golf swing should be a seemless motion, but rare is the swing action that doesnt feature some awkward

body position and an off-balance finish. When the transition from the backswing to the through-swing is not conducted properly, a players timing breaks down. Ball striking becomes more unpredictable, and theres almost certainly a loss of power and control.
THE PIVOT
The proper pivot is essential to a balanced finish and solid contact. The pivot is the sequence of movements that occur as the body turns into the backswing position and follows through to impact and the finish. However, at the top of the backswing, some golfers have a tendency to keep their weight on the left side (if theyre right-handers) instead of allowing the weight to transfer to the right side.This causes what is known as a reverse pivot (1). The incorrect backswing motion results in the shoulders moving ahead of the hips, creating an outside path (pull slice) and complete loss of power. At your address position, the hips and shoulders are at zero degrees (2). In the correct backswing pivot, the hips turn at 45 degrees while the shoulders continue to 90 degrees (3). Eighty-five percent of the your weight remains on the inside of the right leg and the right knee remains flexed. This crucial sequencing of the backswing pivot through to impact is necessary to maintain the power of the swing. The sequencing of the body pivot as it unwinds back to impact is as follows:

The

i) As the hips begin to unwind, the shoulders must move concurrently, keeping the 45degree gap between the hips and shoulders back to impact. Shoulders and hips parallel to target line ii) At impact, the shoulders are parallel to
slightly open to the target line, and the hips have rotated 45 degrees open (4).

iii) The shoulders do not catch up until

the finish position is reached (5).

Shoulders turn to 90
Instruction hosted by Magna GC

Shoulders parallel to target line Hips approximately 45 open to target line

Hips turn to 45

3
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THE CRISS-CROSS DRILL

Heres how to train your body to execute the proper pivot.

i) Set up into your posture position (6). ii) Right shoulder is lower than the left
shoulder (if you are a right handed golfer).

iii) Cross your arms over your chest. iv) As you begin the pivot, your shoulders
and hips move together to 45 degrees. Your right leg remains flexed and your weight has moved and stays to the inside of your right leg. Your left knee points at the ball.

v) At this point, your hip turn is completed and your shoulders will continue to wind over top of your hips to 90 degrees. Your left shoulder is slightly lower than your right. The backswing pivot is now complete (7). vi) As you unwind from the backswing pivot to the impact position, the 45-degree gap between your shoulders and hips will be maintained at impact. vii) At impact (8), your shoulders are
square to slightly open to your target line and your hips are between 30 and 45 degrees open. Your weight is on your left leg (85 percent), and your leg is straight. Your knee is pointing in towards the ball and your heel has rolled inward.

viii) Your left hip and upper body continue to unwind in sequence to the finish position. ix) In your finish position (9), 90 degrees
of your weight rests on your forward foot. Stomach and chest are pointing towards the target, knees are together, and you come up on your right toe (the forward leg is straight, not locked).

THE FINISH POSITION

In the address position, place your left hand on the grip and your right hand near the club head. Place the club on your belt buckle so that it points at the target. Now simply turn and face the target. You should come up on your right toe (foot straight up), with your knees touching and your

belt buckle facing straight at the target. JOHN COCHRANE JOHN COCHRANE At the finish position, 90 percent of your is the director of golf at is the director of golf at John E.S. Cochrane Golf weight is on your left foot. Your right knee Family Golf Oakville and Schools and the 2001 is touching your left. You are standing the 2001 Ontario PGA Ontario PGA Teacher of straight up with your body pointing down Teacher of the Year. the Year. your target line. Your club is over your left He can be reached at shoulder at ear height, parallel to the jcochrane4@cogeco.ca John can be reached at: ground. Your thumb is underneath the john@johnescochranegolfschools.com shaft and you form a square letter C with both arms. Elbows are the same distance apart as they were at the address position. On the finish, your right shoulder is slightly lower than your left, just the opposite to the backswing shoulder position. Get used to these positions. By mastering the proper pivot, youll have ensured a balanced approach to ball-striking.
FALL 2002 OG

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