The reverse pivot is probably the most problematic swing fault for golfers. Many golfers who slice the ball also have a reverse pivot.
As a result, they not only slice the ball, but they don’t hit the ball very far either because the reverse
pivot does not allow for any leverage to occur in the swing.
Also, the reverse pivot can also lead to the early release of the hands, which will drain power even further.
Unfortunately, for many students, the reverse pivot may be a symptom of physical issues.
Golfers with low back issues tend to have a reverse pivot swing.
Golfers with limited flexibility in the upper body will have a reverse pivot swing.
Golfers lacking in core strength or who have some hip issues may have a reverse pivot swing.
The reverse pivot swing is one in which at the top of the backswing, the upper body leans toward the target, which is the opposite of what it should do.
This is the classic reverse pivot position. Instead of turning more level, the hips tend to tilt instead as the golfer tries to lift the arms. This causes the upper body to lean toward the target rather than away from it. Also, the golfers head tends to tilt toward the target as well.
The way we try to cure this particular swing fault is, in the backswing, to try and get the center of the chest over the right foot, while keeping the eyes more level to the ground.
To work on this you need to work on the drill above. First, get yourself to shift the weight and turn the hips properly, without tilting them.
If you are unable to turn the hips without tilting them, you wont be able to get rid of the reverse pivot without putting more strain on your back.
If you are able to turn the hips properly, but you struggle to raise the arms as seen in the photo to the right, then you likely have some shoulder flexibility issues and potentially some shoulder strength issues. Strength and flexibility training will be key to solving this problem.
Nonetheless, it is still possible to play well even if you have a modest reverse pivot. The main issue is that you need to forget about trying to lift the arms so high in an effort to get the club to parallel.
Some golfers who are more athletic, can still hit a draw with a reverse pivot. These golfers learn to reverse the spine angle in the opposite direction in the downswing from the way it leans in the backswing.
However, this is not a great way to swing because it will cause some stress on the lower back as well.
If you suffer from the reverse pivot, and tend to slice the ball, you can also work on the two drills I describe in the fix your slice post.
While it will be difficult to get rid of the reverse pivot itself, if you can swing the club on a better swing plane, you can improve your ball striking.
The bottom line with the reverse pivot is it is the one swing fault that has multiple causes that tend to be more biomechanical issues.
As a result, if you suffer from this swing fault, identify the cause (i.e. hip tilt, poor flexibility, back
issues, weak core muscles) and work on that issue. This will help you to work on the swing solution and make it possible for you to make improvements in the long run.
Check out the video below where I discuss how to fix the reverse pivot golf swing further.
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