Sean O'Hair - Big Shoulder Turn

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Congrats to Sean O'hair for making a great comeback in professional golf. Sean worked his way to the top of the leader board, and came up just short in a 3-way playoff. In this tour video, I'll show you a perfect way to put more rotation in your backswing. I'll also show you some of the common mistakes that could be making it impossible for you to get a full shoulder turn. You will see how how keeping your trail arm straight could be the perfect solution to getting you into a much more powerful backswing position. Let's build up some real power in your golf swing now!

  • Keep both arms straight and relaxed into the takeaway, with 45 degrees of shoulder turn. 
  • If you struggle with not making a full turn at the top of the swing, try keeping your trail arm straight, longer into your backswing. 

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charles
When I make a full turn it feels so awkward and I feel out of control. Any drill suggestions to get comfortable at the top?
June 13, 2024
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Charles. Use a little momentum. Take a look at Winter Golf Training Program Backswing Video.
June 13, 2024
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Richard
Chris, I feel a stretch, A pull, In my. Wrist and. Forearm in my change of direction, since face feel shut at top, I'm hitting pulls, should I not feel anything in this area if doing the downswing correctly. I certainly see more speed and the spring is back on the down swing adapting R S T
August 2, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Richard. The arms and shoulders should feel pretty relaxed or tension free at the start. You might be yanking the lead arm down. Work on the bigger body movements and soften the lead arm (Step 3 RST 5 Step System).
August 3, 2016
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Richard
Hi, I noticed Sean. Club pointing upright at the end of back swing, whereas rst. is a flatter Opposite bend in the wrist, What do you think?
July 30, 2016
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Richard. Yes, under Foley and Leadbetter's tutelage O'Hair's backswing plane would get very steep or vertical quickly. Ideally, for more of an RST model the wrist and club wouldn't set so vertically that early on. More of a blend of gradual wrist set and forearm rotation to be parallel with the swing plane.
August 1, 2016
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Loran
On the takeaway, the main movement and momentum is the right side, while the left remains passive, just along for the ride? But on the downswing, the left side is more dominant?
December 24, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. Yes. Right side back and left side down.
December 26, 2015
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Loran
For a huge shoulder turn...I must turn to the point where my left shoulder ball socket and left arm protraction pass under my chin completely, correct? How should this feel? I don't want left side dominant on the takeaway...
December 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. It will feel more as a stretch from the lead shoulder socket and arm. Not added push, but the blade and joints stretching. (Like reaching for something on the top shelf_
December 27, 2015
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James
Hi. What about rotation at follow through. Does it not matter as there is little (if any) material on shoulder positions at finish? Sean's trail shoulder is nearly pointing at the target at finish position which looks at the exact mirror image of his shoulder turn at the top of the back swing?
November 29, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. After impact and full release to the 3 O' Clock position. Most of the energy should be expended and the finish is just the deceleration of momentum. As long as you allow yourself to come around and stay nice and stacked on the lead leg. No need to focus on making a massive rotation to try and point the trail shoulder to a certain position.
November 30, 2015
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Remington
Hi! Can you please explain exactly what rotates once the takeaway position is reached. Shoulders, torso, core? In other words precisely which muscles take the arms and hands to the top. Thanks
November 26, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Remington. From the takeaway to the top you will still pull the the trail lat to continue shoulder rotation. The rotation from the shoulders will help you start pulling from the trail oblique to rotate the torso and open the hips. You will use the lats and lower traps to help rotate and raise the arms. The flexion from the trail elbow will perform the bigger majority of the vertical motion to the top.
November 27, 2015
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Jim
Not sure what is up with the video but all I get is the voice ,not video. Any suggestions?
March 17, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jim. It is playing correctly on my end. Try refreshing your browser. Are you using Chrome and/or Firefox? If you are and it still doesn't play correctly. Please use the contact us link below and notify customer support.
March 17, 2015
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Paul
Yes. I like the way you showed it to us. Great tip and it works well. Thanks .
March 16, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Paul. Glad you liked.
March 16, 2015
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Lowell
Love how you guys take a player from last weeks game(s) and show us something they are doing that we can learn from...great swing thought & really helped, Cheers Guys!!
March 16, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Appreciate the post Lowell. Always something to learn from the best players!
March 16, 2015
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William
Fantastic to see Sean back to where he belongs - this is one crazy game! I find that when I am doing a slightly elongated 9-to-3 drill with a little bit of wrist cock and really focussing on keeping the right arm straight for as long as possible on the takeaway/backswing I can really hit some beauties with plenty compression. Unfortunately when I go into full swing mode I tend to lose that ability - is this because I'm losing connection and the 'tightened' sensation of a shorter, but more powerful move? Cheers! William
March 16, 2015
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Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello William. Without seeing your swing, I could be guessing at a few different culprits. However, when you go from the 9 to 3 you more than likely start getting very arms dominant. This inhibits the big muscle usage to the top and also will throw out of sync the weight shift and connection to the core coming down. In the 9 to 3 you use the big muscles, get a good shift and the arms can add core rotational speed and good compression. Full swing, things start to become disoriented. My advice would be upload your 9 to 3 and full swing to one of our instructors for review. Side by side comparisons of the differences and similarities to get you striking it well with both.
March 16, 2015
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JOE
ME TOO,,
March 16, 2015

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