DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing
DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing

Here's the first step in building your perfect golf swing using the DEAD Drill. It's criti ...

DEAD Drill Step 2 - The Transition
DEAD Drill Step 2 - The Transition

The DEAD Drill transition is DEAD simple. One move to have a powerful and dynamic transiti ...

DEAD Drill Step 3 - The Post-Up
DEAD Drill Step 3 - The Post-Up

The Post Up move is where all the magic happens in the golf downswing. If you've never rel ...

Flip vs. Release in Golf
Flip vs. Release in Golf

What is the difference between a proper golf club release and a flip in the golf swing? To ...

How to Get Perfect Shaft Lean at Impact
How to Get Perfect Shaft Lean at Impact

You want to hit those boring, hissing shots that scream off the face like a rocket? This g ...

Golf Impact Position Face On
Golf Impact Position Face On

After all your hard work on the backswing, it's time for the big payoff! Getting into the ...

Golf Impact Position Down the Line
Golf Impact Position Down the Line

As I discussed in the video on Impact Alignments Face On, impact is everything in RST. All ...

Cure Chicken Wing in the Golf Swing
Cure Chicken Wing in the Golf Swing

You now have a 3-step drill to help you cure your chicken wing golf swing once and for all ...

Left Elbow Position at Impact
Left Elbow Position at Impact

Find out a simple trick to hit straighter shots while also virtually eliminating your chan ...

3 Steps to better impact position in golf
3 Steps to better impact position in golf

Golf is a sport that can leave you frustrated round after round, but WHY? What exactly are ...

Golf Impact - Part 2 of 7
Golf Impact - Part 2 of 7

In part 2 of this new 7 part video series, I'll discuss one of the most important parts th ...

Perfect your golf impact - 1 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 1 of 4

Compressing the golf ball like a tour pro can be very hard to do. In this new video series ...

Perfect your golf impact - 2 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 2 of 4

Effortless power in the golf swing is a difficult concept for many amateur golfers. In vid ...

Perfect your golf impact - 3 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 3 of 4

Learn how to add more speed to your golf swing by leveraging the ground like a tour pro.

Perfect your golf impact - 4 of 4
Perfect your golf impact - 4 of 4

Lag in the golf swing is key for clubhead speed. In this video, I'll show you how to add m ...

Perfecting your golf impact - Bonus
Perfecting your golf impact - Bonus

Perfecting your golf impact video series. Special bonus video that will help you correct s ...

Overview of the Push Release
Overview of the Push Release

An overview to the push release for those who want to use the right side to help power the ...

Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill
Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill

Fix your golf swing sway with this awesome and simple drill! Swaying off the ball in the b ...

Intro to Weight Shift in the Golf Swing
Intro to Weight Shift in the Golf Swing

Weight shift in the golf swing is the FIRST thing you must master before worrying about an ...

Weight Shift in the Golf Swing - Pt. 1
Weight Shift in the Golf Swing - Pt. 1

Using our Science and Motion (SAM) Balance Lab, we can pin point weight shift and weight d ...

Weight Shift Part 2 - Right Hip Line
Weight Shift Part 2 - Right Hip Line

In this second video on understanding weight shift in the golf swing, I discuss specifical ...

Weight Shift Part 3 - To the Left
Weight Shift Part 3 - To the Left

The culmination in the three part series on correct weight shift in the golf swing gets us ...

Step 1 - Weight Shift
Step 1 - Weight Shift

Step 1 of the RST 5 Step System - Mastering Weight Shift

Step 1 - Weight Shift - Drill Only
Step 1 - Weight Shift - Drill Only

Step 1 - Weight shift drills

Weight Shift Sweep Drills
Weight Shift Sweep Drills

The best golf swing drill for weight shift right before you play or when you're just on th ...

5 Minute Golf Setup w/ Weight Shift
5 Minute Golf Setup w/ Weight Shift

Once you've mastered the setup, you can add weight shift to your program to begin developi ...

Fixing Your Weight Transfer in the Golf Swing
Fixing Your Weight Transfer in the Golf Swing

In this video, I will show you 2 of the most common faults in downswing transition by not ...

Learn Perfect Weight Shift in Your Socks
Learn Perfect Weight Shift in Your Socks

Struggling with your weight shift? I'm going to show you how to diagnose your mistakes by ...

How Attack Angle Affects Compression
How Attack Angle Affects Compression

Ever notice how the PGA Tour pros take razor thin divots? That's exactly what you want. Th ...

Taking a Divot in Front of the Ball
Taking a Divot in Front of the Ball

Taking a proper divot is something that is critical to crisp and consistent iron play, but ...

Angle of Attack
Angle of Attack

Taking deep divots? Are you supposed to? What do the pros do? This video tells you how ste ...

Swing Faults When Your Stance is Too Wide
Swing Faults When Your Stance is Too Wide

One of the most common problems with the setup, here's what happens when your stance is to ...

Fix Your Release - Trail Shoulder Back
Fix Your Release - Trail Shoulder Back

This golf instruction video is for those who struggle to stop spinning their shoulders ope ...

Moving the Fulcrum & Hitting Shots off the Toe
Moving the Fulcrum & Hitting Shots off the Toe

It's one of my most important golf instruction videos ever, this will completely transform ...

How to Cure the Shanks in 3 Steps
How to Cure the Shanks in 3 Steps

The golf shank is the ugliest, nastiest, rottenest, and most frightening shot in golf. If ...

Getting Stuck on the Downswing
Getting Stuck on the Downswing

Tiger Woods used to always complain about getting "stuck" in the downswing; a position tha ...

Blocked Golf Shots | Fwd Shaft Lean
Blocked Golf Shots | Fwd Shaft Lean

If you want to compress the ball for explosive distance, then you need to be working on st ...

How to Fix the Two Way Miss in Golf
How to Fix the Two Way Miss in Golf

Struggle with the dreaded two-way miss in golf? One shot goes right and the next goes left ...

2 Finger Release Drill
2 Finger Release Drill

This awesome drill forces you to release the golf club like a tour pro! You're going to lo ...

Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing
Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing

You're well aware that slicing destroys your distance and your scorecard. What you may not ...

Stop Slicing and Start Releasing the Golf Club
Stop Slicing and Start Releasing the Golf Club

In this video, I’ll show you how to release your club to stop slicing and get better com ...

Square the Clubface Early
Square the Clubface Early

Learning how to properly square the club face at impact is something that most amateur gol ...

Hitting a Fade
Hitting a Fade

Learning how to hit a fade is all about learning to control the release of the golf club. ...

How to Stop Hooking the Golf Ball
How to Stop Hooking the Golf Ball

How to stop hooking the golf ball once and for all! If you struggle with hitting hook shot ...

Hitting a Draw
Hitting a Draw

Once you've mastered the RST swing method, you realize that, due to the simplicity of the ...

How to Hit the 3 Yard Draw
How to Hit the 3 Yard Draw

Learn how to hit the delicate little three yard draw and why you're struggling with gettin ...

