Use the Wall to keep the Angle

We know that one of the biggest misconceptions in golf is that we have taken our eyes off the ball and moved our heads too much if we hit a bad shot. Using slow motion replay it has been shown many times this isn’t the real cause of bad shots. However, when we watch really good players hit ball in normal speed we can marvel at how steady they keep their heads during the backswing and downswing. This is a by-product of their abilities to maintain the initial spine angle while rotating the trunk of the body. This is one of the biggest keys to a repeating efficient swing.

To do this effectively you must understand good posture at address and have reasonable flexibility/mobility in your rotation, also good core muscle control will help enormously. Here’s an exercise or drill you can try at home or against any wall to simulate the feeling you are trying to get in your swing.

First, place a cushion between your head and a wall, then fold your arms across your chest and get into a good address posture. Keeping the cushion against the wall, pivot or rotate your trunk back and through keeping against a fairly steady head position. Allow your head to swivel slightly if it helps in the rotation. Also if you turn through fully the cushion should fall away as your spine will straighten at this point, this is ok.

Turn around and adopt the good posture again but this time with your backside touching the wall. Repeat the rotating motion trying to maintain contact with the wall until well after the impact stage.

If you do this drill regularly you will begin to understand the feeling of good spine angle control whilst still rotating in the swing. It may also highlight where some of the problem lies:-

Poor Posture

 Poor Flexibility

 Poor Core stability

About Paul Thompson:

Advanced PGA Professional Paul Thompson is the resident professional at Powerscourt Golf Club in Wicklow since 1995. In addition to providing coaching on-site he also is a coach with The Golfing Union of Ireland. Appointments with Paul can be booked via Powerscourt Golf Club Reception: Tel (01) 204 6033 or the Golf Shop Tel (01) 204 6031. Read more about lessons from Paul Thompson by visiting the Powerscourt Golf Club Website.