As you get that club to feel like it falls in, now your left shoulder’s in front of your body, it’s on this side of your body toward the golf ball.
Full Answer
Which shoulder does a left-handed golfer pull back on the club?
For the left-handed golfer, it's the right shoulder that plays the crucial role. If you're one of the many golfers who starts a swing by pulling back on their club with their left shoulder; take note.
Why does my lead shoulder drop down when playing golf?
In a proper back swing, the shoulders rotate around the spine, instead of the lead shoulder. A common problem that many golfers suffer from when playing is that their lead shoulder is ducking, or dropping down. This is caused by a failure to properly turn about the axis as the golfer is swinging.
How do I know which way to aim my golf clubs?
Video or still photos, taken from your right and looking down the target line, are extremely helpful in determining your shoulder alignment. You can also have a friend or teacher hold a club across your shoulders at address to see which way they're aimed. Shoulder alignment is a key to consistent ball striking for every golfer.
How to hit a quality golf shot?
Encourage good shoulder turn. You may already know that a good shoulder turn is one of the biggest keys to hitting quality golf shots. If you can turn your shoulders fully time after time, you will be setup for success once the downswing comes around.
Where should your left shoulder be in a golf swing?
0:216:44Left Shoulder Movement In The Golf Swing Pros vs Ams - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBack right under that chin area there. And that's a big difference they do they get that right underMoreBack right under that chin area there. And that's a big difference they do they get that right under that chin in a really great position but an even Keir.
Should left shoulder point at ball in backswing?
7:1513:10Left Shoulder At The Ball For Insanely Good Contact - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the ground. Yeah. So if you're used to doing this or some combination of no tilt.MoreIn the ground. Yeah. So if you're used to doing this or some combination of no tilt.
How do I align my shoulders in my golf swing?
0:092:36Prevent bad shots with proper shoulder alignment - Golf Lessons ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe right hand. So really common when it comes to shoulder alignment simply because that left handMoreThe right hand. So really common when it comes to shoulder alignment simply because that left hand is higher naturally. The left shoulder wants to sink. Further back than the right shoulder.
Where should shoulders be impacted?
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.
Should you dip your left shoulder in golf swing?
2:418:15Keep Left Shoulder Down In Downswing Mind-Blowing Ball ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's lower and it can really smooth out that downswing move for you.MoreIt's lower and it can really smooth out that downswing move for you.
Do you pull down with left arm in golf swing?
You should pull the butt of the club toward the ball. Remember, this pulling down is done by the left arm. It's the controlling agent, and if you let it be you will escape the many troubles that result from trying to push the club down from the top with the right hand and the right shoulder.
Where should shoulders be at address?
The shoulders-open setup is perfectly natural. Because the right hand is slightly lower and out past the left hand on the club at address, the right shoulder is lower and out past the left shoulder. Also, the hips are open about 12 degrees, the shoulders about 17 degrees.Put Your Swing On Automatic | Instruction - Golf Digesthttps://www.golfdigest.com › story › put-your-swing-on-a...https://www.golfdigest.com › story › put-your-swing-on-a...
Should shoulders be square at address?
GO: For most shots your body, including your shoulders, arms, hips and knees, should be square to your target line. NO GO: Your shoulders should not be open or closed relative to your target line. This causes an inside or outside takeaway path.Golf Alignment Tips: How to Line Up Your Shoulders | Swing Alignhttps://swingtrainer.com › blogs › instruction › golf-align...https://swingtrainer.com › blogs › instruction › golf-align...
Should shoulders be level at address?
Most amateurs at address position have their shoulders too level. This creates a poor set up position. When the shoulders are too level at address position the center of your body is in front of the ball causing the majority of you weight on the left foot.Shoulder Tilt | Andy Scott School of Golfhttps://andyscottschoolofgolf.com › 2011/11 › tip-of-the-...https://andyscottschoolofgolf.com › 2011/11 › tip-of-the-...
How to know if your golf club is on the proper downswing path?
Let your hips rotate toward the target before your shoulders begin to unwind. If your right elbow pushes down into your right side and your left arm brushes across your chest, you know your club is on the proper downswing path.
What is the position of your shoulder in golf?
The position of your front shoulder -- the left, if you’re right-handed -- provides important information throughout your golf swing. It can tell you whether you’ve taken the club back far enough during your backswing, for example, and whether you’re moving your arms correctly during your downswing. Keep your left shoulder in its proper place ...
How to start a downswing golf club?
Turn your shoulders at least 90 degrees and your hips 45 degrees on the backswing. A proper turn keeps the club on the correct path and plane. At the top of the backswing, your club shaft should point parallel to the target line. That will put your in the proper position to start your downswing without pulling.
How to do a downswing?
