There is a science to the golf swing. There are so many moving parts that the slightest misalignment will have a tremendous, negative affect on the direction and distance of our golf ball. For years I have read and been told about how to hit my ball farther. This secret many elite players espouse is to create more torque in my swing. They suggest that by increasing the twisting motion between my lower and upper body. This all seems simple, but I can assure you that this concept is a bit more challenging than just adding more turn displacement. Every player has a happy medium on how they can physical move and this might be where the most amateurs struggle will trying to create torque. Regardless, creating torque is important, but do we really know what this means?

I think to really understand how to improve our swing mechanics to create more distance, we should understand two important concepts: Torque and Moment of Inertia.

The concept of creating torque was explained to me where I attach an elastic to my right shoulder and left hip. When I reach the top of my back I want the imaginary elastic to be about the same tension as if I was addressing the ball. Just as I start my downswing, I want tighten the tension of the right shoulder elastic by moving my hips first in a rotational motion. I try to rotate as much as possible before allowing my shoulders to start this turn. That is about as simple as I can describe it and I am still challenged when I stand over the ball. Creating torque is more challenging than just swinging fast at the ball.

I have searched, watched, read and fixated on trying to create torque in my swing. All I was able to do was infuse other swing mechanic errors into my game. I really struggled until I decided to slow things down and examine what I could physically perform. I dissected my mechanics and found that if I slowed down my backswing and focused and a strong shoulder turn I could feel my torso being stretched, hence I was adding torque to my swing. I spent a fair bit of time figuring this out, but now I feel I am maximizing my swing protentional. Of course I always want more, but that is a story for another day.

As stated in the above video by the USGA, to maximize our swing potential takes precision, mechanics and physics. These three concepts are not mutually exclusive. They require a knowledge and understanding to apply them at the proper moments during our full swing. I continue to work on these concepts and I am enjoying the journey. If you want to develop more torque in your swing, I recommend that you take the time to increase your golf knowledge and take your journey one step at a time.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!