From time to time, we all have a tendency to shorten our backswings. Your muscles may not be as loose as normal, you may be faced with a crucial shot and get over cautious, or you may think that shortening your swing will give you more control. Whatever the reason, not making a full shoulder turn can have some negative effects.
Firstly, and most obviously, you’re going to lose distance. The less you wind up the body, the less power you can translate into fast clubhead speed.
More importantly, a full turn gives your body the time and space needed to complete the correct mechanics of the downswing. A truncated backswing means your lower body has to do too much work to get the club moving on the correct plane. The result is often an out-to-in swing path, which will result in a pull or a slice (or at best, a weak fade). A full shoulder turn, on the other hand, gives your hips time to gently rotate, which pulls the upper body round in the correct motion, which in turn brings the clubhead on a more powerful in-to-in (i.e. correct) path.
Next time you’re on the practice range, make sure you are making a full shoulder turn.
Great piece!
I agree with this article.
I find that if I really take the time to complete my backswing, I need no other swing thoughts. Once I complete my backswing, and I mean really complete my backswing, I can swing freely, in control, and away the ball goes, with a gentle fade. This has dropped my handicap by two strokes this year!
On the other hand, if I don’t complete my backswing, I feel I have to swing harder/faster to make up for my shortened arc, and often, as the article said, I slice it.
Cliff