How To Create The Correct Rotation

If you've ever been to a lesson, you will know the importance of rotating your body to create power and consistency. However rotating your body correctly can be a challenge particularly when combined with swing path. You also want to ensure that your rotate at the right time for example turning the body too early on the backswing can cause issues with direction as the path can move too far around the body versus if you rotate too late, it can cause the path to become too steep.

There are a couple of fantastic drills that greatly assist people with rotation. There is one where you can have the club behind the shoulders while you position yourself in a golf posture. You then want to have the feeling of moving the left shoulder under the chin while keeping the head relatively stable. This drill is especially ideal as a beginner because as the shoulder moves under chin, the hips also rotate.

Another drill that is a step beyond the one mentioned is one which allows you to turn but also ensures the weights stays behind the ball on the backswing. In this drill I position an alignment stick in the ground approximately 50 cm to the side of me on my heel line. I then practice reaching around and grabbing the alignment stick on my backswing. During the process of reaching for the alignment stick, you will feel your body not only rotate but shift weight more toward your backfoot during the backswing. This ensures that you're turning behind the ball on the backswing.

Now in terms of how to sequence your rotation, you just want to ensure that your clubface moves first on the backswing. The best way to feel this, is to have the clubface move to the instep of your right foot first, followed by the rotation of the hips. This will ensure that your swing path doesn't get compromised. The ideal movement that you can check when you're at the top of your backswing is that your left shoulder should have moved 90 degrees, hips 45 degrees and the knees 20 degrees.

If you'd like any further help in establishing the correct rotation, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.