How to Stop Shoulder Tilt, Reverse Pivot Drill

Swing Tilt Drill, Stop Reverse Pivot and Turn Shoulders in Plane

Jul 4, 2009 John Hoskison

A reverse pivot, or tilt, golf swing causes back injury and wayward shots. Improve your golf by learning to turn the shoulders in plane with a reverse pivot swing drill.

A body tilt or reverse pivot is one of the most damaging faults in the golf swing. It is normally caused by incorrect posture in the stance. The rocking body motion of a tilt causes the lower vertebrae in the back to compress which causes excruciating pain during the golf swing. A tilting action also makes it very difficult to come into the ball on the correct swing path. If you can learn to stand correctly and then turn your shoulders instead of tilting them, it will help back pain and enable you to hit the ball properly.

Correct Stance to Stop a Tilt

A good body turn means the shoulders turn round the spine. Therefore it is essential to have an address position where the spine is straight. However, many club golfers stand to the ball with the top of the spine bent over as their head looks down at the ball.

When you stand to the ball bend from the waist and keep the chin up and away from the chest. At address a golfer should use the eyes to look at down at the ball and keep the head position up.

Reverse Pivot or Body Tilt Drill

Use this drill to make sure you turn round the spine.
Stand upright and hold a club across your chest. (pic 1)
Extend one arm out in front of you at right angles to your spine (pic2)
Bend over from the waist still holding the club in front of you and with the arm still extended (pic 3)
The arm will point to a spot in front of you, which the club should point to when you turn (pic 4)
If the club points below that spot then you have tilted and turned the shoulders on a steep angle.
When you swing through, the other end of the club should point to the same spot (pic 5)
If you can practice this drill you will find yourself being able to turn round the spine correctlyfor less pain and a better swing path into the ball.

Turn in the Golf Swing

Once you have practiced the turn there is still one thing you have to particularly guard against during a full swing. If the turn is too fast, it is possible for the right leg to buckle under the stress. Even if you have perfect mechanics, the swing can go wrong if there is not enough timing and tempo. Build up the speed of your turn gradually so the tension created can be contained by the right leg on the backswing and the left leg on the downswing.

If you have found this article interesting please read - Create a Wide Arc for Power in the Golf Swing or How to Hit a Driver - PGA Pro Tips to Hit Driver

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