Cure Reverse Pivot w/ the Necktie Drill
Cure Reverse Pivot w/ the Necktie Drill

Axis tilt is a necessary fundamental of the golf swing that many golfers ignore or fail to ...

How to Fix Golf Reverse Pivot
How to Fix Golf Reverse Pivot

A reverse pivot golf swing can cause a whole lot of bad shots, from hitting it thin to hit ...

Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill
Fix Your Swing Sway w/ the Wall Drill

Fix your golf swing sway with this awesome and simple drill! Swaying off the ball in the b ...

Fix Reverse Pivot - Trail Side Dominant Setup
Fix Reverse Pivot - Trail Side Dominant Setup

This golf setup check is critical to getting rid of a reverse pivot and over the top downs ...

5 Minutes to Master Rotation
5 Minutes to Master Rotation

This video holds the 5 step pathway to mastering rotation in the golf swing. At the end of ...

Keep the Right Arm Straight to Turn
Keep the Right Arm Straight to Turn

One of the most common faults that destroys a powerful turn in the golf swing is how the r ...

How to Fix a Flat Shoulder Turn
How to Fix a Flat Shoulder Turn

Fix a flat shoulder turn in your golf backswing with this simple and easy to do drill.

Simple Fix to Make a Full Shoulder Turn
Simple Fix to Make a Full Shoulder Turn

Struggle with making a full turn, even though your fit and flexible? Lacking the distance ...

Using the Core
Using the Core

Using a side by side face on view of Tiger Woods with a driver and a recent swing of mine ...

The Bucket Drill - Golf Shoulder Turn
The Bucket Drill - Golf Shoulder Turn

The Bucket Drill is one that provides a very simple and clear picture on how to rotate cor ...

Intro to Core Rotation in Golf Swing
Intro to Core Rotation in Golf Swing

The rotating core is the "engine" of the golf swing and the primary mover of the entire sw ...

Step 2 - Core Rotation
Step 2 - Core Rotation

Step 2- Adding body rotation

Step 2 - Core Rotation - Drill Only
Step 2 - Core Rotation - Drill Only

The drill only for Step 2 - Body Rotation

Clamshell Drill - How to Cure Early Extension
Clamshell Drill - How to Cure Early Extension

The Clamshell Drill is the key to the golf swing, no seriously! If you want to see how the ...

Eliminate Early Extension in Golf Swing
Eliminate Early Extension in Golf Swing

The REAL causes of early extension in the golf swing and the only TRUE way to fix it.

Closed Hip Slide
Closed Hip Slide

A closed hip slide is detrimental to your golf swing when learning how to shift your weigh ...

Live Lesson - How to Stop Losing Tush Line & Boost Consistency
Live Lesson - How to Stop Losing Tush Line & Boost Consistency

Struggling with a 2 way miss and lack of consistency? Watch this Live Lesson to learn a si ...

Losing the Tush Line
Losing the Tush Line

One of the most common questions I get regularly is how to stop losing the tush line, or s ...

Squat to Square in the Golf Downswing
Squat to Square in the Golf Downswing

If you watch golf on TV, it seems that you can't turn your hips fast enough or far enough ...

Squeeze the Cheeks for Consistency
Squeeze the Cheeks for Consistency

The glute muscles (your butt cheeks) are some of the most important muscles in the golf sw ...

Role of the Right Foot in Downswing
Role of the Right Foot in Downswing

Footwork is a bit of a misnomer in the golf swing but you hear it every week on TV. What i ...

Fix Your Over the Top Swing by Fixing Your Hand Path
Fix Your Over the Top Swing by Fixing Your Hand Path

Learn how to fix your over the top golf swing by simply being able to read a clock. If you ...

Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing
Stop Coming Over the Top in the Golf Swing and Slicing

You're well aware that slicing destroys your distance and your scorecard. What you may not ...

How to Shallow Your Golf Swing Fast and Easy - Live Lesson
How to Shallow Your Golf Swing Fast and Easy - Live Lesson

Do you struggle with shallowing the club in the downswing and keep hitting a pull cut or e ...

How to Shallow Your Hands During Transition
How to Shallow Your Hands During Transition

Do your hands go straight out toward the golf ball and don't shallow out during the transi ...

Over the Top Stick Drill
Over the Top Stick Drill

Are you tired of yelling “Fore!” when you hit big, nasty slices off the tee? If so, he ...

Drill to Learn Inside Path to Golf Ball
Drill to Learn Inside Path to Golf Ball

Tired of the over the top slice? This drill and training aid will teach you how to approac ...

How to Fix Your Over the Top Move - Live Lesson
How to Fix Your Over the Top Move - Live Lesson

Do you have a steep, over the top golf swing? No matter what you try and do, you can't sto ...

9 to 3 Lag Building Drills
9 to 3 Lag Building Drills

Learn how to build lag in your golf swing with these 9 to 3 lag building drills. You'll le ...

AXIOM Lag in the Golf Swing
AXIOM Lag in the Golf Swing

Producing incredible lag has never been this easy - or fast

Increase Lag - Impact Cube Drill
Increase Lag - Impact Cube Drill

This awesome drill will teach you to not cast the club and maintain lag into impact.

Speed vs. Power in the Golf Swing
Speed vs. Power in the Golf Swing

Speed vs. Power - Which is it that you want in the golf swing? Many golfers think they nee ...

Reshaping Your Golf Swing for Lag
Reshaping Your Golf Swing for Lag

It's no secret that you want more lag in your swing. In this incredible video, I give you ...

RST Student Success - Building More Lag
RST Student Success - Building More Lag

RST student uses a simple 3 step process to shallow his golf swing and build in a ton of l ...

Intro to Fix Losing Lag and Weak Release
Intro to Fix Losing Lag and Weak Release

Find out how to work through this section on how to cure your golf casting / loss of lag o ...

Sklz Gold Flex Lag Trainer
Sklz Gold Flex Lag Trainer

This KILLER training aid will help you master a smooth, one-piece takeaway and help you bu ...

Rickie Fowler - How to preserve Lag
Rickie Fowler - How to preserve Lag

Lag is the most efficient way to increase clubhead speed. In this video, RST Instructor Ch ...

Lag and Speed Drills
Lag and Speed Drills

To get more distance in golf, you've got to get maximum speed from your arms and not let y ...

Key to Creating Lag
Key to Creating Lag

The secret key to creating lag has been an elusive thing for most amateur golfers. In this ...

Downcock Pump Lag Drill
Downcock Pump Lag Drill

Every golfer wants to know how to create more lag in their swing to hit the ball further. ...

Golf Grip's Effect on Lag
Golf Grip's Effect on Lag

As you've no doubt seen, my golf students have been picking up some serious distance throu ...

Become a Golf Swing Lag Monster: Shocking Success Story
Become a Golf Swing Lag Monster: Shocking Success Story

In this video, I’ll show you how RST student David became a "lag monster" with RST swing ...

4 Step Golf Swing Lag Builder
4 Step Golf Swing Lag Builder

The 4 steps to building INSANE lag in your golf swing - and you can do it TODAY!

