What Is Shoulder Rotation In The Putting Stroke?
This means your shoulders twist or turn instead of rocking side to side. This twisting changes your stroke path.
Shoulder rotation is a common putting fault that shifts the putter off its natural path.
“The shoulders must rock, not turn. When they turn, the putter gets off line.” (source)
How It Affects Your Golf Putts?
- Poor Contact
Shoulder rotation moves your body and makes center contact inconsistent. This affects your start line and roll. - Off-Line Starts
Shoulder rotation shifts your stroke path, allowing the putter to move inside or outside the target line. This makes the ball start left or right. - Distance Control
Shoulder rotation causes inconsistent tempo and makes distance control difficult. - Unsteady Roll
Shoulder rotation makes the roll inconsistent as the strike becomes unstable.
What Causes Shoulder Rotation in Putting?
- Weak Core Strength
A weak core can’t keep the torso stable, so the shoulders rotate around the body instead of rocking side to side. - Hand-Dominant Stroke
A putting stroke that’s dominated by the hands can make the shoulders twist. - Poor Posture
A rounded or leaning posture at setup makes it hard to rock the shoulders, so they rotate to create space. - Tight Grip Pressure
Tight grip pressure can lock the arms and wrists. This makes a rocking motion difficult, causing the shoulders to twist instead.
What Other Faults Does Shoulder Rotation Cause?
- Wrist Flexion
Rotating shoulders make the wrists unstable and causes them to flex. - Inside or Outside Stroke Path
Shoulder rotation can shift your stroke path in either direction (inside or outside). - Head Movement
Shoulder twist can pull your head and cause it to move through the stroke. - Sway
Shoulder rotation can make your body unstable and cause a sway in the stroke.
Putting Cues & Feels
- Feel your shoulders rock up and down, not twist.
- Keep your chest pointed at the ball.
- Keep your arms soft and connected to your body.
- Picture the putter moving like a pendulum from your shoulders.
- Feel a smooth and simple motion with no side turn.
- Stand slightly taller to allow a cleaner shoulder rock.
FAQs About Shoulder Rotation in Putting
How do I check if my shoulders are rotating during the stroke?
The GolfWiz AI app can detect this fault instantly. The app highlights 50+ swing and stroke errors and shows you the exact drills to fix them. Start for FREE now.
Does shoulder rotation affect accuracy?
Yes. Rotation turns the putter face and causes off-line starts.
What is the correct shoulder motion?
A gentle rock where one shoulder goes slightly down and the other rises like a pendulum is the correct movement.
Can proper posture fix shoulder rotation?
Yes. Good posture makes it easier to rock your shoulders without turning.
Does shoulder rotation always lead to a bad stroke?
Yes. Rotation pulls the putter off its natural path and changes the face angle. A small rock is the correct motion.
Alternate Names
- Twisting Shoulders
- Rotational Stroke
- Turning the Chest
- Shoulder Over-Rotation
Final Thoughts
Shoulder rotation is a common putting fault that shifts the putter off its natural path. A simple shoulder rock creates a steady and consistent stroke.
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