How's Your Rotation ...??? (Try This Test)
WARNING: We are going to get a little technical today (but very helpful at the same time ...)
If you don't want to check and improve your back-swing rotation / separation / coil for more POWER and better BALL-STRIKING then stop now and hit DELETE ...
Still with me? Great ...
Every Golf Magazine out there will tell you this at some time or other ...
That the modern way to generate power is to rotate your torso more than your hips in the back-swing.
The old 'X-Factor' article that gets churned out time and again ...
The general rule: you need to get more torso / shoulder rotation than you get hip rotation.
In other words, you need to SEPARATE your torso / shoulders from your hips ...
BUT... what if that's not physically possible for you at the moment ...?????
And how would you know whether it is or not...?????
(See the LINK below for how to get your Free TPI Screening)
Enter The Torso Rotation Test ...
This quick screen checks a player’s ability to rotate the upper body (torso / shoulders) independently from the lower body (hips / legs) ...
'Separation' if you will ...
ESSENTIAL for generating a good separation / coil.
Just try this test for yourself in the bathroom mirror:
How to Perform The Torso Rotation Test:
1. Begin by getting into a normal five iron golf set-up with your arms across your chest (hands resting on shoulders), feet should be approximately shoulder width apart.
2. Next, trying to not move your lower body (waist down), try to rotate your upper body (shoulders and torso) back and forth.
3. Look for any movement of the hips or extension (back bending) and side bend of the thoracic spine versus rotation.
4. Continue testing in both directions being sure to monitor the coordination of motion of the torso both in the right and left directions, because that coordination is important in determining golf swing issues.
5. A proper Torso Rotation Test will yield no motion below the waistline with only the torso and shoulders rotating.
The Torso Rotation Test - (click to watch a video demo) ...
So, what if you failed ...?
Couldn't separate the two ...
What could possibly be going wrong ...?
"...This movement requires good mobility of the thoracic spine, and simultaneous stability of the lower body..."
Try getting your partner or a friend to firmly hold onto your hips as you try the test again ...
Better ...? You probably have a stability problem and you need to use exercises that train rotation of your upper body with stability of your lower body ...
No Change ...? More than likely mobility is your issue ...
This could be:
- neck (cervical) mobility
- upper back (thoracic) mobility
- poor C-like address posture
- or restrictions in the muscles around your spine that are reducing your ability to separate
The fix: focus on exercises that develop the rotational flexibility / mobility of your torso ...
Why are you doing all this again ...?
Because a properly sequenced back-swing, with adequate coil & separation must be a CRITICAL goal in your Golf Improvement Plan.
And it could well be your BODY that is holding you back from achieving:
- More POWER, to hit the ball further
- Good back-swing sequencing and good separation leading to a solid coil and CONSISTENT ball-striking.
So there you have it.
The Torso Rotation Test and how it relates to the back-swing sequence ...
Just one of the 16 key elements of the TPI Golf Fitness Screen.
Want an individualised TPI Screen? Head here:
Click here to request a complimentary Golf Fitness Consultation with Andrew. (In-person or via Skype. You choose.)
Cheers
Andrew "Technician for a Day" Ransom, The Golf Fitness PT