Improve your spine angle.

October 1, 2000

Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2 and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.

Monthly Golf Tip by the Mel Sole Golf School.

Nancy Hines of Toronto suggested this month's golf tip. She asks, "I have a habit of "slouching" over the ball at address. However, I know that my spine angle needs to be straight to make the proper turn. How do you suggest I work on this ?"

The Problem.

Nancy, you are absolutely right. Even the great Jack Nicklaus used to have problems with slouching. To make a proper turn on the backswing, the spine needs to be straight. Here is a simple drill to Improve your spine angle.

The Cure.

In picture #1, Nancy is in her original posture. Notice how the shoulders are rounded, and the chin is down.

Improve your spine angle.

Take a long iron and hold one end at the back of your head and the other at the bottom of your spine, as in picture #2.

Improve your spine angle.

Now bend forward into your address position, keeping the shaft in place as in picture #3 - do not let the shaft drift away from either your head or the bottom of your spine at this point.

Improve your spine angle.

Now take the club down to the ball without changing your position, as in picture #4. This is the proper spine angle at the address. The back is now straight, and the chin is up. With the chin now in the proper position, she will make a much better shoulder turn.

This might feel a little weird at first, but after a few practice sessions like this, your posture will have improved, and so will your ball striking!

These pictures were taken during an actual lesson and were not "staged." Nevertheless, the improvement in Nancy's posture after only a few minutes is noticeable. After a few sessions on the range and at home in the yard, her posture will improve even further, and she will finally feel comfortable.

Source: Mel Sole Golf School.

Thanks for reading - Improve your spine angle. This is step 1 to building a good golf swing!

Monthly Golf Tip by the Mel Sole Golf School.

The Problem.

The Cure.

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