Why a Good Turn is Necessary for Your Golf Game

Understanding the pivotal role of a good turn in your golf game is indispensable. The turning movement around your spine during both the backswing and the downswing not only serves as the cornerstone for a potent and effective golf swing but also ensures that you achieve long and straight golf shots consistently. 

The importance of a good turn cannot be overstated as it ensures that your club swings along the correct inside path, a crucial element for seasoned and aspiring golfers alike who often find themselves grappling with making an accurate shoulder turn.

In the realm of golf, width holds a position of paramount importance. The golfer starts at the address with a straight left arm, a crucial posture that must be maintained throughout the backswing to guarantee consistent ball striking.

This straight arm, aiding in the creation of a wide arc, is not merely a stylistic choice but a strategic one. It allows for the accumulation of maximum potential energy and leverage, providing the necessary width for the club head to squarely face the target at the impact moment, thus ensuring a successful shot.

However, the absence of a good turn spells trouble. Without it, reaching the top of the backswing becomes a daunting task, often leading to a compromised left arm position that inevitably bends. This bending of the left arm results in a loss of the essential width, leaving the hands as the sole agent in hitting the ball, which is far from ideal. 

Moreover, a good turn is necessary for approaching the ball with an inside swing path. A compromised turn obstructs this path, leading to issues like a bent left arm, and the club deviating from its path, rising steeply and outside the line. These mistakes can be detrimental to your golf game, emphasizing the indispensability of a good turn.

Exercise to Perfect Your Golf Shoulder Turn

Embarking on the journey to perfect your golf shoulder turn, you’ll need to engage in exercises that specifically target and strengthen your core and shoulder muscles, enhancing your ability to execute accurate and powerful turns. 

A recommended exercise involves the use of an exercise band, readily available at sports shops.

Initially, you’ll need a seven-iron for this exercise. Position yourself in your garden or any open space and assume your golf stance. Hold one end of the exercise band under the grip of the seven-iron while placing the other end beneath your right foot. 

Commence with the backswing. During this movement, the exercise band’s slack decreases, gradually stretching and building tension. This increasing tension necessitates a shoulder turn as the arms in isolation lack the strength to continue stretching the band. This dynamic creates an efficient and direct backswing along the correct inside path.

As you progressively practice, it’s crucial to integrate variations into the exercise. Practice the downswing and follow through initially without the club. Experiment by placing the exercise band under both the left and right foot, modifying the tension. 

Identify and adopt the variation that feels most comfortable and conducive to your swing. While it’s essential to practice, avoid overexerting yourself during the initial stages. 

Consistent and thoughtful practice over time will fortify the vital muscles required for an impeccable golf shoulder turn, eventually leading to a swing that is not only efficient but also effortlessly powerful, delivering golf shots that are straighter and travel farther with precision.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of the golf turn is not a luxury but a necessity for anyone serious about improving their game. With the insights and exercise provided, you are now equipped to understand and appreciate the value of a good turn and diligently work towards incorporating it into your golf repertoire. 

With practice and commitment, watch as your golf game transforms, embodying power, precision, and consistency, the hallmarks of a skilled and confident golfer.