Golf tips from the Pro
Golf Tips from the Pro is a series that features tips from our professional golf coaches.
Esther Li Ji Un turned professional in 1998 and went on to compete in the Korea Ladies PGA Dream Tour from 1998 to 2005. Alongside her competitive career, she began sharing her passion for the game through coaching in Korea between 2002 and 2005. Since 2015, Esther has been based in Singapore, where she continues to nurture golfers of all levels with her wealth of experience and dedication to the sport.
In this edition, Esther gives some tips on how to use the right shoulder correctly in the downswing.
Using the right shoulder correctly in the downswing
Many golfers made the mistake of letting their right shoulder push forward too early at impact. This causes the upper body to get ahead of the swing, which reduces both efficiency and distance.
Proper sequence in a downswing
The correct downswing sequence is: hips rotate → upper body → arms and club.
When the upper body follows the lower body, your right shoulder should stay centred—it should not push forward ahead of the rotation.
Often we see many amateur golfers who tend to drive their upper body forward in an attempt to gain more distance. Ironically, this often results in a loss of both distance and consistency. Instead, you will gain more power and accuracy by keeping your right shoulder back and centred during the downswing, allowing it to follow naturally.
Arm movement
During the downswing, your arms should not pull in towards your body. Instead, they should drop naturally from the top in a vertical motion. This allows you to generate effortless power and release the clubhead freely through impact.
- Practice drill
Here’s a simple but effective drill:
- Place a stick (or club) vertically at the centre of your stance;
- Practise swinging without letting your right shoulder go past the stick at impact;
- Focus on keeping your right shoulder behind the stick, while allowing the club head to release naturally
Doing this drill regularly will help you train your body to keep the right shoulder back and improve your swing efficiency and power.
To contact Esther, email: lwon1201@gmail.com Mobile: +6594512990