Golf Left Thumb: Fix Pain, Soreness, Casting
Golf Left Thumb: Fix Pain, Soreness, Casting

Casting the club in the downswing is a sure way to destroy club head speed. Check out this ...

Right Arm in Downswing: Stop Casting
Right Arm in Downswing: Stop Casting

In this video, you’ll find out: 1) How Tiger Woods builds lag for power, 2) What to feel ...

Sequencing the Downswing - Dump Truck and Drag Racer
Sequencing the Downswing - Dump Truck and Drag Racer

Sequencing the downswing is the HARDEST overall part of the golf swing - and also the MOST ...

The Post Up Move - How to Use Lead Leg for Power and Maintain Posture
The Post Up Move - How to Use Lead Leg for Power and Maintain Posture

Have you ever wondered how the pros use their legs for power in the golf swing? This video ...

My Golf Power Secret
My Golf Power Secret

How do the pros hit the ball so darn far? I tell all inside with this power secret!

Using your wrists for speed in golf swing - 5 of 7
Using your wrists for speed in golf swing - 5 of 7

Your body uses tension as its primary mechanism to sequence the golf swing. In general, th ...

Vertical Ground Force and Double Peaks
Vertical Ground Force and Double Peaks

Should you be trying to increase vertical ground force in your swing and if so, how should ...

Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball
Throw the Club Head at the Golf Ball

Unlock the leverage, speed and power of your golf swing by understanding the physics behin ...

Throw for More Natural Golf Swing
Throw for More Natural Golf Swing

Do you want a more natural golf swing with much more speed? Then you need to focus on how ...

Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing
Using the Wrists in the Golf Swing

The wrists play a very dynamic role in your golf swing. In this video, I'll cover the term ...

The Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill
The Tour Pro Downswing Sequence Drill

If you are looking for a golf swing drill that can INSTANTLY improve your ball striking po ...

Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 1
Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 1

This is THE key drill for really understanding how the downswing sequencing works. This 20 ...

Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 2
Trail Arm Release - Throw the Ball Drill Pt 2

Are you ready to maximize your club head speed at impact? If so, you need this missing pie ...

Tim Burke - Kinetic Chain
Tim Burke - Kinetic Chain

Tim Burke wins his 2nd World Long Drive Championship. In this video, I'll show you the key ...

Golf Takeaway | Overview
Golf Takeaway | Overview

An overview of the RST takeaway by RST Founder, Chuck Quinton. This video walks you throug ...

AXIOM Refine Your Takeaway
AXIOM Refine Your Takeaway

Simplify your takeaway with a simple 2" movement that moves the club 6 feet!

Learn a Perfect Golf Takeaway with Just a 2 Inch Movement!
Learn a Perfect Golf Takeaway with Just a 2 Inch Movement!

Learn how to pull in this video: Pushing vs Pulling in the Golf Swing Learn the simplest ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - 4 Square Drill
Fix Inside Takeaway - 4 Square Drill

You probably overuse your hands during the first half of the backswing, like most golfers, ...

Understanding Shoulder Blade Glide
Understanding Shoulder Blade Glide

If you have questions about exactly what the shoulder blade glide is or what it should fee ...

Golf Takeaway, 5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Takeaway
Golf Takeaway, 5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Takeaway

This 30 minute long golf instruction video is key to setting you on the right path for the ...

Right Wrist in the Takeaway
Right Wrist in the Takeaway

The role of right wrist in the takeaway is often misunderstood and has been the source of ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - Pushing with the Lead Side
Fix Inside Takeaway - Pushing with the Lead Side

An extremely common swing fault, so common that many golf instructors actually teach the s ...

Role of the Right Arm - Takeaway
Role of the Right Arm - Takeaway

Collapsing the right arm early is something that at least 90% of amateur golfers struggle ...

Pull for a perfect takeaway - 6 of 7
Pull for a perfect takeaway - 6 of 7

So many golfers try to perfect the takeaway in the swing and they constantly fight an uphi ...

Thorbjorn Olesen - Perfect your takeaway
Thorbjorn Olesen - Perfect your takeaway

See 2 key moves that Thorbjorn Olesen uses to build a picture perfect takeaway position ev ...

One Simple Key to Fix Your Takeaway
One Simple Key to Fix Your Takeaway

In this video, I’ll show you the one swing change that’ll fix your takeaway once and f ...

Posture's Effect on the Takeaway
Posture's Effect on the Takeaway

Posture at address is something that Tiger Woods always does right and it's something that ...

How to Fix an Inside Takeaway
How to Fix an Inside Takeaway

This one simple trick will fix an inside takeaway instantly, I guarantee it!

Fix Inside Takeaway - Shake Hands Drill
Fix Inside Takeaway - Shake Hands Drill

This is the best golf swing drill to teach you exactly how your hands should work during t ...

Golf Swing Takeaway & Drills
Golf Swing Takeaway & Drills

The golf takeaway has been described by golf instructors countless ways, so many ways that ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - Belly Button Drill
Fix Inside Takeaway - Belly Button Drill

This simple takeaway drill will give you that one piece takeaway you've been looking for o ...

Fix Inside Takeaway - Forward Press
Fix Inside Takeaway - Forward Press

If you've ever wondered whether or not you should have a forward press at setup, this golf ...

Wrist Cock vs. Wrist Hinge in the Golf Swing
Wrist Cock vs. Wrist Hinge in the Golf Swing

Do you know the difference between wrist cock and wrist hinge in the golf swing? The diffe ...

AXIOM Body Backswing
AXIOM Body Backswing

Eliminate your reverse pivot, handsy inside takeaway, your head swaying off the ball and y ...

AXIOM Refine Your Backswing
AXIOM Refine Your Backswing

Dial in your arms during the backswing to start easily shaping the ball, changing trajecto ...

Body Rotation in Golf Backswing - Chair Drill
Body Rotation in Golf Backswing - Chair Drill

If you want to power up your swing in golf, body rotation in the backswing is crucial. Unf ...

Left Shoulder Push in Backswing
Left Shoulder Push in Backswing

This "Left Shoulder Push in the Backswing" video is for you ONLY if you already pull perfe ...

5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Backswing
5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Backswing

Once you've mastered the takeaway using our "5 Minutes to the Perfect Takeaway" video, you ...

My Golf Backswing Secrets
My Golf Backswing Secrets

My keys to success for a perfect golf backswing - how to make the backswing simple and rep ...

How Much Shoulder Elevation
How Much Shoulder Elevation

It's time to help you decide how to power your golf swing. And it all starts with how you ...

Right Elbow Pit in Golf Backswing
Right Elbow Pit in Golf Backswing

Do you struggle, like most golfers, with a flying right elbow at the top of the backswing? ...

Understanding Arm Elevation
Understanding Arm Elevation

In this video, Ill show you what arm elevation is, why you need it, and exactly how much y ...

Fix Overswing/Across the Line - Flying Right Elbow
Fix Overswing/Across the Line - Flying Right Elbow

If you want to cure your overswing/across-the-line swing, you first need to diagnose the c ...

