3 Areas That Secretly Limit Your Backswing Rotation
Most golfers assume their rotation is limited because their spine is stiff. While spinal mobility does play a role, three other areas secretly hold you back before you even complete your backswing.
1. Set-Up Posture
How you address the ball sets the stage for your swing.
Lordosis (S-posture): An exaggerated arch in your lower back locks up the facet joints, restricting rotation.
Kyphosis (C-posture): A rounded thoracic spine forces rotation to hinge at the upper spine, capping the amount you can turn.
Even if your spine has good rotational mobility, poor set-up posture automatically reduces how much you can rotate.
2. Hip Mobility
Right-handed golfers need adequate right hip internal rotation for a full, unrestricted backswing. If the right hip can’t rotate inward, your pelvis stops early, forcing compensations higher up in the chain. Over time, this not only limits rotation but may also contribute to stress on your lower back.
3. Lats Mobility
Tight lats are one of the most overlooked mobility killers in golfers, especially those who lift in the gym. For right-handed players, limited mobility in the left lat can prevent them from achieving backswing width and shoulder turn. The result: a shorter, more restricted swing arc.
Training your lats through their full range of motion, not just heavy partial reps, is key to maintaining rotational freedom.
Final Takeaway
Your swing is only as good as your body allows. Before blaming your spine for limited rotation, check your:
Set-up posture
Hip mobility
Lats flexibility
Address these, and you’ll unlock smoother, more powerful backswing rotation without forcing the motion.
MEET THE AUTHOR
YU HENG CHIN
Physiotherapist & Performance Coach
SPECIALISATIONS
Sports Physiotherapy
Musculoskeletal & Post-operative Rehabilitation
Chronic Pain & Injury Prevention
TPI Certified Golf Screening & Performance Optimisation
Youth Strength & Conditioning
Personal Training
Sports Massage, Dry Needling, Shockwave Therapy
