Many aspects of our golf swing are connected. Regardless of what our training focus is on any given day, it will bleed over to other aspects of our swing. During today’s discussion, Johnny Miller talks about returning our lead shoulder back to the original set up position before making contact. His view is that this movement helps with compression and contact and, of course, he is correct. However, there are some secondary results that should not be overlooked. They are as important as the main area of your training focus.

Johnny Miller talks about ensuring our lead shoulder returns back to our set up position or farther during contact. It makes sense because this movement will ensure a steeper angle of attack on contact resulting in more compression and solid contact. However, there is more to the story. Take a look at what Miller says then we can discuss two secondary results of this movement:

The first benefit of Miller’s advice is a balanced weight shift. Ensuring our shoulder is back (in Miller’s case aligned with his lead foot) to the original set up position, he is able to easily move his moment to the front of the stance creating a power position to hit the ball well. His weight shift is balanced, smooth and consistent. This specific swing action is a result of moving his lead shoulder back to his setup position.

The second benefit of ensuring our lead shoulder moves to the proper hitting position is that it prevents flipping our wrists during contact. We have not choice but to hit through the ball because our body position is perfectly aligned to compress the ball. Preventing a flip with our wrists will create greater distance and consistent contact with our irons. This is a good thing as I see many of my friends flipping their wrists because they are behind the ball during contact.

Moving our lead shoulder to the original starting position during contact has many benefits. Like other actions we take to improve our golf swing, nothing is done in isolation. They are all connected. In this case, moving the shoulder to the proper position creates solid contact, compression of the ball, smooth weight distribution, prevents flipping of the wrists and many more. Understanding many of these sub benefits is one way to improve your golf game.

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