, and keep your back in a strong, flat position.

Why do you use a shoulder turn?

Along the same lines as the consistency point, using a good shoulder turn will help your timing, which will in turn help you strike the ball better throughout your rounds. Once you are comfortable using a big shoulder turn, you will find that it acts as the foundation of your swing and you will rely on it to keep everything else working properly .

Why is it difficult to make a good shoulder turn?

Give Yourself Time to Make Your Turn. The number one problem that golfers run into when trying to make a good shoulder turn is a lack of time. Of course, this is a self-inflicted problem, as there is no shot clock in golf. Players who are in a rush to get through the swing and send the ball on its way struggle to make a big shoulder turn.

What is the biggest challenge in swinging?

If your current swing tempo is quick and rushed, slowing yourself down may be the biggest challenge you face in this process.

What muscles do you use to swing a golf club?

Using the big muscles of your body to control the swing, such as those in your shoulders, back, and core, is a far more consistent way to move the club.

How to add power to a shot?

Rather, you just need to dial in your technique and execute your big shoulder turn over and over again. The big turn will set the stage for a powerful shot but overdoing it from an effort perspective could rob you of balance and lead to disappointing results.

How to start a golf swing with your shoulders?

Your arms and the club will stay directly in front of your chest, meaning your entire swing will be connected all the way to the top. By keeping things together, you can make a more powerful transition into the downswing while staying on track for an accurate strike. If you start with your hands, the club is going to race out ahead of your chest, and you will never be able to finish your backswing rotation properly. Golfers who use their hands to start the swing typically wind up with short backswings and shots which lack power in the end. As a senior golfer, you can't afford to give up power by making this kind of mistake. Start with your shoulders to make sure you can complete a full turn time after time.

What is the takeaway in golf?

The takeaway is the first movement you make during your backswing and as such it dictates whether you make a good, correct sequence of movements during your golf swing or not. If you make an incorrect movement at the beginning of your swing sequence, you will be out of position and struggling to correct and regain the correct movement pattern ...

What is the correct takeaway for senior golfers?

What Is The Correct Takeaway: Shoulder Turn For Senior Golfers. What Is The Correct Takeaway: Shoulder. Turn For Senior Golfers. Having the correct takeaway and shoulder turn to begin your golf swing is absolutely vital if you are to make a great swing. The takeaway is the first movement you make during your backswing and as such it dictates ...

How to takeaway a golf club?

From your set up position, create a straight line from your left shoulder down your left arm to your hand and then down the club shaft to the club head. As you take the club away from the ball, you should maintain this straight line and move it to the right away from the ball from your left shoulder. Move the club head along the target line from your left shoulder until your hands are past your right thigh and then hinge your wrists so that the club head rises up from the target line. Continue to turn your left shoulder so that the club shaft rotates inside the target line and becomes parallel to it when at hip height. The club head at this point should be as high as your hands.

How to get power back as a senior golfer?

This is an important point to understand for any player, but it is particularly important for seniors. As a senior golfer, you should be trying to find power from any source available. It is hard to maintain your distance as you age, as flexibility and strength are sure to decline as the years go by. That doesn't mean you have to just give up and accept a diminished game, however. By focusing on the shoulder turn – and making your turn as effectively as possible swing after swing – you can restore some of your lost power successfully.

How to do shoulder turn?

Turn the right foot away from the target. This is an age-old trick, but it works just as good today as it did years ago. At address, think about turning your right foot away from the target by a few degrees. This subtle change can make it easier to achieve a full shoulder turn to the fact that you will have more freedom in your right side. Your right knee will not stand in the way of the turn as significantly, meaning you could rotate farther back without making any other changes. Also, even if your turn doesn't get any bigger, you might take a little pressure off your body during the swing. Feel free to experiment with different right foot placements until you settle on a position that provides you with just the right feel.

How to make a good shoulder turn?

To make a great shoulder turn, and to keep the club on plane , the best thing you can do is allow your shoulders to control the action while your hands remain quiet. It can be difficult to get comfortable with this kind of takeaway, but it will serve you well over time.

What is Greg's swing thought?

Greg's swing thought on the backswing was, Right pocket back. That meant turning his right-front pant pocket behind him ( above ). He later simplified it to RPB, and that often was his last thought before starting his swing. For Greg, it allowed him to maximize his range of motion going back, but it has the added benefit ...

How to do a backswing?

Turn your body, and push your hands away from your head. Remember, the purpose of the backswing is to get in position to make an athletic move down. Turning and extending your arms will help you do that.

Does sway reduce power?

The sway not only reduces power, it makes it tough to get back in position to hit the ball. If you think you need more windup--or you're drifting off the ball--try Greg's RPB. It'll free up your backswing and get you ripping your tee shots.

Do you need more hip turn for backswing?

I hear so much talk these days about making a full shoulder turn but restricting the hips. The thing is, most players need more hip turn to make a decent backswing. Even Greg Norman, who I worked with for years, focused on turning his hips, and he was the best driver I've ever seen.

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What does it mean when your shoulders turn on an axis?

Your shoulders turn on an axis, which means their natural state is to tilt. When they stop tilting, you’re distorting that axis, and that’s when things start to go wrong.

Can you overdo everything in golf?

But just because 36 degrees is the average, that doesn’t mean it’s the limit, Clearwater says. You can overdo everything in golf, but tilting is one of the moves that’s harder to overdo than others.

Is golf complicated?

Golf is so complicated, it’s often better for golfers to try to make things simpler. But every now and again, we make things a little too simple, and what started as some well-intentioned advice actually ends up making golfers worse.

Is it good to turn on the backswing?

When it comes to backswing turn, we’ve collectively fallen into that trap. Most golfers know that turning on the backswing is good — because it is! — but they often leave out an important part: They need to tilt, too. Turning and tilting; that’s the formula for a good backswing. If you try to just turn, it’ll be a disaster that probably ends in a big slice.

Who is Luke Kerr-Dineen?

Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF .com. In his role he oversees all the brand’s service journalism spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.

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