Live Lesson - How to Fix Your Arms by Fixing Your Legs in the Backswing
Live Lesson - How to Fix Your Arms by Fixing Your Legs in the Backswing

Do you struggle with your arms getting too deep or too disconnected during the backswing? ...

Right Arm Backswing Drill
Right Arm Backswing Drill

This is an excellent drill to train your mind to use your torso rotation to move the club ...

Should You Restrict Your Hip Turn in the Backswing?
Should You Restrict Your Hip Turn in the Backswing?

For years, you've been taught to restrict the hips in the backswing. Is that what's best f ...

Simplify Your Backswing with Shallow Arms
Simplify Your Backswing with Shallow Arms

Make this one simple change to reduce tension in your backswing to start hitting more EFFO ...

Stop Overswinging | Get Your Backswing Under Control
Stop Overswinging | Get Your Backswing Under Control

A powerful, compact backswing is essential for creating good contact with the ball. If ...

Fix Hip Overturning in Your Backswing
Fix Hip Overturning in Your Backswing

If you're letting your hips over rotate in the backswing, you're costing yourself a ton of ...

Fix Loose Lower Body w/ Laser Beam Knee Drills
Fix Loose Lower Body w/ Laser Beam Knee Drills

Lower body stability is key for power and accuracy in the golf swing. This drill will help ...

Torso, Hips Over Rotating in Backswing
Torso, Hips Over Rotating in Backswing

How much shoulder turn is too much and how much is not enough? Depends on how it's measure ...

DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing
DEAD Drill Step 1 - The Backswing

Here's the first step in building your perfect golf swing using the DEAD Drill. It's criti ...

Golf Backswing, Completing the Golf Backswing
Golf Backswing, Completing the Golf Backswing

Once you've mastered the setup, weight transfer and takeaway, it's time to progress to the ...

Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing
Winter Golf Training Program - Backswing

Snow on the ground? Too cold out? No problem! NOW is the BEST time to work on your golf sw ...

Upper vs. Lower Body Rotation in Backswing
Upper vs. Lower Body Rotation in Backswing

Confused about how your upper body rotates in the backswing compared to your lower body? T ...

How to Keep Your Left Arm Straight in the Backswing
How to Keep Your Left Arm Straight in the Backswing

The secret to why you can't keep your left arm straight at the top of the golf backswing.

How to Avoid a Cupped Left Wrist at the Top
How to Avoid a Cupped Left Wrist at the Top

Learn the cause of a cupped left wrist at the top of your golf backswing and how to fix it ...

How to Fix Trail Leg Straightening in Backswing
How to Fix Trail Leg Straightening in Backswing

Is your trail leg straightening in the backswing? Do you know what kind of issues this sim ...

Do You Start Backswing w/ Hips or Shoulders?
Do You Start Backswing w/ Hips or Shoulders?

To start the golf swing with the upper or lower body, that is the question! I think Shakes ...

Checkpoints - 5 Minutes Backswing
Checkpoints - 5 Minutes Backswing

If you who have already watched the complete 5 Minutes to the Perfect Backswing video, thi ...

5 Minutes to a Perfect Backswing Pitfalls
5 Minutes to a Perfect Backswing Pitfalls

In this premium video, I am going to cover some of the common mistakes that RST students m ...

3 Functions of Right Arm in Backswing
3 Functions of Right Arm in Backswing

In this video, I'll show you the 3 functions of the right arm in creating the perfect back ...

Henrik Stenson's Backswing Moves
Henrik Stenson's Backswing Moves

See how Henrik Stenson's idiosyncrasies work in his powerful golf swing. Check out these ...

Jason Day - Perfect Backswing
Jason Day - Perfect Backswing

Swing plane is a very common term used in golf and has become a primary focus point for a ...

What is a Perfect Golf Swing Plane?
What is a Perfect Golf Swing Plane?

Swing plane is NOT something you work on by swinging in a big PVC hoop or swinging around ...

How to Fix Swing Plane & Path
How to Fix Swing Plane & Path

If you want to truly, once and for all, fix your golf swing plane and path, you must heed ...

Creating a Swing Plane
Creating a Swing Plane

So many golfers struggle with their ball striking because they misunderstand the concept B ...

Fix Swing Plane - Lead Arm Two Club Drill
Fix Swing Plane - Lead Arm Two Club Drill

Here's a simple golf swing plane drill to get your swing back on track fast with a trainin ...

How Knee Flex Determines Swing Plane
How Knee Flex Determines Swing Plane

Do you struggle with swinging too far from the inside? Part of the problem could actually ...

Trace the Plane Line
Trace the Plane Line

Do you tend to get "stuck" in the downswing? Do you hit blocks and quick hooks? Do you wan ...

Golf Grip's Effect on Swing Plane
Golf Grip's Effect on Swing Plane

Having a proper grip is crucial for club face control and lag in the golf swing. In this v ...

Stop Coming Under the Plane in Golf
Stop Coming Under the Plane in Golf

Coming into impact under plane kills your consistency, often resulting in blocked shots, t ...

AXIOM Body Tour Impact
AXIOM Body Tour Impact

Learn the secret of how the pros are so consistent with this tour impact position.

AXIOM Body Downswing
AXIOM Body Downswing

Learn how to cure your flip, stop hitting fat and thin shots and how to get into the perfe ...

AXIOM Release Left vs. Right
AXIOM Release Left vs. Right

Discover the release that is best for you and your swing that will give you the fastest re ...

AXIOM Release Overview
AXIOM Release Overview

Finally, understand what it means and feels like to fully release the club

AXIOM Compression Drill
AXIOM Compression Drill

THE drill that will give you the consistency you desire with effortless distance you didn' ...

AXIOM Unleash Your Inner Speed Demon!
AXIOM Unleash Your Inner Speed Demon!

Learn how three tiny changes can unleash 30+ more yards on your drives when you need it.

Golf Swing Sequence - How the Lower Body Works
Golf Swing Sequence - How the Lower Body Works

Struggle with coming over the top or don't know how to use your lower body in the golf swi ...

The Magic Box - How to Check Your Lower Body in the Transition
The Magic Box - How to Check Your Lower Body in the Transition

The "Magic Box" is a term created by Chuck Quinton to help golfers learn the proper transi ...

Start Downswing Before Completing Backswing
Start Downswing Before Completing Backswing

You need to start your downswing before completing your backswing. This pro-style transiti ...

Golf Swing Transition Drill
Golf Swing Transition Drill

Most instructors consider the transition in the golf swing the most difficult, if not impo ...

Which Muscles to Feel During Golf Swing Transition
Which Muscles to Feel During Golf Swing Transition

Learn exactly which muscles you should feel and in what sequence during the golf swing tra ...

You Hit the Golf Ball with Your LEGS!!
You Hit the Golf Ball with Your LEGS!!

You hit the ball with your legs, specifically your lead leg, not your hands in RST. Learn ...

