Swing Tips

Posture for Power

The ability to turn the body freely and swing the arms freely on both sides of the swing is the effect of a correct posture. A reverse pivot, an in-correct shoulder plane, a change in spine angle and an in-correct arm plane is the effect of an in-correct posture. Posture yourself correctly and the pivot and arm plane will be correct. The body angles established at address will allow you to turn on a consistent axis throughout.

The proper width of stance allows the body to turn and the weight to shift. For a middle iron the outside of your feet should be shoulder-width apart. For your driving club the inside part of your feet should be shoulder-width apart.

As you posture yourself, keep in mind the term “hinge” not “sit,” as you maintain your neutral spine angle. What I mean regarding a neutral spine, is to match your normal standing posture. If you are slightly rounded, maintain this roundness over the golf ball. If you attempt to decrease or increase your natural roundness you will increase your tension level. A simple routine that will assist you with the correct hinge is to take a middle iron and rehearse the next five steps:

1. With your feet shoulder-width apart, stand tall with a neutral spine with your arms stretched in front with the correct grip.
2. Hinge from your hips as you maintain your neutral spine. As you hinge, maintain the distance between your chest and chin. The amount of bend will be approximately 45% forward.
3. Flex your knees slightly as you maintain your hinge in your hips and your neutral spine.
4. Allow the arms to drop and fall freely behind the ball. The club shaft should be at right angles to your spine. Arms hanging directly below your shoulders. Weight should be on the balls of you feet. Maintain your hinge at your hips with a neutral spine.
5. Tilt your spine slightly to your right. Your lead-side should be higher than the trailing side. Left side of your body: shoulder, hip and knee, should be in line with your right side under. This tilt to the right is the effect of the right hand lower on the club.

This exercise will assist you with the correct hinged posture. This posture will allow you to turn your shoulders 90 degrees and your hips 45 degrees during the backswing. With your head up, your shoulders can turn freely on the backswing. With your arms hanging freely from your shoulders at address the arms will swing up and down, the neutral and hinged spine will allow you to maintain your axis throughout.