Golf: The Wedge Drill Prevents Over-Rotation of the Hips
Much of the power generated in the golf swing comes from “rotary tension” developed as the shoulders and hips rotate.
Rotary tension is produced when the muscles in the shoulders and torso stretch—much like rubber bands—as the shoulders and hips rotate on the backswing. The tension produced by this stretching translates into extra power on the downswing.
Footwork and Hip Rotation
On the backswing, both the shoulders and hips rotate backwards. Tension is produced because the hips don't turn as much as the shoulders. To optimize power, you want the shoulders to take a full 90-degree turn, but the hips to rotate only about 40 degrees.
Footwork is the key to developing the correct amount of shoulder and hip rotation. During the backswing, your students can prevent over-rotation of the hips by keeping the front foot flat on the ground and the weight on the inside edge of the back foot. This anchors the back leg so it can't over-rotate.
Place Golf Balls Beneath the Outside of the Back Foot
Your students can practice this footwork with the Wedge Drill. Have them place some balls beneath the outside of their back foot as they swing.
This will force them to keep their weight on the inside edge of their back foot. At the same time, instruct them to take a small hip turn, as large a shoulder turn as possible and to keep their front foot flat on the ground.
After they have a feeling for the correct footwork and swing, have them practice without the balls under their back foot.
References:
1. Editor's of Golf Magazine, “Golf: The Best Short Game Instruction Book Ever!” Time Home Entertainment Inc., 2009.
2. “Straight hitter: Rotary tension.” Golf Magazine, May 1992.
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