Heath 101: Problems and fixes

Do two sets of each exercise (eight reps); repeat in the opposite direction if movement is to one side. 

1

1. THE PROBLEM: OVER THE TOP

By Dave Phillips and Dr. Greg Rose
Illustrations By Jason Lee November 2007

If you can't turn your lower body independently of your upper body (the pelvic-rotation test), then you'll likely swing "over the top" of the target line from outside to inside on a steep angle. This causes sliced or pulled shots. You want to swing down from inside the target line.

 
Health 101
2

2. THE PROBLEM: CHICKEN WING

If your shoulders are inflexible (90-90 test), your arms will have difficulty rotating and folding. Shoulder issues can cause the left arm to jut away from the body at the elbow during the through-swing and look like a chicken wing. This inflexibility can cause elbow tendinitis and sliced shots.

 
3

3. THE PROBLEM: BODY SWAY

If your hips are inflexible, your lower body can't turn properly (pelvic- and trunk-rotation tests). Instead of rotating, your hips will sway away from the target in the backswing and your body weight will shift outside your feet. You'll struggle to shift your weight toward the target, and you'll hit fat or thin shots.

 
Fitness
4

4. THE PROBLEM: FLAT SHOULDER PLANE

If you have issues with your latisimus back muscles and your shoulders are tight (the supine lat test), then you will have a tendency to lose your posture during the backswing and make a poor turn with your shoulders. The club will be off plane, and the loss of posture will make it difficult to produce solid contact.

 
Fitness
5

5. THE PROBLEM: GETTING STUCK

If you have issues with your lower body, particularly your ankles (overhead deep-squat test), your pelvis will thrust forward on the downswing and move into the space where the club was supposed to travel. The club gets stuck behind the body, and this leads to blocked and hooked shots.

 
Golf Digest

SUBSCRIBE TO GOLF DIGEST

and get Two Golf Tips Guides FREE -- Just for ordering!

12 issues for $14.97
*Plus applicable sales taxNon-USA - Click Here
 

Read Photo Credits

July 20, 2008

Latest Issue

Golf Digest August 2008 Issue
August 2008
The Power Issue: Gain 42 Yards, Ochoa Sequence, Palmer's Rules, China: Golf in the Year of the Rat
CLICK FOR PAST ISSUES

Voices

Tim Rosaforte
Tim Rosaforte
Mickelson flexes his acting chops
Johnny Miller
Johnny Miller
Making a case for easier courses
David Owen
David Owen
My Usual Game: The folly of forecasts
Jerry Tarde
Jerry Tarde
The longest hitter, pound for pound
Stina Sternberg
Stina Sternberg
Help! My girlfriend wants me to give her lessons

The Golf Guru

Golf Guru
Is it OK to chip the ball instead of putt it? What the heck does is "a left-brain golfer"?
Read column >
QUESTIONS? ASK THE GURU

Final Exam

Andy Garcia
Andy Garcia
Does this "Ocean's Eleven" star know the score?
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Can radio's top conservative name a liberal?
Chris Berman
Chris Berman
Does the Boomer know the tour's Boom Boom?
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
Can he name the top NFL players who play golf?

Challenge

Break 100-90-80

Want to improve? Get personalized help with the Golf Digest Challenge. Start Now!

NEWSLETTERS

Golf Digest's newsletter
Golf World's newsletter

Golf Digest Subscribe >

Golf World

Visit Subscribe

Golf for Women

Visit Subscribe
Conde Nast Store
Subscribe

Best Places to Play — Course Finder

Advertiser Events & Promotions