Texas Children's Houston Open

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Driving

David Leadbetter: It's OK To Spin Out

March 11, 2012
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You've probably heard a golfer use the term "spinout" before. It sounds like a bad thing, but in many cases it's not. It's often a term associated with good players who have quick lower-body action. If they clear their hips too aggressively on the downswing, there are times when the arms and club lag too far behind and they struggle to square the clubface at impact. They feel like they spun out. Although it might produce a block or hook, this type of spinout can result in powerful drives that find the fairway. It's a good thing for average golfers to copy.

Many amateurs incorrectly spin out with the upper body when they start down from the top. The weight shifts away from the target and they swivel around the back leg (above, left). This type of spinout produces a weak hit, usually a slice or a pull, and is the reverse of what you want to feel.

When you start the downswing, you want to move your weight into your front foot and then try to clear your hips hard by rotating them toward the target (above, right). As long as your shoulders and chest are facing the ball at impact, you'll hit some powerful shots with this type of fast hip action.

*David Leadbetter is a Golf Digest Teaching Professional based at ChampionsGate near Orlando. He operates 26 golf academies worldwide. *