Golf Downswing, Rotary Golf Downswing Overview
Golf Downswing, Rotary Golf Downswing Overview

Mastering the setup, weight transfer and takeaway are critical to a great golf swing. But ...

Right Arm Only Downswing Drill
Right Arm Only Downswing Drill

Once you've worked with the Throw the Ball Drill, you'll want to begin mastering this much ...

Drill for Golf Downswing Sequencing
Drill for Golf Downswing Sequencing

In this video, I'll show you where you're losing power and a simple drill that'll get it b ...

5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Downswing
5 Minutes to the Perfect Golf Downswing

All the work you've done on your RST golf swing to this point has culminated in this next ...

Golf Swing Follow Through
Golf Swing Follow Through

The follow through is a result of all things you have done in your golf swing up until thi ...

Adam Scott Driver Swing Follow Through
Adam Scott Driver Swing Follow Through

In this Adam Scott follow through video, you'll find out: 1) How Adam Scott finishes his p ...

What You Should Think Over the Golf Ball
What You Should Think Over the Golf Ball

I get asked all the time what I'm thinking over the ball. This video finally answers it - ...

Taking Your Golf Swing Drills to the Course
Taking Your Golf Swing Drills to the Course

How to take what you're doing with your golf swing drills in front of the mirror to the go ...

3 Cable-Machine Core Exercises To Add To Your Routine
3 Cable-Machine Core Exercises To Add To Your Routine

We all know how important the core is to your golf swing. But which ones are the best for ...

Understanding Shoulder Elevation

Sorry, you need to be a member to access to this video.
Become a member here!

At the request of members from the forum, Al Consoli has put together this great video on understanding shoulder elevation during the backswing. So many golfers get their arms buried deep behind their chest during the takeaway and that leads to numerous swing faults. Understanding how simple it is to have an on plane takeaway and just how small the movements really are will be a revelation to many after watching this video. If you've struggled with getting across the line at the top of your swing or getting the club working too deep behind you, this video will change the way you think of the arm movement in the backswing forever.

  • Shoulder elevation does not mean lifting the shoulders!
  • Shrugging the shoulders disconnects you from your core, causing all kinds of problems in the golf swing
  • Shoulder elevation means raising your arms in a vertical plane, hinging from the shoulders
  • Elevation is combined with rotation into a single, smooth movement
  • Go back and review the Bucket Drill

