
Episode #708
#708 Stop Trying to "Turn Harder": 6 Surprising Truths About the Golf Shoulder Turn
Many golfers chase more distance by forcing a bigger shoulder turn. But more rotation is not always better. In biomechanics, the key is not simply “shoulder turn” but thorax rotation and sequence: TURN → TRANSITION → OPEN → ROTATE THROUGH. Your shoulders do not need to be perfectly parallel to the target line. Because the trail hand sits lower on the grip, the thorax naturally starts slightly open. PGA Tour: 11° open LPGA Tour: 10° open Do not force a square position. Start from a natural setup that allows free rotation. Many golfers make an arm-dominated backswing. Instead, let the thorax organize the movement. Your chest should help transport the arms and club away from the target. Coach’s Cue: Feel your sternum moving the club, not just your hands. Use WatchIt Golf to review whether your arms are outracing your chest rotation. PGA Tour backswing: 92° LPGA Tour: 103° These are reference values, not targets. Functional rotation is more important than maximum rotation. If your mobility allows only 80°, forcing more can damage posture, balance and consistency. Elite players do not simply finish the backswing, stop, and then start down. The thorax can begin changing direction while the arms and club are still completing the backswing. This creates a stretch-shortening effect between body segments. Coach’s Cue: Don’t stop at the top. Let the change of direction emerge from sequence and timing. Trying to return the shoulders to square at impact can slow the rotation. PGA Tour at impact: 29° open LPGA Tour: 32° open The body should already be opening toward the target, allowing energy to continue into the clubhead. The ball is not the finish line. Rotation continues well beyond impact. PGA Tour finish: 154° open LPGA Tour: 160° open I don’t swing to the ball — I swing through the ball. Stop chasing isolated positions. Build a continuous sequence: UNDERSTAND → FEEL → REHEARSE → PRACTICE → MEASURE → ADJUST → INTEGRATE. Your goal is not to turn as far or as hard as possible. Create enough backswing rotation, change direction at the correct time, open through impact, and continue to a balanced finish. Stop forcing the turn. Start mastering the sequence. 1. You Aren’t Square at Setup2. Let Your Chest Carry Your Arms3. Forget the 90-Degree Myth4. Master the Transition5. Impact Is Already Open6. Swing Through the BallFrom Position to Flow My Blog The Explainer www.ecoach360.com






