Driving · Drill
Hold Your Shoulders Back to Straighten Your Drives
Part of our driving programs for slice, push or pull, not enough distance. Build a program with it
Many slices start because the shoulders open too fast from the top. That throws the club outside in. Try setting up with your upper body turned slightly away from the target. That makes it harder to start down with your shoulders. Then add a small sink in your legs as you start the downswing. Push up from the ground after that. Your shoulders wait, then speed up late. That sends energy out to the club and straightens your path.
The drill
- Set up with your chest slightly closed.
- Keep your shoulders turned as you start down.
- Sink a little in your legs.
- Push up from the ground through impact.
- Rehearse slowly, then hit drivers.
Why it works
When the shoulders open first, the arms and club get pushed outside the target line, and the club then cuts across the ball from outside in. A slightly closed chest makes it harder to start down by spinning the shoulders. The small sink and push up from the ground lets the lower body lead, so the shoulders turn later and faster, and the club can approach from the inside.
Common mistakes
- You close your chest so far that your whole stance points right of the target.Keep your feet and hips square and turn only your upper body a small amount away from the target.
- You sink by dipping your head and upper body instead of bending your legs.Let your knees flex a little while your head and spine angle stay about the same.
- You hold your shoulders back so long that you never release them through impact.Let the shoulders start turning as the push up from the ground begins, so they speed up late and finish facing the target.
How you'll know it's working
- Your divot or tee marks show the club moving along the target line or slightly from the inside, not clearly across it.
- The ball starts at or just right of the target and stops curving left or right as much.
- You feel your legs push the ground before your chest turns, and the club feels like it is thrown out late.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Rehearse the move slowly with no ball, pausing at the start of the downswing to feel the closed chest and the sink.
Harder: Hit drivers at full speed from a tee, picking a narrow target and keeping the same sequence on every swing.
Common questions
Why do my shoulders open too early in the downswing?
Many golfers try to hit the ball with the upper body, so the shoulders spin first. That moves the club outside the line and often causes a slice or a pull.
Should my chest be closed at address for a driver?
Only slightly, as a drill to stop the shoulders from starting down first. Turn your upper body a little away from the target, and keep your feet and hips square.
