Proper shoulder turn

[Eracer]

Let me share a revelation I had today. It really was a "lightbulb going off" moment.

I have been reading Mr. Hogan's book, practicing the different lessons. As I was slowly swinging a club in front of a mirror, I suddenly realized that I did not make a correct shoulder turn. In fact, I realized that I had NEVER made a correct shoulder turn, except by accident. The turn back was all right - my left shoulder coming around and under my chin - but in the downswing my left shoulder was coming up, instead of rotating around my spine. This completely altered the relationship of my shoulders to my spine and killed any chance of proper rotation. It forced my right shoulder to come down AT the ball, instead of around and THROUGH the ball, no doubt in a misguided attempt to "swing from the inside".

I made a few slow practice swings, trying to rotate my shoulders perpendicular to my spine, allowing the right shoulder to pass what seemed like more outside-to-in. Then I went to the range.

Now, I have had many a range session where I was hitting decent shots, but this time, everything was different. I half expected such a big swing change (and believe me, I have never swung a golf club this way before) to produce a bunch of mishits. On the contrary, I hit really, really good, and more importantly - effortless golf shots. I felt connected and in sequence. I understand why Hogan preached about the "banded arms". It helps you feel a proper rotation by forcing you to stay upright and balanced.

I've always felt like it was hard to get into a proper finish, up on the right toe, facing the target, with the club up and over your left shoulder - all signs of an on-plane swing. But this was just happening - effortlessly - shot after shot.

I am going to practice my shoulder rotation every day, with a club held across my chest. I'm going to keep reading "Five Lessons". Thank you, Mr. Hogan, and thanks to those of you who preached the value of this book.

[Adam Pettman]

Right thats it I will have to get myself a copy

[Highdraw34]

Word. I feel like every aspect of my swing is in tune except shoulder turn. I'll definitely pick up that book.

[wirehair]

Turns are my bane. I do the same thing you do, but I always thought of it as my right shoulder coming down & over during my downswing. I hit a lot of fat shots.

Of course, turns are easy if you're not a fat old man. The hardest part is the lack of flexibility that 60 years of hard living brings.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by wirehair

Turns are my bane. I do the same thing you do, but I always thought of it as my right shoulder coming down & over during my downswing. I hit a lot of fat shots.

Of course, turns are easy if you're not a fat old man. The hardest part is the lack of flexibility that 60 years of hard living brings.

I am a fat old man, though not quite 60.

Definitely get the book. Even if you have a lifetime of bad habits (like me), I guarantee you will get some good out of the book. It's interesting that Hogan never talks specifically about shoulder rotation; in fact, he calls the downswing from top to follow-through one single thing. He doesn't break up the downswing into components at all. But his "pane-of-glass" swing plane imagery, together with the other lessons, just led me into understanding the proper shoulder turn.

Good golf.

[Slingblade61]

3 cheers for fat old men!

I'm not that old but I'm fat.

We should do a calendar!

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Slingblade61

3 cheers for fat old men!

I'm not that old but I'm fat.

We should do a calendar!

To quote Colonel Kurtz,

"The horror.......the horror..."

[token_hottie]

Can I get in on that calendar idea? You'd have to reserve a couple of months for my fat ass to fit though.

[SiberianDVM]

Originally Posted by token_hottie

Can I get in on that calendar idea? You'd have to reserve a couple of months for my fat ass to fit though.

Three months I should think: One cheek each for September & November, and October right in the middle.

[token_hottie]

I like how you think, Doc. Spread eagle on my orange hot rod - and a jack-o-lantern painted on my giant cannonball.

[Rockford35]

Remind me not to buy or look at this calendar.

R35