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"Spine Talk"
Don't "shoulder" the burden...

Watch the Golf Channel, read Golf Digest or any current golf related magazine and you're bound to find some instructional topic related to SHOULDER TURN.

Shoulder Turn, however, is a misleading description for the motion that occurs during the golf swing from the standpoint that, technically, the shoulders don't actually have the physical capacity to turn.  What people are describing when they use the term "shoulder turn" is the rotational motion of the thoracic region of the spine turning in relation to the lumbar region of the spine. 

Since the shoulders are connected to the thoracic region of the spine, and we see what it appears that they are doing during the takeaway, we simply refer to the motion as a "shoulder turn"... besides, it sounds better than saying, "boy, did you see Tiger's thoracic back turn."

Anyway, what you're actually trying to do when you make a "shoulder turn" is to generate the greatest possible differential between the thoracic & lumbar regions of the spine.  The measure of this differential is commonly referred to as the "X" factor.

To obtain the greatest possible differential and "X" factor, it is important to get yourself set in a position at address that most easily facilitates this objective.

To do this, try this simple procedure to get yourself in the correct address position and spine angle.

1.		Begin with your feet at shoulder width with your knees slightly flexed.  Hold a driver with the head under your chin and the shaft pointing straight down at the ground.  Try to get as relaxed as possible while at the same time maintaining a solid posture.
2.		Establish the PRIMARY TILT (The forward tilt at the waist) Bend at the waist until the shaft goes between your legs. Your knees should still be bent and you should still have a solid, balanced, posture.
3.		Establish the SECONDARY TILT (The right tilt at the waist) Bend to your right until the shaft touches your left leg.  The shaft should touch your leg just above the calf and just below the knee.