Make a full body turn

A simple drill that will add power and control to your swing

YOU achieve a good position at the top with a backswing that is a blend of arm-swing and body turn. When these two elements are coordinated, you can reach the top on-plane and with your body correctly coiled and primed to deliver controlled power.

However many club golfers struggle to find this blend.

Typically the hands and arms over-contribute to the club’s movement, leaving the body behind and the shoulders unturned. This puts the body in an advanced downswing position, the hands and arms can never catch up in the downswing.

The ideal backswing relationship is a strong and full body turn, allied to a short arm-swing. Achieve that arms and body move through the ball, and you’re creating a connected and powerful impact.

This is a simple drill to help your torso be more dominant in the backswing. It will help you feel a sound position at the top of the backswing and once you register that, finding it becomes a whole lot easier.

1

Start by taking your 6-iron and regular stance. Address the ball normally and then lift the club up and away from the ball so the top end of the shaft is resting on your right or trail shoulder. Feel your elbows relaxed and folded at your sides and check there is no tension in your arms or hands.

2

Rotate your torso to show your back to the target while keeping your arms passive. If you need to, allow some lateral movement to help you make this turn. As your torso rotates, allow your lead shoulder to turn behind the ball and permit a little weight shift into the inside of your trailing foot.

3

The first two steps remind you what a good trunk rotation feels like without interference from the arms. Now extend the arms out to restore the swing’s width. From here you are fully coiled and coordinated. Work regularly on these three steps and this position becomes easier to find regularly.