Thin Shot Golf Drill: Check Your Spine Angle in the Mirror

It’s easy to rotate your body side to side when standing upright. However, doing it while bent over – as golf requires – gives some people trouble.

If you have a tendency to raise up during the swing, you likely hit a lot of thin shots and the occasional top. It’s crucial that you learn to maintain the same spine angle from address right into your follow-through.

You’ll need a full-length mirror, reflective window or similar surface for this drill:

Without a club, stand with the mirror in the direction of the imaginary target – to your left for a right-handed golfer.

Cross your arms so that your hands touch the front of your shoulders.

Assume your normal golf posture, bending forward from the waist.

Turn as though making a backswing, keeping hands on shoulders.

Turn through as though hitting the ball.

As you come through, check your position in the mirror. Your spine should be tilted forward at the same angle you held at address.

It’s OK to stand up in the final part of the swing.

Do this several times as you focus on keeping the same spine angle from address until after impact. Then try it with your arms extended as though holding a club, still with the goal of a consistent spine angle.