The Podcast address, Shoulder turn, also known as chest turn or thorax turn, describes the rotation of the upper body in relation to the lower body during the golf swing. It is measured using advanced tools like the SportsBox AI 3D Golf App, which tracks shoulder movement across key swing phases: address, backswing, downswing, and finish.
At address, professional golfers typically have slightly open shoulders—approximately 11 degrees for men and 10 degrees for women—due to natural grip positioning. During the backswing, the shoulders rotate to a maximum, averaging 92 degrees for men and 103 degrees for women, with women generally exhibiting greater flexibility. At impact, the shoulders are approximately 29 degrees open for men and 32 degrees for women, helping align the clubface with the ball for optimal contact. By the finish, the shoulders rotate to their maximum openness, reflecting the full range of movement.
How Shoulder Turn Improves Impact:
A well-executed shoulder turn enhances the separation between the upper and lower body, known as the X-factor. This creates potential energy during the backswing, which is released as kinetic energy during the downswing. The result is greater clubhead speed and more powerful shots. However, excessive shoulder turn can lead to inconsistencies and injuries, particularly in the lower back.
Using tools like the SportsBox AI 3D Golf App, golfers can measure and optimize their shoulder turn. This ensures proper rotation without over-rotating, helping improve impact precision while minimizing the risk of injury.
Key Tips:
By mastering shoulder turn, golfers can generate more power and achieve consistent, accurate impact with the ball.