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Article 5 - Learn the turn for your body - July 2007

Learn the turn for your body

One of the most important components to a consistent golf swing is the way in which the body moves. Many articles in golf magazines, golf books and videos pay a lot of attention to the ‘body turn’ and quite rightly so, it’s all very relevant. But as we stated in our last article sometimes at the expense of the arm swing.

What we want to do is try and simplify some of the body thoughts and concentrate on the key issue that will improve your ball striking - maintaining your spine angle set at address as you turn your body throughout your swing. This is commonly referred to as “keeping your height” and is not as easy as it sounds -  even Tiger Woods struggles with this.when he loses his height during the downswing with the driver.

It also appears that different golfers turn their bodies in different ways. The fact is that everyone turns in pretty much the same way but just at different angles dependant on their posture at address that has been influenced by their body shape, build and level of flexibility.

 The options for your body turn

1. Turn from a more tilted over posture (bent over from the hips 35 to 45 degrees)

Features
- More tilted forward from the hips at address
- Left shoulder turns lower in the back swing
- Right shoulder turns lower through impact

2. Turn from a more upright posture (bent over 25 to 35 degrees from the hips)

Features
- Spine tilted forward to a lesser extent
- Left shoulder turns higher but still lower than right one
- Likewise through impact, right shoulder slightly lower than left.

In both examples above, the spine angle (therefore the head) remains constant during the turning motion.

Which one do I choose?

Firstly, try both and see how you go. Chances are you will have to be very flexible to achieve instant success with the more tilted posture and turn, as the angle you need at impact takes practice. The answer to which turn would suit you may come from the arm swing you tend to make coupled with your level of flexibility and degree of body turn.

If you have a tendency to swing your arms flatter (more around the body) a more tilted-over posture and turn may suit your swing. Notice in the pictures below how the left arm at the top of the back swing is parallel to the tilted shoulder turn (i.e. the left arm covers the shoulders at the top - see the two photos below).

Conversely, if you have a tendency to swing your arms in an up and down motion, a more upright posture and turn may be best suited to you. See the difference at the top of the back swing where the left arm is more upright than the shoulder turn (i.e. the left arm is seen above the shoulders at the top - see the two photos below).

I hope this article gives you an insight to your golf swing but also helps you understand why golf swings can look so different. The angles set at address (either tilted or upright) can lead to very different looking positions throughout the swing and different swing tempos.

If you have any questions or for further information please email us, we are more than happy to help.