Must be Premium Member to Comment

64x64
Joe
Hello Steven, My last review stops playing part way through. I've tried different computers and it just won't play all the way through.
October 24, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Joe. Email Customer Service. They will be happy to help fix the issue for you. Use the help link at the top right of your screen. Apologize for your error.
October 24, 2016
64x64
GC
Hi Craig, on my video review, although it looks my club is coming inside, when I drew the club angle to my hand and in the back turn, I was only inside by a few cm - pretty much on plane?
August 1, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello GC. Draw a little vertical line on the front of your hands (close to the lower end of the grip). Check to see how much your hands move away from the line from setup to the completed takeaway position. Compare to one of the model swings. It should relatively stay about the same. Not move too much inside that line.
August 2, 2016
64x64
GC
How to get a model swing?
August 2, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello GC. Upload a swing to the Self Analysis Section. Once you upload the swing and the page refreshes. You will be able to compare to number of swing models.
August 2, 2016
64x64
Gary
Quick question Al. Does arm elevation start IMMEDIATELY in takeaway / weight shift? i.e. Does the shoulder turn and arm elevation start simultaneously? Or does it occur a fraction after weight shift, shoulder turn?
May 26, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. You will start to elevate after you start rotating. Even if you use the weight shift as a trigger to start the swing. You will want rotation to occur just before starting to raise the arms.
May 26, 2016
64x64
gary
Great job Al! Arms are attached to the shoulders. Simply elevating your arms 2-3 inches while using the shoulder glide will get the job done. Shoulder glide without a little elevation will get your club way to deep causing you to elevate and then the compensation game is on!
February 5, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. Thanks for the compliments on the video.
February 5, 2016
64x64
Robert
Do you think moving a little farther away from the ball would help at setup. I tend to keep upper arms tied to my sides. When I practice I find it hard to get arms away and have trouble starting the swing and keeping the club in front of my chest.
November 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. You don't want to get too far away from the ball. The arms hanging directly underneath the shoulder joints should be sufficient to allow the proper elevation.
November 16, 2015
64x64
Mark
Great video Al! Well explained and now saved in my favorites
October 11, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mark. Thanks for the compliments of our video.
October 12, 2015
64x64
Lance
Thanks Al Great explanation
September 21, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Glad you liked the video Lance.
September 21, 2015
64x64
Peter R
In keeping with Allen's comment of May 12, 2015 about the importance of terminology in effective communication, I'm left confused by Al Consoli's saying at around 5:52, "the pulling of this right shoulder blade behind us" and at around 6:02, "we have to make sure that shoulder blade is pulling behind us." It's clear that Al Consoli really means shoulder, not shoulder blade. However, this merely points out how EASILY the terminology is misused.
September 8, 2015
64x64
Paul
Great video - it confirmed something I only just stumbled upon the other day myself ! Something wasn't adding up as I went through the 5 mins rotary drill, my arms kept ending up way too deep with my hips having to overcompensate, and I couldn't understand what I was doing wrong. This video explained it nicely and helped me, thanks !
June 29, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Paul. Great. Get that much needed elevation.
June 29, 2015
64x64
GARY
Hi I am loving the videos. At the moment I have a suspected SLAP tear , type 2, in my right shoulder. I am a right handed player. I do feel that I can't elevate my shoulders 100% and the right arm rotation is also difficult. What would you suggest? Many thanks.
June 10, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. Are you going to be operated on? I had my entire right (trail) shoulder rebuilt. SLAP - Labrum - Cuff -etc.. I have anchors all over my shoulder. It was tough for me before surgery to achieve the perfect elevation, but now don't have an issue after months and months of therapy. If you can't achieve maximum elevation it is ok for now. It can be relative to flexibility. However, work hard on the right arm external rotation and flexion. Take a look at the Fix the Flying Elbow in this Section to see if you can get at least the amount Clay describes.
June 10, 2015
64x64
Allen
Good video, but referring to the "arm" elevation as "shoulder" elevation is very confusing. It's the arms, not the shoulders that elevate. Terminology is critically important in communicating the details of the golf swing. Thanks for the great videos, but the swing is confusing enough without adding to it through inconsistent use of terminology. Thanks.
May 12, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Allen. Thank you for the post. We understand that the term can be misunderstood. Chuck released another video called Understanding Arm Elevation in the Backswing Advanced Section to help. Apologize for the confusion.
May 12, 2015
64x64
Allen
Thanks Craig. I viewed Chuck's video as well. Both are excellent. Just saying I have been confused by the term shoulder elevation for some time and would guess others have been as well.
May 12, 2015
64x64
Richard
I am one of the "others" that you refer to Allen. It is clearly arm elevation and not shoulder elevation. Shoulder elevation would be a shrug.
August 25, 2015
64x64
Peter
Thanks, RJ. I've got to get better. Got a new set of forged Calloways and Taylor Made Power-Killer 'woods' sittin' in the bag. They call out to me in the night. Right now I'm looking at another year of recovery time, but I'm getting compression on 40-yarders I never had before Rotary. Thanks for your kind words. Gettin' old is not for sissies. In my youth, I was a little man playing big man's games. (Ice hockey in h.s. and at Harvard). And each day, or month, or year, some old injury bites my butt and reminds me of my stupidity. But we persist. The alternative is neither productive nor profitable. Golf mimics life in that it demands that we 'strive' towards something, whether it be a low score, or a sweet ball flight, of just a contact that opened your heart. Without striving, without effort, everything loses purpose. Thanks again, pk
January 14, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
It's never too late to get better, that's for sure. R.J.
January 16, 2015
64x64
Peter
Thanks, R.J. But you've got the wrong guy, or at least your computer system does. Nevertheless, your statement makes supremely good sense, especially for us old guys who often think we're as supple as we were when we were 20. So I'll thank you twice, once for Peter, and once for me.
January 12, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Peter, You're welcome. Yes, I think the system had you confused with the other Peter. All I did was reply to his message. =) I'm glad you found the information useful regardless R.J.
January 13, 2015
64x64
Peter
Please note that I do think that my swing is better being connected using your techniques. Many professional backswings are longer than you demonstrate and I can achieve with your techniques. How can you explain their position at the top?
January 12, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Peter, The pros are very athletic and talented players with a lot of time to practice. It's very difficult to get that deep in the backswing and still get the arms out in front of the body leading into impact. It's an unnecessary movement. You can achieve the same swing speed, if not more and be much more consistent by keeping the arms in front of the body during the backswing. The two plane swing position at the top feels like a really short swing, but that's just because we're so used to getting really deep with our clubs. We should be thinking about getting width from the face on prospective not the down the line prospective. That's how we generate consistent club head speed. R.J.
January 12, 2015
64x64
Peter
Is there an inexpensive club head speed analyzer that you would recommend to monitor my progress?
January 12, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Peter, The one that I use, which I think is very reasonably priced is the 3Bays GSA Pro. It's $199, very accurate next to a launch monitor (of course it has some limitations) and it's practically weightless. This recommendation is that of my own thoughts and opinions and in no way reflects the opinions of RST or its staff members. R.J.
January 13, 2015
64x64
Darren
Hi is the elevation in the takeaway ie 45 degrees to belt height then continue elevation to chest height whilst turning to 90 degrees thanks
December 11, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Darren, You got it! Now you just have to do the reps so that you can do it without thinking about it. Good luck and we will always be here if you need us! R.J.
December 11, 2014
64x64
nathan
I have read most of these comments and have two questions. 1.) Is it possible to elevate to much? 2.) What issues if any would you see with too much shoulder elevation. Love the website.
December 2, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Nathan, Yes, you can elevate too much. If you elevate too much, you'll have too steep of a swing plane, get disconnected from your core, be severely off plane, and have to make a huge compensation to get back to the proper positions. R.J.
December 3, 2014
64x64
William
Chuck did mention this in his video '5 minutes to the perfect takeaway' and I must admit your 'patting your head and rubbing your belly' analogy fitted perfectly with the way I felt! Maybe I'm lucky, but once I got my head round the two motions of turning and lifting at the same time it just felt so good. I've been playing golf for many years and have never experienced real 'freedom' in my swing - the drills and videos have made a massive impact on my action, but I'm taking the lessons one at a time. Next step 'the backswing' but only after my latest swing review. Cheers! William
November 30, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
William, Congrats, we all look forward to your progression R.J.
November 30, 2014
64x64
Peter
