Golf Digest Schools
Golf instruction truths: A simple way to make a bigger turn
Driving the ball with power requires a big body rotation, but a lot of golfers never get there because they don’t turn their shoulders correctly. They often focus on how far the lead shoulder turns, but top teacher Michael Breed emphasizes the trail shoulder. Here’s a drill Breed uses with his students.
Take two alignment sticks, place one on the ground, pointing down the target line, and hold the other one across your chest with each hand on the opposite shoulder. Using your lead hand, push your trail shoulder back and rotate until the alignment stick across your chest is at a 90-degree angle to the stick on the ground. At the top, you should feel like your trail shoulder has rotated behind your head. This will help you practice making a proper windup in the backswing, setting up more power at impact.
Once you feel as if you have this movement down, it’s time to test it out. Grab your driver and tee up a ball. Before starting your pre-shot routine, hold your club over your chest like you did the alignment stick and make a practice motion to reinforce that proper shoulder rotation. Then, set up to the ball and let it fly. Breed says a good swing thought is, “Turn the trail shoulder behind you.”
Watch the video below:
This drill is part of the new video series “3 Weeks to Peak,” in which Golf Digest Chief Digital Instructor Michael Breed teams up with Dr. Ara Suppiah, a noted sports physician and advisor to tour players, to create a three-week prep plan for fine-tuning your swing and strengthening your body and mind. Check out this new series in Golf Digest Schools today, and get on the fast track to mid-season form!
“3 Weeks to Peak” is one of more than 100 video programs in Golf Digest Schools. Take your game to the next level with instruction from the top teachers and players. And with the new Golf Digest Schools app, you can bring it all with you anywhere you go. Check out Golf Digest Schools, a revolutionary experience in golf instruction.