Hey there, we’re diving deep into the intricacies of right and left side bend, along with the essential role of upper body rotation in perfecting your golf swing. This isn’t just about hitting the ball; it’s about becoming a better ball striker and eliminating those pesky swing faults that may be holding you back. So, let’s jump right in and explore how these fundamental principles can transform your game.
You can watch the video here or keep on reading:
When you address the golf ball, your posture naturally involves a certain degree of bending over. To maintain this posture, you need to establish the right balance of right and left side bend or tilt. Here’s what you need to do to ensure you stay in this critical position:
- Feel the Shoulder Turn: As you swing back, your shoulders should turn in a way that the club’s end points slightly in front of the ball, not directly at it or level with the ground.
- Left Side Compression: Your left side should feel like it compresses or squishes slightly, maintaining the tilt.
- Right Side Extension: Simultaneously, your right side should feel like it extends or elongates, further preserving the tilt.
- Deep Right Hip: Your right hip should feel like it moves deeper into the swing. This deepening of the hip helps you maintain the posture and tilt.
Now, let’s discuss some common faults that can derail your golf swing:
- Weight on Toes: If your weight shifts towards your toes during the swing, you’re likely to lose your tilt and end up with a flat shoulder turn.
- Flat Shoulders: Attempting to gain extra shoulder turn by flattening your shoulders often results in standing up, disrupting your tilt.
- Shoulder Dive: When players lose their posture, the left shoulder tends to dive, leading to a steep club path and the dreaded over-the-top move.
- Flat Shoulders and Overcompensation: A combination of flat shoulders and an over-the-top move can spell disaster for your golf shots.
- Closed Body and Stuck Position: Some skilled golfers who lose their tilt tend to keep their bodies closed, resulting in a stuck position and poor ball contact.
It’s crucial to strike the right balance when it comes to side bend. Overdoing it or reversing the tilt can lead to issues.
A powerful golf swing hinges on an effective shoulder turn. Here’s how to achieve it:
- Rather than focusing on turning your shoulders, visualize your ribcage driving the club back.
- Envision your left shoulder moving across your body or your right shoulder moving behind your head.
- Your chin should move slightly to the right during the backswing to avoid restricting shoulder rotation.
- For extra help, open up your left foot slightly, which allows your hips to turn more freely.
By combining these techniques with proper side bend, you’ll achieve a fuller, more powerful, and easier shoulder turn in your backswing.
Transitioning from the backswing to impact involves a reversal of your tilt. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- At impact, your left side should feel like it extends, while your right side starts to scrunch.
Finally, let’s talk about wrist flexibility, which is crucial for a clean ball strike. To assess your wrist flexibility:
- Take a 6 or 7 iron and flex your wrist down. The club’s toe should align with the hinging motion.
- Flex your wrist up and ensure it returns to the opposite position.
- You can also check if you have the strength to do this with a closed fist.
If you find any limitations, work on improving your wrist flexibility through dedicated drills.
In conclusion, mastering right and left side bend, along with a powerful shoulder turn, can greatly enhance your golf game. Maintain your posture, find the right balance, and ensure your wrist flexibility is up to par. These simple yet effective techniques will pave the way for a smoother, more consistent swing and, ultimately, lower scores on the course.