Shoulder Tilt

[fixyurdivot]

What's your number?  Count me among the hordes who continually battle the OTT tendency.  I'm always thinking about it when setting for for a shot.  Divot pattern on the range or on the course is an indicator I use to see how well I returned the clubface to square... and, of course, it most often results in great ball flight.  A good shoulder tilt is also part of my set-up though I'm not sure just how consistent I am at a value or whether I lose part of it on the downswing. 

This is an interesting article from Golf Tec in which they've studied shoulder tilt vs. handicap.  I'm going to discuss this with my instructor as I have a couple lessons left on the package I bought last summer.  Not sure if they have the equipment to measure, but I'd like to know what my shoulder tilt is.  Have any of you had that analyzed as part of lessons?  I'm guessing I think I have lots of shoulder tilt but do not.

 

[Kenny B]

No, I haven’t had it analyzed and Monte never mentioned it in the clinics I’ve been to.  The key for me is a proper takeway, rotation to the top while shifting pressure to the left; starting the downswing by dropping the arms and keeping my back to the target for as long as possible before rotating.  Sounds complicated, but once I get the rhythm it flows pretty well.

I did see an interesting article (can’t remember where) about shoulder tilt at impact.  Pros (they showed Rory, Scottie with a 35º tilt) and amateurs with a 22º tilt.  At the time I tried to get close to 35º and my conclusion was that (a) they are pros and I’m not; and (b) I’m more than twice their age!!!   Even though Jack, Trevino, and Player were pros, I don’t think they get to 35º now either!  

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

What's your number? 

I don’t know and probably don’t care.   I get that GolfTec is big into numbers to illustrate the point which is great, but is knowing my actual number important?  
 

I just try to keep my shoulders perpendicular to my spine angle through the swing.  Driver will be a little flatter, wedge a little steeper.  Like @Kenny Bsaid, on the downswing just try to keep back pointing at the target to prevent the shoulders from leading the downswing.

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, Kenny B said:

No, I haven’t had it analyzed and Monte never mentioned it in the clinics I’ve been to.  The key for me is a proper takeway, rotation to the top while shifting pressure to the left; starting the downswing by dropping the arms and keeping my back to the target for as long as possible before rotating.  Sounds complicated, but once I get the rhythm it flows pretty well.

I did see an interesting article (can’t remember where) about shoulder tilt at impact.  Pros (they showed Rory, Scottie with a 35º tilt) and amateurs with a 22º tilt.  At the time I tried to get close to 35º and my conclusion was that (a) they are pros and I’m not; and (b) I’m more than twice their age!!!   Even though Jack, Trevino, and Player were pros, I don’t think they get to 35º now either!  

 

35 minutes ago, cnosil said:

I don’t know and probably don’t care.   I get that GolfTec is big into numbers to illustrate the point which is great, but is knowing my actual number important?  
 

I just try to keep my shoulders perpendicular to my spine angle through the swing.  Driver will be a little flatter, wedge a little steeper.  Like @Kenny Bsaid, on the downswing just try to keep back pointing at the target to prevent the shoulders from leading the downswing.

Good points.  I guess I'd just be curious to see how far off what they state as optimum I am, as that would provide some "gap" that I can work towards.  It's kind of like my thinking I'm slow on the transition ... right Kenny?   It gets back that "feel vs. real" thingy. 

[cnosil]

29 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

 

Good points.  I guess I'd just be curious to see how far off what they state as optimum I am, as that would provide some "gap" that I can work towards.  It's kind of like my thinking I'm slow on the transition ... right Kenny?   It gets back that "feel vs. real" thingy. 

They don’t talk “optimum”; they talk average.   As you are aware, some people are above and some people are below.  

[RickyBobby_PR]

22 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

 

Good points.  I guess I'd just be curious to see how far off what they state as optimum I am, as that would provide some "gap" that I can work towards.  It's kind of like my thinking I'm slow on the transition ... right Kenny?   It gets back that "feel vs. real" thingy. 

There’s no optimum. But if you wanted some numbers at address driver is about 10° of tilt, 7i is 2-3°.

Shoulder tilt in the backswing work vary based on each persons body and swing matchups. 35-40° of upper body lean. Then turn around the spine and you will get your shoulder tilt. The problem is most golfers don’t turn around their spine for multiple reasons. 

[Hook DeLoft]

This is one reason Stack and Tilt can help some golfers (but certainly not all).