Rotational Golf Swing Drill: Rotate Like the Pros, Pain-Free!

I added the Rotational Golf Swing Feel Drill to the Golf Practice Planner today because increasing your rotation makes the game so much easier.

Name
Rotational Golf Swing Feel Drill

Category
Long Game Practice Drills

Difficulty
1 out of 10

Time
5 minutes

Props
Any golf club. Golf ball. Golf Practice Planner.

Overview
The Rotational Golf Swing Feel Drill will teach you how to rotate like the pros. It will not only make the game easier but also make it pain-free.

Steps

Step 1: Watch
Watch the video below.

Step 2: Rotational Versus Steep Swing
A steep swing would have you stand over the ball, keep your head still on the backswing, go down with your lead shoulder on the backswing, and then go down with the other shoulder on the through-swing. It’s an “up and down” swing motion.

A rotational swing, however, would have you stand tall, move your head, create a coil on the backswing with your shoulders, and an uncoil on the through-swing with your legs. It’s the swing used by Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson. It’s a powerful swing, but also a stress-free swing that doesn’t cause any back pain.

You can safely use the rotational swing in your 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. The steep swing, however, will almost certainly eventually lead to a compressed back. You can get away with a steep swing until your 30s or 40s, but if you want to keep the pain away when you get older, go for a more rotational swing.

Step 3: Stand Vertical Rotational Drill
Stand up nice and tall with any club in your hand. Raise the club up in front of you (see image below).

Take the club back (see image below) and swing through allowing the head and weight to move from side to side. The swing will feel very “rotational” when doing this. Keep lowering the club while doing the drill. If you start feeling steep, go back and start from the beginning (see image above).

Step 4: 50 Yard Shots
After spending time doing the Stand Vertical Rotational Drill, start out only hitting “50-yard shots” while focusing on the standing tall rotational move. You could say this mantra as you’re hitting a shot:

“Stand tall and rotate”.

Once you’re comfortable with the 50-yard shots, increase the distance. Keep increasing the distances until you hit full, normal shots.