A successful golf swing relies on the correct body position throughout, particularly when it comes to spine angle. An improper spine angle often leads to a reverse pivot, which makes it virtually impossible to transfer weight to the lead foot during the downswing. The flaw also can lead to errant shots and a quick loss of confidence. By learning the basics of proper body position, you can avoid the reverse pivot.
How it Happens
One of the central causes of the reverse pivot is the hip slide that can occur during the backswing. While the upper body and arms should rotate as part of the takeaway, the hips need to remain in place. When they do slide back in the swing, the head will move toward the target, causing the spine to tilt forward, according to Golf Today. As a result of this body position, the weight is prematurely placed on the left leg, making weight transfer during the downswing impossible.
Effect on Shots
According to "Golf" magazine, a reverse pivot will lead to poor contact in a variety of ways. You are just as likely to hit the ball fat -- hitting behind the ball -- as you are to hit it thin, catching the ball low on the clubface. Many of the problems come from your weight being on the left side before the downswing. When that happens, the action of the downswing tends to cause the body to move backward at contact.
The Correct Spine Angle
Golf Today says the proper spine angle must be maintained throughout the backswing and into the downswing. This means that the spine should be angled away from the target, with the head fixed behind the ball. While it's easy to take this position at setup, the action of the takeaway causes some players to lose the spine angle. Consequently, the average golfer should concentrate on the backswing for solutions.
Correcting the Problem
Focus on initiating your backswing with the shoulders and stomach, according to Golf Today. This will place emphasis on the parts of the body that should move during the takeaway. If you concentrate on keeping your hips stationary in the first part of the backswing, it may feel odd at first, given the resistance, but it will assure that you maintain proper spine angle and keep your weight on the right side until it's time to transfer that weight forward.
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