The Drill for a Powerful, Connected Rotation

Create more shoulder turn without swaying off the ball

We've talked about how "swaying" and "sliding" are power killers. A great golf swing is rotational. Power comes from coiling and uncoiling your body around a stable axis. But how do you feel that?

Most golfers who sway or slide don't even know they're doing it. They need clear, undeniable feedback. This drill uses a third hinge on your SwingMate to create a physical checkpoint for your lower body, teaching you the feeling of a proper turn. It's based on the "Rotation Drill" from your SwingMate manual.

Need more reps? Learn: Steep vs. Shallow: Finding the Right Angle of Attack for Every Club.

What's the real goal of this drill?

To replace a lateral sway or slide with a powerful body rotation, keeping you centered over the ball for more consistent strikes.

How should you set up before starting this drill?

You can add this drill on top of the "Slice Killer" setup if you have a third hinge, or set it up on its own.

1. Place the Base: As always, place the base on your trail side.
2. Attach the Hinge: Add a hinge to the rearmost position (Hinge 3) on the base plate.
3. Set the Angles: Set the Base Angle to 75° and the Rod Angle to 30°. These are the recommended starting points.
4. Insert the Rod: Use the 1.2m foldable alignment rod. You want to position it so it sits just in front of your lead knee at address.

How do you run this drill from start to finish?

This drill provides two key checkpoints in your swing.

1. The Backswing Checkpoint (Loading): As you make your backswing, your goal is to rotate your hips so that your lead knee moves towards the rod and gently touches it. If you sway off the ball, your knee will never reach the rod. This move confirms you are rotating around your trail leg and loading correctly.
2. The Follow-Through Checkpoint (Uncoiling): As you swing through to your finish, your goal is to rotate your hips so that your trail knee moves forward and touches the rod. If you slide your hips toward the target, your trail knee will crash into the rod too early and from the side. A proper rotation will bring it around to touch the rod at the finish.

Start slowly and get a feel for these two checkpoints. This drill forces your lower body to work correctly. It replaces the inefficient side-to-side movement with the powerful, athletic rotation that all great ball strikers have.

What are the quick questions golfers keep asking?

Q: What's the point of the resistance band when you're chasing more turn?
A: It keeps the trail hip loaded while the upper body keeps winding. You feel the separation rather than telling yourself to “turn more.”

Q: How do you know you're rotating enough without swaying off the ball?
A: Film the swing and watch your trail knee. If it stays inside the instep while the shoulders keep turning under the chin, you're rotating instead of drifting.