Shoulder Alignment Is Highly Underrated (PSA)

[mdvaldosta]

I've been back playing golf for about 6 months, have playing for around 3 years total on and off. I've always fought a fade in the longer clubs, some days it's straight other days a 30 yard slice off the tee. Kills distance and confidence.

At any rate, I've finally made a concious effort to really make sure my shoulders were in line with me feet. On my poor shots, I'd come across the ball at a 10-20* angle. Now I'm hitting inside out consistantly and when I do come across it I know it's a shoulder alignment issue. This has only been since Friday - but it's totally changed my game. I'm longer, straighter, and excited that this may help me reach my goal of scratch or better golf.

All I'm saying is, everybody I know puts so much emphasis on feet alignment. I've finally learned that 90% of it is actually shoulder alignment. My ball flight has never been better, ever, and it's exciting.

That is all. You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

[jambalaya]

Agreed. If I don't think about it I mostly leave my shoulders open.

[DavidFehertysBike]

Well your feet arent really a good determiner for alignment, so youre right there. Sqauring your shoulders and hips to the target is essential for good ball striking. How you set up is probably more important than how you swing, IMO.

[Zeph]

Is there a way to check the shoulder alignment without anyone standing behind you?

[kafka01]

Is there a way to check the shoulder alignment without anyone standing behind you?

Yeah my shoulder alignment sucks sometimes too - for me its always closed that produces problems. My pro told me, that if i look at my left shoulder why setting up for the ball you have to see a specific part of your shoulder. If you see the whole its too closed, if you see none or too little, its open.

But still, its hard for me to open the shoulders up - havent found a good solution for it yet.

[mdvaldosta]

Is there a way to check the shoulder alignment without anyone standing behind you?

For me, it's when I have to turn my head towards the target and looking over my shoulder at it provides a bit of resistance in my neck. I can almost "see" my shoulders pointing towards the target.

I want to say that it's also important to set your ball position AFTER your shoulders are aligned. Because, if you setup to the ball then move your hips/shoulders into alignment (if you're normally too open) then the ball will move way foward in your stance. So, I basically do this now: 1. Step up to ball and set clubface towards target (use a position a few inches in front of the ball spotted in line with target). 2. Align feet parallel to clubface. 3. Set shoulders parallel to feet (target visible over front shoulder). 4. Make sure ball is in correct position. I used to do #4 right after #1 and it always made being "square" uncomfortable. It's not anymore. Eventually I'm sure I'll be able to go back to that order once I get used to what being truley square feels like (2&3 going together).