Golf Swing - Setup - Spine Position

An article by: Bobby Eldridge on 11-22-2007
This article has been read 4556 times.

The Spine's Role during the Golf Swing

The spine has taken on an all important part in the golf swing and golf instruction in the past 10 years. Not many words were written about the spine and its role in the golf swing until then. If the spine stays long during the backswing, not rigid, you can make a much bigger turn (#30).

What happens if the spine is curved at address?

If your spine is curved at the golf swing address the shoulders will have a tendency to tilt and not turn (#28). In the downswing the shoulders will have a tendency to turn on top of the golf ball instead of moving under. If the shoulders can move under, the golf club will stay on the path in the downswing (producing an inside to out swing). As the golf club swings back the right shoulder has to turn to allow the golf club to swing up, if the spine is too long (#29) the club will swing around too much and not up enough.

Golf Instruction - How the Spine supports the golf swing

There is yet another role the spine plays in the golf swing. At the top of the backswing the spine supports the upper body, the golf club, the arms and most importantly the speed at which we swing the golf club. If the spine maintains its length in the backswing, you will be able to swing the arms at a greater speed in the downswing.

Golf Instruction - How the Spine relates to Swing Speed

The golf club is at its maximum speed as it nears the golf ball and the spine is supporting the "frame of the golf swing" - your upper body. As the club head passes the impact zone the spine is at its most vulnerable position and from that point to the finish is when the spine is taking a real beating (physically).

Maintaining the correct spine angle during the golf swing will play a major role in club head speed and, the direction the club actually swings (swing path). The spine maintains the same angle from address to one foot past impact and it is critical that it starts from the correct position.

If you are in the correct posture at address no changes are necessary. If you are standing too tall at address, bending at the hips will solve this problem. If you are bent over too much at the top of the spine or your shoulders are too curved, you will have to take a very serious look into changing your spine angle. Opening your shoulders and lifting your chin will be a great place to start.

Click Here to see our Full Swing golf instruction DVD or...

You can continue viewing golf lessons on the golf swing setup. The next lesson in the Setup series is on the chin. Or you can view golf lessons on the golf backswing, downswing, or follow through.