QUESTION

Having studied the swing extensively, including the Model Golf system I am having a difficult time avoiding the "thin shot". While easier said than done, staying down through the shot can be difficult. I think "Swing Like a Pro" is one of the best golf instructional booksever written, however there is little comment on "spine angle" and it's importance in the golf swing. Can you offer any help or tips that will prevent me from losing spine angle during the downswing?
Bill, PA

FRED'S GOLF TIP

Maintaining the spine angle is a very important aspect of the golf swing and will allow you to make solid contact with the ball along with controlling the path of the swing.

As it relates to your question, I will define spine angle as you look at the golfers' swing from behind (viewed from down the target line) is the amount the upper body is bent over or standing upright. 

At address the elite player will bend from the waist approximately 35-degrees as he places the club behind the ball. This angle will change less than 5-degrees for the elite player from set-up to impact.  The ability to transfer the weight and rotate the hips and shoulders while maintaining this spine stability is key to a successful golf swing.

Obviously, there are many reasons why golfers’ have difficulty maintaining their spine angle during their golf swing and in order to keep my answer somewhat brief I will discuss the most common problem we see on a daily basis.

The lower body holds the key.  If the lower body works properly during the swing typically the upper body will be more stable.  The common problems on the backswing that cause a player to lose spine angle are: straightening the right leg, moving out on your toes, straightening the upper body by trying to lift the club to the top of the swing.  As you can imagine, what goes up must come back down.  To time this type up and down maneuver is not something that I would recommend.

Other common problems on the downswing that cause golfers' to lose spine angle are:  forcing your hips to move toward the ball as this moves the lower body closer to the ball, trying to swing or steer the golf club down the target line through and after impact.

Try this drill to improve your lower body movement and you should notice your spine angle staying more stable.

Backswing Drill:
Take your set up and place a shaft in the ground two inches to the right and two inches back of your right heel. As you swing try to feel your right hip touch the shaft while maintaining a slight flex in your right leg. This will help your upper body to stay in the posture established at address.

Downswing drill:
Take your set up and place a shaft in the ground five inches in back and five inches to the left of your left heel. Make several swings trying to touch the shaft with your left hip as you make impact. This clearing-out of the left side will help keep the upper body, or spine angle, more stable through the downswing. 

Thank you for your confidence in "Swing Like a Pro" and I hope that your game continues to improve as a result of studying the book and practicing the drills and exercises.
Fred Griffin, Director of Grand Cypress Academy of Golf

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