You've done a nice job. But your Anatomy Professor would flunk you. What you do in your demonstration is to ELEVATE THE ARMS, using the anterior belly of the deltoid and a little bit of biceps. I know it's hard to change what's been a basic tenet of the RSW, but it's the truth. Think about what a golfer feels when he makes a partial and full backswing. It's hard enough to separate rotation from elevation. 'Hands in Front", coupled with the hinge action at the right elbow (It can't do anything else) gets my weary old arms to the right place at the top.
November 19, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Peter, The lessons are designed for the average golfer, who isn't a medical practitioner. The instructors do know about the anatomy of the human body, especially the instructors in the videos. However, getting too specific about the anatomy will confuse most people. It's about trying to relate to the audience so, describing how it feels with base muscle group description will assist people easier than getting too in depth. So, I appreciate your expertise but I just wanted to let you know the aim of the videos so that you don't discount the knowledge of the swing based on terminology not being displayed on your level. Thank you for watching and good luck to you in your improvement! R.J.
November 19, 2014
64x64
Peter
Easy, my friend. When I began sparring with you guys, I was still in a hospital bed, and Rotary was...well, less than Rotary is today. Today, and perhaps for the rest of what I've got left, I AM an average golfer. Lest you thiink, that I think, that you...Phooey! I'm outta here. Hence forth, I'll keep my big mouth to myself. pk Please say hello to Chris for me. I've admired his earnestness, articulate presentations, and good common sense in the past.
January 12, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Peter, There was no venom in my words on that day. I was just speaking frankly. My comment was more a compliment of your knowledge than it was a sleight of understanding. Many times those of superior intellect have a difficult time relating to those who are not so gifted, thus I was clearing up any potential misunderstandings between your medical expertise and the goal of the instructing presented in the video. It was also more of an affirmation of Al's knowledge base of the game and the human body as well. I promise you that he knows his stuff, but he was simplifying the information for the general audience. We appreciate your presence on the board, Peter! Don't stop posting. R.J.
January 13, 2015
64x64
Peter
Dear RJ Thanks for responding. You may not know my history; I'm an old, very old golf nut who learned from Hogan's book. I even got to play 9 holes with him in a pro am before the old Kemper Open, held annually in St. Paul, Minn. I'm so old I even caddied for George Bayer, first of the Bombers. (He couldn't putt a lick!) Now retired from Medical Oncology because of an auto accident in 10/08, I've gone from a Handicap of 4 to one of infinity. Neuropathy due to my post op management made it tough to balance during a swing. More recently, had my 4th lumbar surgery to correct progressive paralysis in my legs. So I sit, mope, and think about the golf swing while I heal up. I found you guys, liked hell out of your system, and have been an ardent follower and sometime contributor. Right now, most of my practice has been done while seated. I spend a lot of time fooling with stuff that pops into my head. One of these was "shoulder elevation". I had some concerns about this label, because as a little guy with too much chest, I'd fought "disattachment" of my shoulders with predictable results. My comments about "flunking anatomy" or whatever were said in jest. I'd come to like the guy I'd been communicating with, I think it was Chris, and I got too "cutesy". I was in error. I know of no way to "speak" with you instructors except through this forum. It's probably inappropriate for me to do so, but I spend a fair amount of time thinking about the golf swing (I once wrote a book on "Golf with a Bad Back", but couldn't find an illustrator. 20 years later, Doug Tewell popped up exhorting the stuff I'd written about.) What impresses me most, not just about RST, but about all you folks in Florida, is that yours is an earnest work in progress. I can see the wheels turning in your heads as you consider new issues of muscle kinetics, anatomy, etc. And you present your data in a highly-articulate, discliplined, professional, and yet easy to understand and follow format. I've never met Mr. Ballard, never spoken with him, but I've been teaching all my professional life, and I'd sit in his audience any day. Case in point: Shoulder elevation controversy led to further explanations, videos, and definitions like, "This is a shrug. The shrug has NO place in the golf swing." Thanks for taking time out to respond to me. Sorry if this was long. But I'm glad you're on board. Every once in a while, you might trip over an old f---t like me. But remember, even a blind pig finds a truffle once in a while. Regards & Admiration to you all, Peter Kennedy, M.S., M.D.--armchair golf addict
January 13, 2015
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Peter, My condolences for the adversity that you face everyday. We all do appreciate your contributions and I hope that you stick with the game even when your body fails you. I do agree though, everything in life is an ever growing process. We're always trying to improve ourselves as instructors. Never let the flame of your love of the game burn out, my friend. R.J.
January 14, 2015
64x64
Grant
I've watched this video as well as Chuck's video on "how much shoulder elevation" numerous times. What is constantly confusing me and has from the start is the fact that you're saying shoulder elevation but in reality your arms are elevating 2 to 3 inches in front of your sternum, correct? Please help clarify that my shoulders are not elevating but my arms are, or am I completely in the dark on your terminology?
November 19, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Grant, What shoulder elevation means is that your shoulder muscles are flexing to raise the arms in elevation. Your actual shoulders you want to keep low and connected to the muscles in your back. If you allow your shoulders to raise, then you'll become disconnected from your core and you'll be forced to swing with just your arms instead of your whole body. Let us know if that clears things up for you R.J.
November 19, 2014
64x64
Richard
This is precisely the reason for the confusion. You call it shoulder elevation when you mean something entirely different. In fact you state, "if you allow your shoulders to RAISE..." Elevate is good. Raise is bad. ???? New terminology suggestion, "raise your arms from the shoulder."
August 25, 2015
64x64
Mike
Can someone describe the position of the arms at address, and what to do or fell to get them there? I'm gathering they shouldn't be manipulated to set the upper arms on the chest, as another instructor told me. This at times has seemed to help me, but now it feels like it rounds my shoulders and is inconsistent with the in the concept in the "in the box" video. When I try to follow the set up routine, my upper arms seem more connected to "the box" than the chest (rectangle), and my elbow pits are lightly touching the forward side (abdomen) of my torso. These feels different, and before I do a thousand practice set-ups I'd like your thoughts. Thanks.
November 11, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Mike, Your arms should hang naturally under your shoulder joints from the down the line view and your shoulders should be in line with your spine, which can be hard to tell based on your body size so, if your shoulders are between you ear hole and your hips, then they are in the box. If you want to know how that should feel, watch the 5 minutes to the perfect golf setup video. From the face on view, you want your left arm to over top of the ball and your right arm is pulled over to the left by our hip bump and axis tilt. If you have a very large chest from either being a large man, very muscular or just have a huge ribcage, you will have some slight internal rotation of the forearms in order to get the arms in the proper position while remaining in the box. So basically, don't come out of the box just to get your right elbow pit facing away from you, which is what you would be doing if you're laying your arms on your chest. Your arms should be hanging naturally. There shouldn't be much struggle. I would watch all of the setup videos to be honest, because those videos will help you better understand how your arms hang in the stance. R.J.
November 11, 2014
64x64
Jackie (Certified RST Instructor)
I agree with the fact that the shoulder blade glide should be the driving part of the golf swing, however I am unclear about when to actually start elevating. If I elevate at the same time as I glide my shoulder, I wind up outside the elbow plane due to the early elevation. It's almost as if the elevation occurs right after the glide. When I blend the two in slow motion it also feels like the shoulders don't start elevating until after the club gets passed my right leg. Is there ay specific checkpoint when to start elevating?
October 8, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jackie. There isn't a specific check point to say when to elevate. It is gradual in the takeaway. Not a whole bunch. As you begin to pull back make sure you are rotating. Then add the elevation. Blending is the key. Don't over do it from the start.
October 8, 2014
64x64
Hai
I sort of agree with Jackie. If I rotate to start the takeaway and at the same time elevate, they I will get a very "above the plane" take away. On the contrary, if I rotate but at the same time not to elevate, and I only elevate at some point after rotation, the back swing can be on the plane.
October 12, 2014
64x64
Tim (Certified RST Instructor)
Hai, You have to be very aware of exactly where your elevation is coming from. If you initiate from the hands it will move your arms up and away from your body and get you disconnected and above the plane right from the start. If you elevate from the front of the shoulders only you should be able to blend the two motions together. I almost always have a heavy medicine ball with me on the lesson tee to help my clients feel this proper blending. Any object over about 4 lbs will help you to differentiate between elevating and "lifting". The bucket drill is great also, especially if you actually add water to the bucket. In my opinion it is much easier to learn to blend two motions together at the same time. If you are trying to add the elevation in after the rotation starts, you introduce a timing variable that could be difficult to sync when pressure is added...
October 12, 2014
64x64
Lee