Start your downswing from the ground up. Push off your back foot, sliding your hips laterally a few inches toward the target. Pullers tend to initiate the downswing by spinning their shoulders or throwing their arms out away from their body, which is called “coming over the top.”
What shoulder should I swing down?
Your left shoulder should also swing downward from its address position. In his book “How I Play Golf,” Tiger Woods says he wants his left shoulder tucked under his chin when he reaches the top of his backswing. Golf writer Steve Newell advises you to note the position of your right shoulder at address, then to try to move ...
How to get your left shoulder to rise?
Downswing. Keep your left shoulder down as you begin your downswing. As your hips rotate and your arms extend, the lead shoulder will then rise naturally as you approach the moment of impact. If your hips are rotating properly your shoulders will follow shortly thereafter. Tom Watson told “Golf Digest” he feels as if his left shoulder travels “down ...
How to rotate your shoulders?
Backswing. Your shoulders should rotate about 90 degrees during your backswing. Imagine your shoulders are turning around an imaginary clock face. If the target is at 12 o’clock, your left shoulder should point there at address, then rotate to 3 o’clock during your backswing. Your left shoulder should also swing downward from its address position. ...
How to play golf with a left shoulder?
Turn your hips to the rear of the tee box, then draw the club back with your left shoulder. Make sure your hands reach shoulder height when you reach the top of your backswing.
What is the role of the left shoulder in golf?
Role of Left Shoulder in the Golf Swing. Developing a consistent swing is the goal of most of those who take up the game of golf. After hitting a couple of solid shots, you may become obsessed with the game and will work on improving your swing almost any chance you get. For right-handed golfers, the role of the left shoulder cannot be overstated ...
What part of the body should you move when starting a golf swing?
If you're one of the many golfers who starts a swing by pulling back on their club with their left shoulder; take note. The left shoulder is heavily involved in the backswing, but it should not be the initial move -- the first part of the body to move should be your hips. Turn your hips to the rear of the tee box, ...
What shoulder do you use to drive into the ball?
However, your initial move is back to and through the ball with your hips -- then driving into the ball with your left shoulder. After you rotate your hips to the target, use your left shoulder to drive into the ball to create maximum power on your swing.
How to get the most out of your follow through?
To get the most out of your follow-through, keep your head down and keep driving and turning your shoulder. Your hands should be at shoulder height. If you are stopping before you get to that spot, you are not getting maximum rotation from your left shoulder.
Which shoulder is the most important for right handed golfers?
For right-handed golfers, the role of the left shoulder cannot be overstated in developing a repeatable swing. For the left-handed golfer, it's the right shoulder that plays the crucial role.
Do you follow through on a golf shot?
As a result, you stop your swing and don't follow through all the way. You'll stop before your hands have gotten to hip level; this costs distance and accuracy.
Why do my arms and hands move up?
The arms and hands are moving straight up, typically because of a poor takeaway, and make a loop higher than the shoulders. Learning to make a correct one-piece takeaway will often solve this problem. Bryson DeChambeau and Aaron Rodgers win The Match. Golfweeks' Adam Woodard breaks down the results from the match.
When you start backswing, what do your hips do?
When we begin our backswing, our shoulders move first while our hips try to remain in their address position for as long as possible without causing undue muscle tension. Finally, the hips begin to turn so we can finish our backswing. The hips turn about half as much as the shoulders.
What happens when you start down?
When we start down, the sequence is just the opposite: The hips move first, pulling the shoulders behind them. Your hips continue to lead all the way through the downswing, turning past the ball and pulling the shoulder back into the same position they had at address at the moment you strike the ball. At this point, the hips basically stop and the shoulders continue to turn past the hips to reach our finish position.
Who is Mike Southern?
He is the author of the instructional golf book "Ruthless Putting" and edited a collection of swashbuckling novels. Southern was trained in electronics at Forsyth Technical Community College and is also an occasional woodworker.
Can you start a downswing with your shoulders?
Although we want the hips to “lead” the shoulders on the downswing--Ben Hogan simply wrote that the hips initiate the downswing--the truth is that it is nearly impossible to start the downswing with your shoulders.
How to hit a good golf shot?
Encourage good shoulder turn . You may already know that a good shoulder turn is one of the biggest keys to hitting quality golf shots. If you can turn your shoulders fully time after time, you will be setup for success once the downswing comes around.
How to keep your chin up when golfing?
When addressing the golf ball, be sure to keep your chin up away from your chest. In an effort to ‘keep their head down’, many golfers push their chin down into their chest unnecessarily. This is a problem because the chin will then be in the way of a proper shoulder turn.
Why do golfers use their hands?
Golfers who use their hands to start the swing tend to rush, forcing the club back too quickly. The shoulders aren’t able to keep up as a result, and the backswing becomes mostly an arms-only action. That’s a problem in terms of your tempo, and it’s also a problem in terms of building speed later on.
