If you’re landing short, hooking, or slicing off the tee, you could be making a “fake turn” during your backswing. Instead of taking a full turn, you make only a partial, half-hearted turn. Golfers who make fake turns either lack the flexibility to turn their backs to the target or they just don’t make the effort. A poor turn can also cause you to swing too flat or too deep, leading to mis-hits. Whatever the cause, fake turns decrease consistency and power.
The only way to achieve consistency is to train yourself to make a full turn every time. To do this, you must turn your shoulders so that they make a right angle with your spine while keeping your head still. You should feel like your shoulder is turning under your chin. (Moving your head slightly from side to side isn’t a big problem. Moving it up and down is.)
A proper turn produces a tightly coiled position, laden with power. If you can’t seem to make a full turn, try stretching every day. After awhile, you’ll be able to make the kind of turn you need to generate real power and accuracy off the tee. Here’s a drill that teaches you to complete your turn:
Tee up a ball. Take your normal stance. Then lay a 3-wood on the ground next to the heel of your right foot. Set it so it’s perpendicular to your target line. Next, take a driver and lay the shaft against your chest. Bend over as if you were going to hit a ball. Make your backswing using the 3-wood as your guide. When you finish the turn, your driver should point somewhere between your club and the ball.
