TORSO TWISTS
FOCUSES ON : Rotation . Albaugh says most well-meaning ( but bad ) golf advice comes from players avoiding a functional turn of the body .
WHY IT WORKS : As the “ engine ” of the swing , this drill promotes both turn and tempo . You ’ ll also find that torso twists provide one of the best “ back-crack symphonies .”
1 . Stand tall , with your elbows bent at a 90-degree angle and connected to your ribs . 2 . Rotate your body to the left , then to the right . 3 . Make the motion larger with each twist .
ILLUSTRATIONS BY MELANIE SCHUMACHER
RIB CRACKERS
FOCUSES ON : Putting you in position for a strong , fully rotated finish .
WHY IT WORKS : This exercise is best performed with an alignment stick . Although rib crackers may sound painful , they ’ re not . What they do is help promote a complete turn through the finish of each swing .
1 . Hold an alignment rod at its center , with half of it laying against your left ribs . 2 . Using your ribs and torso , turn halfway into your backswing before pausing . 3 . Turn through your finish without whacking yourself in the ribs with the alignment stick .
Leighann Albaugh is the Director of Instruction at Magnolia Green Golf Club in Moseley . She has been named Golf Digest ’ s Best Young Teacher in America and Best In State Instructor .
vsga . org J ULY / A UGUST 2021 | V IRGINIA G OLFER 37