Another common golf setup position problem we are going to eliminate is not achieving the proper amount of axis tilt.
"Axis Tilt" is simply a technical term for describing how much your spine is tilted away from the target when you are in your setup position.
Many golfers do not know how much axis tilt they should have. How much is enough? How much is too much? We are going to make the answer remarkably simple.
Axis tilt is not derived from some arbitrary number that dictates golf swing plane. It does influence your swing plane, but that is not its primary purpose.
The primary purpose of axis tilt in your setup is to allow your trail hand to reach the golf club without forcing you out of your posture.
What if You Don't?
Without axis tilt, you would end up protracting your trail shoulder blade and rotating your trail shoulder forward just to reach the club.
Your trail hand has to sit lower than your lead hand on the golf club. If you are in your setup posture, in the box, and you attempt to place your trail hand below your lead hand on the golf club, there is simply no way you can reach without compromising your posture.
When you tilt your spine and bump your hip slightly forward toward the target, that small adjustment allows you to bring that trail hand to the club. Your trail shoulder will sit naturally lower than the lead shoulder.
Axis tilt plays many other important roles in the golf swing as well — it is not solely for placing your hand on the club. But getting the trail hand into position while maintaining proper setup posture and staying in the box is its primary function.
How To...And How Not To
All you need to do is bump your hips a little bit forward, toward the target. That will tilt your spine slightly away from the target, lowering your trail hand into position.
That is all there is to it.
We frequently see golfers who, instead of achieving that small amount of axis tilt in their setup, try to compensate by hiking up their lead shoulder.
They end up with the lead shoulder hunched up, and while that does place the trail arm lower than the lead, it comes at the cost of being completely disconnected from the core and creates significant tension in the upper shoulder area on the lead side.
All you need to do is get into a proper golf setup position and then bump your hips slightly toward the target.
That small bump creates your axis tilt. As long as your head stays in place while you bump your hips forward, you are all set. To see how your own axis tilt and setup affect your swing, try a free AI swing analysis.
Added Benefits
Proper axis tilt also helps with getting back to the lead side during the downswing and provides more stability from the trail side.
As you bump your hips forward, your trail leg angles slightly inward, which facilitates getting back to the lead side along with a host of other biomechanical benefits.
Primarily, of course, you simply want to ensure you have good posture at address. That is the main objective.
That is all there is to it. Just a slight forward bump with your hips, let your trail shoulder drop naturally, and you have achieved a solid, powerful posture at address. For real-time feedback on your setup, try a free AI golf lesson.
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Watch part 2 now to see how you're moving your body in the opposite direction of the pros!
Hip Bump for Axis Tilt - Your Key to the Perfect Golf Setup Position
Reaching with the right
Hiking the left shoulder - Don't do this!