What shoulder goes down and around?
So from a good set up position left shoulder goes down and around and fully complete that backswing when that left shoulder comes round underneath your chin that’s when you would say you’ve had a completed backswing rather than lifting that left shoulder and then stopping at halfway.
What shoulder do you start a swing with?
We mentioned the tempo of your swing in an earlier point, but this topic deserves a point of its own. When you start the swing with your left shoulder , it should be relatively easy to establish a smooth rhythm that can carry you all the way up to the top of the swing and down toward impact.
How to avoid shoulder turn?
To avoid this issue altogether, simply set up over the ball with your chin comfortably up away from your chest. Don’t lift up.
What are the biggest mistakes you can make early in the golf swing?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make early in the golf swing is to let your hands and wrists take over the action. This is a problem for a variety of reasons. For starters, you are likely to rush the takeaway when using your hands to move the club, rather than your shoulders.
What part of the golf club is pointing down the target line?
When addressing the ball, a golfer should place his clubhead behind the ball so that the head is running perpendicular to the desired target line (flight path of the ball), and the face of the club is pointing down the target line.
Why do golfers struggle to address the ball with their body properly squared?
Many golfers struggle to address the ball with their body properly squared, which is a fundamental element of the golf swing. The failure to properly line up the shoulders before swinging leaves a golfer susceptible to striking the ball with a misaligned clubhead, leading to shots missing the intended target.
How to determine why a golf ball is stray?
To determine the reason (s) behind stray shots, use a golf club to test the alignment of your body when addressing the ball. Gain the help of a partner to perform this drill. After addressing the ball in your stance as normal, have your partner place a golf club across the top of your back, shoulder to shoulder. With the club in place, the partner should look down the shaft to see if your shoulders are aligned parallel to the target line, or if you are skewed to the left or right.
What is shoulder alignment in golf?
Correct shoulder alignment when addressing the ball is the foundation of a proper golf swing. Many golfers struggle to address the ball with their body properly squared, which is a fundamental element of the golf swing.
How to make a good golf swing?
Building a good golf swing is all about getting the fundamentals right, and proper shoulder alignment is one of those keys that you can't afford to overlook. Get your shoulders squared away and your golf swing will follow. Proper Shoulder Alignment Can Keep Your Swing on Track. As a golfer, the word 'alignment' probably leads you ...
What is shoulder alignment?
Proper Shoulder Alignment Can Keep Your Swing on Track. As a golfer, the word 'alignment' probably leads you to think about your feet. After all, taking your stance is the most important part of getting properly aligned with the target, and your feet are the main component in that equation.
What happens if you open your shoulder at address?
If you were to allow your shoulder position to be dramatically closed or open at address, you would be changing the direction of your swing entirely. Even if you do everything else perfectly in your swing, you can easily ruin your ball flight by poorly aligning your shoulders when taking your stance.
How to swing a golf club?
With the club placed on the ground, step into your stance. Place your toes along the alignment club, and move the ball into proper position for your shot. At this point, you should be in a great posture and ready to make your best swing. However, you aren't going to start your swing just yet.
How to play golf left handed?
If you play golf left handed, please be sure to reverse the directions as necessary. Match Your Shoulders to Your Feet. Your basic stance should create a position in which your feet and your shoulders are pointing in the same direction.
What to do if your shoulders are crossed?
If they are crossed, you can be sure that there is a problem with your shoulder set up. Have your friend help you adjust your shoulders into a position that matches them up with your feet. Once you are squared away, ask your friend to step back to a safe distance so you can hit the shot.
How to get the ball to move from right to left?
Hitting a draw. To encourage the ball to move from right to left, you will need to close your shoulders relative to the line that your feet have established . In other words, your shoulder line should be pointing out to the right of the target.
Why does my golfer's shoulder drop down?
This is caused by a failure to properly turn about the axis as the golfer is swinging. To compensate, the player drops his shoulder, which allows the backswing to get farther back, making the player feel like they are ...
What happens when you hit a golf ball with a ducked shoulder?
Effects on the Ball. Due to the poor path of the golf club, shots hit with a ducked-shoulder backswing will often be far more erratic than a proper swing . The most common malady that duck swingers have to deal with is a sharp hook of the ball.
Why does my back swing drop down?
This is caused by a failure to properly turn about the axis as the golfer is swinging.
What is the arcing path of a golf club?
The arcing path of a golf club for most swings should be only slightly off the desired target line for the ball. When using a shoulder rotation for the swing, the club will still leave the target line, but not to any great extent.
What happens when you duck your arm?
When you duck arm in order to make your backswing reach the desired length without putting in the required level of upper body rotation, the most drastic change to the swing will be the path of the club's arc.