Pro Pointers - How to create good rotary motion

With a good posture (i.e. your chin nicely up and a spring in the knees) you are ready to think about creating a rotary action with the upper body. That’s the key to repeating a solid swing. The upper body turns – IT MUST NOT TILT!

One of the dangers you have to be wary of is picking the club up with the hands and arms, as opposed to turning your shoulders and creating a good wide arc. Pick the club up and you end up with the right side rising in the backswing, the shoulders basically tilting, as opposed to turning. And the result is a steep, choppy swing that cuts across the ball – and usually a slice.

Making a couple of practice swings with the club held a foot or so above the ball is a good way to encourage a level shoulder turn, as you see me demonstrating above. Get used to that sensation of turning your shoulders and shifting your weight in tandem with that motion. With a better sense of turning, you will hit solid tee shots.

Left: Making your practice swing with the clubhead held a foot or so above the ball will encourage the proper rotation of the shoulders, both on the way back...

Right: ...and all the way through the swing to a good finish. Repeat this a couple of times, then put that same swing on the ball