So How Does The Turn Work??

Once you understand that you need to turn in the swing, the next question is 'how do you turn'? Most golfers do in fact turn in their swing, however most beginner and intermediate golfers find it hard to turn correctly. This is for two reasons: firstly a misunderstanding of what makes a good turn and secondly once you understand how to turn, being able to have your body make the movement seamlessly.

Now the first aspect to understand when trying to turn correctly is that the body and club don't move at the same time. You want to make sure that as you start the swing, the clubface will move first followed by the body. The best way of ensuring that you do this, is only start turning the body once the clubface reaches your right instep. Also when you think of turn, think more about moving your right hip behind you. You want to feel the right hip move behind you while the right leg starts to straighten. The right leg won't completely lock out though, it will stay just slightly flexed once you reach the top of the swing.

Now when you analyse elite golfers from face on, you may think everything stays perfectly still, specifically the head. However, when you look closely you will that the head moves slightly to the right. This is just due to needing to load a little onto the right side to start the swing. What you will also see is that the hips do move slightly to the right also. When I say slightly, it's only a small margin. Therefore, when you do start moving your right hip behind you, try and feel the rotation of the hips without too much lateral movement to the right. I often say, feel like you're in a confined space while turning on your backswing.

Now the best drill to use when trying to feel the correct rotation of the body is the lawnmower drill. This is simply where you go into your golf posture and put both of your hands out in front of you. You then want to imagine that with your right hand, that you're pulling the cord of the lawn mower straight back. More specifically you want to feel the right elbow and right hip come back at the same time. I'd recommend watching yourself in the mirror while you do this so you can monitor the head staying relatively stable.

If you'd like any further information about how to turn correctly in your golf swing, just contact myself at David Waters Golf located at Emerald Lakes Golf Coaching Centre.