I need help keeping my shoulders square during the downswing!

[Jcp907]

In the past, I have had a terrible slice from coming over the top. I had a habit of opening my shoulders to play a pull slice, instead of fixing the issue. I have a former instructor to thank for this nasty habit. Now that I am learning to swing with fewer compensations, I am still having an issue with my right shoulder coming around, causing a pull.

I currently do a drill where I take my backswing, and pump my arms down and towards the ball. This helps with the timing for my arms and hips, but when I go from the drill to hitting balls, my right shoulder wants to come around so that my shoulders are then open at impact. Even if I only swing slowly. I do get it right, occassionally, but I get it wrong often enough that it's terribly frustrating.

I also do a drill with an impact bag, and that right shoulder still wants to come around...

Any help is appreciated!

[grantc79]

Whats your hips and legs doing?

If the hips dont slide and clear then shoulder literally cannot come down plane.

Hows your swing plane going back? If you are really far inside then you are likely adjusting upwards as well.

[Jcp907]

Grant,

My hips fire forward and around when my hands are about hip high on the downswing. I am working in the MEGSA equipment at Timicuan which is essentially a swing jig. The jig keeps me on plane in the backswing. I used to start down with my shoulders. Now, I am trying to clear my hands of my right hip, then fire the hips, square the shoulders at impact, and then worry about follow through. My right shoulder is coming on a path nearly parallel to the ground as well.

I know video would probably help, I just don't have a camera yet. Finances haven't allowed it yet. Looking for a used Zi6.

[Zeph]

A video would help. Have you payed any attention to your swing plane and take-away?

[Jcp907]

A video would help. Have you payed any attention to your swing plane and take-away?

Zeph,

Yes, a great deal, with my instructor. This right shoulder is opening with the initiation of my downswing. My instructor is telling me that I need to keep my back towards the target until my hands clear my right hip. At impact we want the shoulders square at impact, or parallel to the toe line, with the hips open. My issue is that my shoulders are open here as well. It all started as a compensation for my old slice. It's a habit that is a pain to break. I will work on getting a video camera. I found a Zi6 on Craigslist for 45.00 but the seller hasn't replied yet. Finances are tight with 3 teenage boys.

[ks8829]

Try lowering your rear shoulder and this will help you stay behind the ball and may help you from comming over the top. It may help you stay on the line of your backswing instead of deviating from that path from the outside. Another thing that may help you is to take a slow backswing with a light grip, the reason is the slow backswing will ensure that you finish your backswing and help make a smooth transition to the downswing. Many times you are pulling from the top of your golf swing instead of letting the transition happen smoothly causing you to pull and come over the top.

In summary try a slightly different set up and focus on a smooth transition on the backswing to the downswing to help you keep the plane or path of your downswing. The start of your downswing is started with your hips uncoiling and your upper body follows. When you do this the power from your arms and shoulder begin around hip high and not from the top of your golf swing. If you pull from the top of the golf swing its causes you to come across and your right shoulder is out of sync.

[Jcp907]

If you pull from the top of the golf swing its causes you to come across and your right shoulder is out of sync.

Thank you for pointing this out, this is certainly something that I am guilty of. I was bowing my left wrist on takeaway, opening the clubface at the top, and my shoulder was squaring the clubface at impact, instead of relying upon my proper release to do so. My wrist has been cupped a bit at impact.

One drill that I am working on daily is to take it to the top, then I pump my arms down to my right hip, leaving my back square to the target, then back up to to the top. On the third pump down, I follow through to impact into a bag, at half speed, attempting to contact the bag with the to of the club. On that third one down, that right shoulder wants to overtake the hips. I am also trying a left hand only drill, and I am able to be more succesful with this drill. Even as a pitcher in College, my right shoulder tended to want to cross my body. I never overcame it, and ended up with injuries. Any drills for proper sequencing would be appreciated!

[colin007]

just a thought, but try taking a few swings with a glove in your left armpit and one in your right armpit. the one in the right armpit will force you to keep your right bicep in contact with the torso and will help you to come from the inside.