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Shoulders: The shoulder joint allows extensive movement around all three planes of motion. This wide range of motion comes at the expense of joint stability. Because there is little contribution from ligaments, the rotator cuff muscles are responsible for both movement and stabilization of the joint. So exercise "um".
To get the feeling of the correct shoulder action use the Cover Drill. Take your normal address with a five iron and remove your right hand from the club. Now arrange the club as if it were a cane, anchoring it in an upright position using your left hand. Simulate a backswing by swinging the palm of your right hand as your clubface. Make sure to turn your right shoulder behind your neck just as you should in a real swing and then come back to the ball with your hand and stop at the clubshaft.
Notice that before impact your left shoulder has moved forward (away from your chin) and upward but it has not yet moved around behind you. In other words your left shoulder has not spun open---it still covers or looks at the ball at impact. It's only afterwards that your shoulder rotates leftward ending up with your chest facing the target.
For more on how the shoulders work click here for "It's Good for Your Game" .
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