So I noticed that my shoulders really want to set "open"

[SNIPERBBB]

Over the years playing golf, pretty much my miss has been off the toe or fat. I somewhat noticed this years ago but not until the last weeks two disaster round and todays torture session to figure it out that I really, really noticed it. (Couldnt of broke 90 both rounds as I was missing so bad I almost whiffed the ball to the inside or chunked the crap out of the ball). If I bend over in a neutral posture, my right hand is about a half inch to an inch farther away from my body than the left. I dont know if it its just a congenital defect, not that I dont have a few as i was born with cleft pallet/lip, or from injury.

 

So my question is, does anyone else suffer from it and or do some of you instructors know of this issue and what have you done or suggest done to compensate?  What I have come to figure out today, and I kinda did this years ago and forgot it about until today, is that if I just set up open to target it keeps me from trying to twist open too early to give my right arm room to swing.

[smdykas]

I had an issue with setting up open with my shoulders, and it was due to my trail hand being too weak, and a spine tilt toward the target. Once I got to neutral, and strengthened the grip, it went away, but was something I had to watch for all the time. Even today I watch my set up.

 

Not sure if this helps, but check the spine angle and grip. 

[MPAndreassi]

My shoulders want to set up open naturally as well. I’m just aware of it and feel like I’m setting my trail shoulder back at address. 

[SNIPERBBB]

57 minutes ago, MPAndreassi said:

My shoulders want to set up open naturally as well. I’m just aware of it and feel like I’m setting my trail shoulder back at address. 

I did that for a while but I think I was starting to over do it and led to the aformentioned disaster.

[golfsticks]

Without seeing, this might address some of your issues in play.  Gripping up high hooks the arms up like Jackie says.  Additionally, the more, if that's what you're doing, the trail arm goes across the body toward target in assuming it's part of holding the club the more the body can kick open a little.

 

When all else fails, one way to find square if you think parts have bumped open while settling in comes from  old Scots- 'stand up to square up'.  Then when placing club back on ground be mindful and careful to not let the body kick open. 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2021 by golfsticks

[bortass]

2 hours ago, SNIPERBBB said:

Over the years playing golf, pretty much my miss has been off the toe or fat. I somewhat noticed this years ago but not until the last weeks two disaster round and todays torture session to figure it out that I really, really noticed it. (Couldnt of broke 90 both rounds as I was missing so bad I almost whiffed the ball to the inside or chunked the crap out of the ball). If I bend over in a neutral posture, my right hand is about a half inch to an inch farther away from my body than the left. I dont know if it its just a congenital defect, not that I dont have a few as i was born with cleft pallet/lip, or from injury.

 

So my question is, does anyone else suffer from it and or do some of you instructors know of this issue and what have you done or suggest done to compensate?  What I have come to figure out today, and I kinda did this years ago and forgot it about until today, is that if I just set up open to target it keeps me from trying to twist open too early to give my right arm room to swing.

I’ve been that way for years. My right shoulder just naturally sits forward some. No idea why but it’s the way It is.

[straightshot7]

You mean kind of like Bubba Watson and others?

If you feel natural setting up slightly open, maybe you should just go with it.

 

I know that setting up open, to play a cut, is what feels good for me.

 

I can then still open my body and hit the ball from the inside. If I try to close to shoulders with the driver, it's just foreign and not a good feeling.

 

Sometimes you have to decide if a fix is really a fix or if it's it worth. Only you and your instructor can decide. 

[MonteScheinblum]

Could be:

 

Ball too forward.

Grip too weak for you.

Body proportions dictate it.

Could be nothing

[jobin]

Good on ya, Monte.  Covering the bases well.

Yes, no or maybe.

[SNIPERBBB]

6 hours ago, MonteScheinblum said:

Could be:

 

Ball too forward.

Grip too weak for you.

Body proportions dictate it.

Could be nothing

Not even holding a club, the right shoulder just sets forward. Have to rotate the shoulder back to set "square".

[enders.seb]

Could be a lot of things like Monte said. But you can definitely play from an open stance. Cuts will be natural from there, but if you watch Rory he sets up open and still hits draws.

[Golfbeat]

 

You might have a look at this but possibly more focused on open lower body.

Edited March 24, 2021 by Golfbeat
Added text

[596]

In the photo of Bubba is the shoulder really open?  His shoulders look dead square to his target line and feet.  Is the OP referring to his shoulder being open to his stance of his feet or is his entire setup open like Bubbas?

 

My shoulders were open to my stance for years.  Recently figured out why I hit the ball off the toe and fat.   My shoulders were open to stance because my right (back) leg is an inch shorter then my left.  I now flex my lead left leg, thank you Monte, just slightly and it squares my hips and shoulders naturally.  For the most part this has eliminated the fat or toe shots.   It has improved my ball striking a lot and lowered my scores.      

Edited March 24, 2021 by 596

[bortass]

4 hours ago, SNIPERBBB said:

Not even holding a club, the right shoulder just sets forward. Have to rotate the shoulder back to set "square".

I know exactly what you mean. It is not golf specific. One thing would be to see if retracting your shoulder blades helps at all. My chiropractor used to mention how sitting at a desk all day using a keyboard can cause our shoulders to move forward compared to where they should be. I had cleared it up a bit when I went to the gym regularly and did seated rows. The other would be trying to remember to close them every swing. 

 

If you find a cure that works for you, let me know. I noticed this issue with my shoulders over 10 years ago and have yet to do much about it with regard to a permanent fix. I also have no clue if it's just the way i'm built and I had never noticed previously since it never mattered....

[SNIPERBBB]

2 minutes ago, bortass said:

I know exactly what you mean. It is not golf specific. One thing would be to see if retracting your shoulder blades helps at all. My chiropractor used to mention how sitting at a desk all day using a keyboard can cause our shoulders to move forward compared to where they should be. I had cleared it up a bit when I went to the gym regularly and did seated rows. The other would be trying to remember to close them every swing. 

 

If you find a cure that works for you, let me know. I noticed this issue with my shoulders over 10 years ago and have yet to do much about it with regard to a permanent fix. I also have no clue if it's just the way i'm built and I had never noticed previously since it never mattered....

Might be the computer thing but that was mostly back when I was in college and was at the computer when not in class and most of my classes were involving computers even 15 years ago.  Now work is my exercise or just destroys my back. Playing with the open stance will likely be the way forward as it even effects my putting as it wants to suck the club inside on the through stroke. Opening up straighten things up.

[getitdaily]

I tend to setup closed, especially with my hips and legs. Really hampers getting open in the downswing.

[MoneyMan300]

2 hours ago, getitdaily said:

I tend to setup closed, especially with my hips and legs. Really hampers getting open in the downswing.

 

Unless I'm misinterpreting what you are saying, that is usually a good thing, especially with the shoulders.

Edited March 24, 2021 by MoneyMan300

[getitdaily]

Just now, MoneyMan300 said:

 

Unless I'm misinterpreting what you are saying.....that is a good thing.

Sometimes, but not usually. I struggle with a lateral shift in the downswing. That lateral shift is lessened when I get more open. When I setup closed I tend to get in to out a touch on path (I'm a fader). I have to setup a touch open and then swing on my footline or shoulder line. Sort of an ongoing battle of how I adjust setup for where the ball starts and goes. If I setup too open then I get a start line that's too far left and can start getting into pulls. 

 

Stupid game