BACKSWING EXERCISES

Good players can rotate the torso at least 60 degrees while keeping the lower body nearly still. Click here to test your torso rotation. These exercises demonstrated by coach Josh Leyes will help you coil better in your backswing and swing on plane. —Chris Finn, one of Golf Digest's Best Fitness Trainers

Isolating movement in the mid back and opening the ribcage while keeping the lower body stable is key to making a full turn and bombing it.

Lie on your side with your top leg bent 90 degrees and resting on a pad
Hold that leg’s knee down while you rotate away from it and breathe in
Try to rotate a little farther as you exhale
Do two sets, 6-9 reps, then flip over and do the same in the opposite direction

This exercise improves spinal mobility and side bending, helping you make a bigger backswing while preventing a flat shoulder turn.

Sitting with your arms crossed and knees pinching a yoga block, rotate your torso in an upright position in either direction
Then side bend in the direction of the turn without losing rotation
With each rep, try to rotate a bit farther before bending
Do two sets of 6-8 reps in both directions