Golf Basics - Learn To Turn

One of the biggest challenges for beginning golfersAs you reach your full turn, again be mindful that
and an area of constant attention for low handicapyour head stays still and you are still comfortably
golfers as well as professionals is consistency in theirseeing the golf ball. At the height of your turn we
swing. For someone just beginning to learn and applywant to feel our weight braced against the instep of
the mechanics of the golf swing, one of the mostour right foot. Not rolled over the outside edge of
important concepts to get on the right track withthe right foot. Not rolled over the top of the right
right from the get-go is to learn that the golf swingfoot allowing the right hip to get outside of the line
is a rotation of the shoulders and the hips not theof our right leg. The weight distribution at your fullest
forearms and hands. In short, when learning the basicpart should be about 85% on the inside of the right
golf swing, learn to turn.foot. Do not allow yourself to 'reverse pivot' when
One very simple drill you can perform to reinforceyou turn. By that I mean, as you turn you don't want
and to illustrate this concept is to place a golf ball (orto dip your left shoulder and head and accomplish
any similar object that you can focus on) on the flooryour turn by dipping and ending up with the majority
in front of you. Stand over the ball as you wouldof your weight on your left foot at full turn instead
normally properly address the ball. With a slight bendof your right. Hence reversing the intended weight
in the waist and knees, and with a flat back. Takedistribution.
your left hand and place it on your right shoulder andAs you begin to release your turn you should do so
do the same with your right hand on your leftwith your hips and shoulders. Again keeping your
shoulder. In other words, fold your arms across youraforementioned posture in tact. As your hip and
chest.shoulder initiate the return sequence, your weight will
From this position emulate your take-away from themove in the same fashion proportionally from your
ball. It is important to keep your posture in tact andright to your left side. Allow your hips and shoulders
your chin slightly up. This allows your left shoulderto pass through the original address position with
(assuming a right handed golf swing) to pass slightlyyour right should now passing slightly under your chin
under your chin. The key while doing this is to keepmuch as your left shoulder did on the takeaway. All
your head still and your eyes focused on the ball onthe while keeping your focus on the golf ball you
the floor in front of you. Ultimately, you'll want toplaced on the floor at address. Upon finish your
make a full shoulder rotation that completes withweight will now have moved from the right to the
your upper back approaching a point where it isleft side. Your hips and bellybutton should finish facing
actually pointing toward the target. Your hipsyour intended target with your head and eyes not
(bellybutton) should achieve an angle of about half asleaving their focus on the ball until they are naturally
much.pulled up and toward your target by the finish.