Rightly or wrongly I seem to have synchronization between my hips and my should elevation, what I mean is I continue to rotate my hips for the same amount of time that I bend my right arm, hard to explain but I think I may be putting my lower back under too much strain, just my opening the hips too much. I see a lot of pro slow motion swings and the hits seem to stop rotating at a certain point and shoulder elevation continues. Can you shed any light on this?
October 2, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lee. The hips rotate as a function of pulling the shoulder blade back. As your shoulder rotation start to slow, the pull of the will diminish. Therefore, the hips will stop rotating. While adding elevation you still want to be rotating the shoulders. Most pros try and inhibit the extra hip rotation in an effort to create more x-factor. Torque between the upper and lower half. Storing more power. But, also adding some strain.
October 2, 2014
64x64
Peter
Steve, contrived simply means that you're consciously UNdoing what your muscles have learned to do however long ago, and they're screaming, "Not that way, this way!!" It helped me to concentrate on rotating (from the waist up) till my left arm is almost horizontal (to my axis). The right elbow is trying to bend. If you don't let it happen, horrible things will happen to your shoulder joint. But the Rotary guys want you to not allow it to collapse against your chest wall-that's how you go inside. I've suggested doing this motion sitting in a chair. DON'T FORGET THE ELBOW "PIT" IS POINTING DIRECTLY AWAY FROM YOU AT ADDRESS. The "pit" is really the antecubital fossa. You have to internally rotate your upper arm (humerus) to get there. That prepares your elbow bend in a proper relationship to the rest of ur upper body. The only guys I know who don't do that are the Walrus and his son. Works for them, I guess. When the elbow starts to bend, the arms have to elevate. By this time, your shoulders have rotated about 60-70 degrees. In the tapes, they tell you the elevation is 2-3 inches (but when they demonstrate the move, it's always about six.) Again, the elevation is done with the arms, but at this point.it's just completing a full backswing, as the left arm moves across the chest. If it's done right at this point the right elbow should point straight down, and the back of the left wrist is flat. It sounds weird, but the other elevation they talk about is caused by the angle of your upper body at address (the amount you bend over at the hips). As a little guy built like a barrel, I feel a lot of stored energy on the inside of my right arm at the top. It's itching to "go". But it has to wait till after your weight begins to shift leftward, and your hamstrings and butt, in turn, store much of the power of your rotation. This is where you're anchored into the ground, and you start to leverage (hate that word!) As for the controversy, fuggetaboudit! Hope this helps a little.
September 24, 2014
64x64
steve
dear guys, the rst is really helping me. one area i need some help in is getting to top of backswing. i used to get wicked inside but getting in better position now. i feel as though i have to place my hands,arms and club in the correct position at top. this feels a bit contrived on my part although it is sort of working. right shoulder glide turn is a huge help because i golf right but naturally left handed and very left side dominant. any advice on hitting the correct position at top more easily? thanks steve
September 24, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Steve. Concentrate on the shoulder blade and supporting the swing plane with the right arm. Use the 3 Functions of the Right Arm in the Advanced Backswing Section. Drill the right arm position and support the plane. Simple and effective.
September 24, 2014
64x64
Peter
Thanks very much. That was good, concise, and easy to visualize pk
September 12, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Thanks Peter for the good feedback!
September 12, 2014
64x64
Tom
Why not call it arm elevation instead of shoulder elevation. Shoulders do not elevate, they maintain their plane. It seems it would be less confusing terminology.
September 12, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Tom. I understand where you are going with the terminology. I'm sorry for the confusion.
September 12, 2014
64x64
Giampietro
The only two things i can not understand: 1) when the arms should get starting to elevete? When im i suppose to starts the club levation? 2) Then, when i start the elevation, should i also start cocking my wrists (i mean at the same time)? Sorry if you have already anwered about it but haven't read all previos comments
August 23, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Giampietro. The arms elevate slightly in the takeaway. It will be a gradual blend once you initiate rotation. A little elevation and little wrist set. Take a look at the 5 Mins to the Perfect Takeaway about 22-23 mins in Chuck will discuss.
August 24, 2014
64x64
Eric
Reading the older comments it's easy to see how one would get confused with shoulder elevation. The are elevated through the shoulders is the way I think of it. If I thought arm elevation then I would want to just lift and extend the arms...which I used to do..which leads to disconnect and out of the box into the triangle...which is what I was doing. For me shoulder elevation is a great mental image leading to the proper physical motion. Trying to move I should say.
August 14, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Eric. Sorry for the confusion. From your notes, it sounds like you are on the right track now.
August 14, 2014
64x64
Ron
videos very slow to load & start,when started stutters,choppy,stops,when out on pause to load,takes forever.when started runs for 30/40 secs then screen goes black,error sorry .have had your system since 05/30/14 have not yet been able to finish any videos! if videos wont play i dont need your system!------Thank You ,Ron Brown
June 10, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Ron. I'm sorry you are having difficulty playing the videos. Our Tech Support team would be more than happy to assist you in getting the videos to play correctly. If you click the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page and contact customer support they will get you going.
June 10, 2014
64x64
Peter
I missed seeing Tim's comment about arm elevation in my first read-through. Twelve thousand lessons made him a wise man. As a little young guy, I played well by holding my hands high at address. (?Norman style? I learned it from an old Montreal pro.) But as I moved on in life, the right shoulder separated from the chest wall, and I couldn't hit a lick. Took a long time to recognize and fix it. For the rotary concept to work, there has to be SOMEthing that allows all that stored energy in the back to w-a-i-t. There are left knee proponents, hand-dropping proponents (which may be part of the arm elevation Tim suggests; as you get better at the "pause" and use your shoulders, arms, & wrists still more effectively), etc. You recently suggested a wrist bowing event. All these and others are different keys to doing the same thing: elimination of a downswing starting uncontrollably at the upper back. Coordinated weight transfer and use of upper and lower body to maximum efficiency have been in our muscle memory since we were 5 years old; they only await being transferred to a new set of planes and levers. pk
May 23, 2014
64x64
Jesse
This video was extremely helpful. Thanks so much.
May 22, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
No Problem. It is a must in the golf swing and commonly misunderstood.
May 22, 2014
64x64
Peter
My pal Bill is correct; there is no shoulder elevation. They're just sitting there on top of your ribcage, as they should. The apparent shoulder TILT is caused by tilting the thoracic spine anteriorly. I'd opine that shoulder "elevation" is a misnomer. Just erase it from the lexicon!
April 12, 2014
64x64
Tim (Certified RST Instructor)
We could debate the terminology used to describe this move, but there is absolutely no debate in the necessity of elevation in the back swing. In the 12,000+ lessons I have given I have never seen a player with too much elevation, I have seen very few with the correct amount and I have seen thousands of players with no elevation. The arms must elevate to stay connected and in front of the torso in the back swing. This elevation MUST occur from the action coming from the front of the shoulders. This is why it is called shoulder elevation. The most common error made when trying to elevate the arms is the player doing this by picking the club up with the hands. This action of using the hands to control the motion also tends to stop the body from rotating. You must learn to blend rotation with elevation along with right arm flexion to have a proper back swing, It's critical that the elevation comes from the front of the shoulders. Practice this very slowly with the aid of a mirror or a properly placed video camera for feedback. I would also add that body rotation is far more powerful than most players realize especially when you make a swing at full speed. Once you have the concept and feel of arm elevation you will have to exaggerate it far more than you think to achieve the proper blending.
April 13, 2014
64x64
William
I get the point of this video, but I do not understand why it is referred to as "shoulder elevation". The simple meaning of that term is that the shoulder moves up. But the key point here seems to be that the arms have to move up as the right shoulder rotates back - so nothing spills out of the pitcher/bucket. In rotating back, the right shoulder does move up a bit (as the left shoulder moves down) but the objective here is to rotate the shoulder rather than elevate it.
April 11, 2014
64x64
Dennis
You do realize that the shoulder can elevate in several different planes,right? If you were to shrug,you are not using your shoulder muscles to do this.That would be the job of the trapezoids. When you use your shoulder muscles,they lift the arms forward,sideways,and to a more limited degree,rearward. So,even though it's confusing,the term is technically correct.
August 18, 2014

We're after one thing: Real Results - Real Fast. And that's exactly what our members achieve. And that's why they say the AXIOM is: Mind-blowing. Game changing. Revolutionary.

Check it out ...

Here at RotarySwing, talk is cheap and the proof is always in the pudding. Come see the massive transformations we can achieve together in your swing.

See for yourself ...

From beginner to pro, we have what you need to get you where you want to go.

See how inside ...

RotarySwing was founded out of frustration with the current state of golf instruction. Quinton knew a better way had to exist to learn this game we all love.

Learn more ...

Join RotarySwing
Member Login