Many amateur golfers have difficulty in finding an accurate and repeatable golf swing. Why? Because they do not know how to square shoulders in a golf swing.
You might be wondering what do square shoulders have to do with having a good golf swing.
Actually, squaring shoulders is crucial in properly performing swings.
Basically, squaring shoulders means that you are positioning your shoulders to be parallel to the target line as your golf club is heading for contact against the ball.
Doing so, allows your body to build up power and momentum so that your golf club will be able to accelerate faster. Causing the impact of the clubhead against the ball will have more “punch”.
How to Square Shoulders in a Golf Swing?
Do not worry if you do not know how to square shoulders in a golf swing because there are many drills that you can easily practice even when you are at home.
Here are three basic drills that many can benefit from!
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Correcting your address
You might be wondering what does the address have to do with how to square shoulders in a golf swing. The answer is simple: every golf swing starts with getting into a good address.
Having squared shoulders does not only help during the downswing or the point where your golf club head makes an impact with the ball.
It also helps you during your address while setting up for your swing.
If you start your swing with the shoulders already squared, then logically, you will have better chances of getting a squared impact.
To do this, you will start with the normal golf stance and while doing so, you should check if your shoulders are in a position that is parallel to your target.
If you are having trouble determining if your shoulders are parallel to the target line or not, you can use your golf club instead.
When you are on a driving range or on the golf course, take a step back behind from your stance and use your club as a measuring stick to see if it is parallel to the target line.
If not, then you should adjust your address position before swinging at the ball. Your shoulders should now follow the position of the golf club that is parallel to the target line.
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Slap exercise
Slapping your own hands may sound silly for you at first, but it is actually a good drill for golfers who want to know how to square shoulders in a golf swing.
This drill can be done anywhere, and you can do it without the use of a golf club!
To do this drill, you must first get into a proper swinging stance. Your feet must be shoulder-width apart and you should be standing upright all throughout.
Next, you can extend your arms in front of you so that it will be parallel to your target. After doing so, bend your knees and drop both your arms so that it would be resting on your chest.
Lastly, you should bend forward using your waists.
During the slap exercise, you should treat your arms as if they are clubs. Start by putting your palms together.
Move your dominant hand back just as how you would cock back your golf club during the takeaway.
Following the normal swinging motion, move your hands from the back all the way down as you prepare to slap your non-dominant hand.
Remember, that your non-dominant hand should always be at your front and it should be steady.
Once your dominant hand hits your non-dominant hand, their position should still be the same during your stance.
If it does, then you have positioned your shoulders to be parallel to your target line and you will have a squared impact.
One good indicator that you are doing the exercise correctly, is that after the impact, your shoulders and your arms should be at the same position when you get into the swinging stance.
If you notice your shoulders are too open and your hands are at a position that is far too forward compared to its position during your stance, then you would have performed a slice instead.
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Use a hitting bag
If you cannot practice on a golf range and you feel like the slap exercise is not doing the trick, then you can try using a hitting bag. This is a padded bag to be used as a substitute for a ball.
It is important to use a bag that is not too soft that your clubhead would just rip through it, and a bag that is not too hard that your clubhead would not be bent when it impacts.
When you swing against a hitting bag, make sure that you are in a proper stance. That your shoulders and your club will form a straight line leading down towards the bag at impact.
A hitting bag is a good alternative to other devices that measures the alignment of your shoulders during the impact.
You can use your golf clubs to practice on a hitting bag even if you want to know how to square shoulders in a golf swing, but do not have time to go to a driving range.
How to turn shoulders in a golf swing?
Many amateurs overlook the importance of shoulder movements throughout their swing. If you want to know how to turn shoulders in a golf swing or how to rotate shoulders in a golf swing,
Here is a guide on how to do so in each part of your swing.
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One-piece takeaway
Many professional golfers perform a one-piece takeaway wherein the shoulders’ movement basically dictates the motion.
There are two important movements for your shoulders during the one-piece takeaway: turning and rotating.
If you want to know how to turn shoulders in a golf swing or how to rotate shoulders in a golf swing, then you should start by practicing the correct shoulder movements during the one-piece takeaway.
To perform the one-piece takeaway, start by rotating shoulders backward.
This would then direct your waists to turn your body and your hands that are gripping the golf club to be positioned towards the direction of your shoulders.
Remember that the goal of the takeaway is to “cock back” your golf club. Your shoulder will be responsible for building up the torque for your swing.
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During the backswing
Getting the correct shoulder movements during the backswing is also helpful if you want to know how to turn shoulders in a golf swing or how to rotate shoulders in a golf swing.
The backswing ensures that the torque that you have built up during the takeaway will be able to be directed smoothly towards the downswing or until the golf club head has impacted the ball.
When you begin your backswing, your shoulders should move first by turning downwards.
Your waists should only begin to turn as you finish your backswing or when the golf club head is at a position that is parallel to the ground.
For you to get a better picture of how to turn shoulders in a golf swing or how to rotate shoulders in a golf swing, you can observe your shoulder movements during the backswing.
Remember that your shoulders direct the movements of your arms all the way up to the movement of your golf club.
When the shoulder movements are too wide, you are in danger of building too much power than what is needed for your swing.
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On to the downswing
The motion during the downswing is much faster compared to the takeaway and the backswing.
Your goal during the downswing is to use your momentum to direct the ball towards its swing route towards impact with the ball.
If you want to know how to rotate shoulders in a golf swing, then performing the downswing will be a good opportunity to learn how!
Your shoulders should be kept at the back during the downswing so that your feet will be able to smoothly shift your weight towards the direction of your golf club as it travels its swing route.
The shoulders should rotate to its original position during the address when you are performing the downswing.
Doing so will help you to direct the golf club properly so that you will get a straight golf shot.
Square it Up!
Consistency is the key to perform proper golf swings that can be repeated throughout the game.
You can achieve this by working on one of the essentials for golf swings: the shoulder movements.
Start by practicing the drills that can help you how to square shoulders in a golf swing.
Keep in mind that having squared shoulders increases your chances of getting accurate and solid shots.
The ball will be more likely to land on the holes or at least, on a position that you want.
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Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Paul Roger Steinberg