There’s a fine line in the golf swing between swaying and turning, and the difference can be disastrous.
A proper golf swing features a solid turn to the top, followed by a shift of your weight onto the front side as you transition into the downswing toward impact. But with a poor golf swing, players will sway — not turn — to the top and then slide back toward the target during the downswing, which can cause a host of problems.
Watch any pro golfer and you can see the proper sequence in their move. Take the swing of LPGA pro Gabi Ruffels below. You can see how she turns to the top and then “bumps” her hips toward the target as she transitions into the downswing. The result is an efficient and powerful swing that every amateur is envious of.
But while this sequence can look simple when the pros do it, it’s anything but. When trying to perfect this sequence, lots of recreational golfers will instead sway their bodies, which is not what you want to do.
Luckily, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Kevin Sprecher has a perfect drill to cure this ailment, and all you need is a single club.
Take the club and put your hands on both ends, putting pressure on either side to hold the shaft between your hands. Next, make a few body turns back and through while holding the shaft. Keeping pressure on either end of the shaft will help eliminate the sway and force you to turn properly.
Check out the full sequence in the video below.
If you sway you will feel it straight away and know that you need to be making a batter turn during your swing.
This is a great drill to use at the range — or even while on the course — that will teach you the feel of a proper turn and eliminate the sway in your swing.