A crucial and frequently overlooked mistake at golf setup that dramatically impacts the top of the backswing position is failing to establish the proper axis tilt at address.
While we have previously covered how to set up with the correct axis tilt and how to determine the right amount for your body, many golfers still arrive at poor positions at the top by ignoring this simple yet essential setup fundamental.
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In this video, I demonstrate what commonly happens at the top of the golf swing when you do not have the proper amount of tilt at address.
In the image above, you can see what happens to a golfer when they lack proper axis tilt at address on the left.
On the right side, you can see that you can almost draw a straight line up the lead leg and back at a diagonal angle. That demonstrates that the golfer had sufficient tilt at address (slightly exaggerated here to illustrate the difference between the two positions). This is critical for two essential reasons:
- to get properly loaded up onto the trail side and behind the ball for maximum power, and
- to shallow out the swing plane coming into impact.
Below, we can compare the look of Tiger Woods from approximately the year 2005 with Aaron Baddeley when he was using the Stack and Tilt method.
You can clearly see that Baddeley does not have any axis tilt at address, whereas Tiger has approximately 6 to 8 degrees — which is the range we recommend for RST.
Though this difference does not appear dramatic at address, as you reach the top of the swing you can see below what insufficient axis tilt tends to produce.
Baddeley clearly is not in a very powerful or balanced-looking position at the top. He appears unstable, as if you could easily tip him over.
Comparing that with Tiger, it is easy to see how much more of a stable base Tiger has because his hips have not slid further from the target, and his upper spine has not drifted toward the target as it has in Baddeley's case.
If you notice yourself not loading up properly behind the ball at the top of the swing, check your axis tilt at setup first. To see how your own setup and backswing positions compare to elite standards, try a free AI swing analysis.
Video Transcription: Importance of Axis Tilt at Setup
Axis tilt
RST is based on nothing but pure logic, biomechanics, physics, anatomy — raw science — so every element has a clear justification for why it is a fundamental of your swing pattern. One of the things I believe is significantly overlooked is axis tilt at address. There is a specific reason why it is included as a setup fundamental.
You need to pay close attention to it because many golfers struggle with two very common problems that I am going to demonstrate — both of which are caused by not having enough axis tilt at address.
First, to understand what axis tilt is, if you are not familiar: take your club, place it against the sternum or the buttons on your shirt, and run it through your belly button. As you set up, the more your spine tilts away from the target, that is axis tilt.
Right now I have none. As I get into my setup posture, I am going to establish a few degrees of axis tilt. Let us see what happens when you do not have any axis tilt and attempt to make a backswing.
I am going to set up with my spine perfectly vertical. Now I am going to try to rotate back, and here is what happens. The golfer tends to fall back because as you rotate, you begin twisting your spine. Because your spine did not have any tilt away from the target, it kinks laterally.
The other consequence is that the trail hip starts sliding outward. These two problems go hand-in-hand: no axis tilt, lateral hip slide, poor position at the top. Now, if I establish proper axis tilt and rotate back, look at the position at the top. I am significantly more balanced, with a much more stable foundation...
With no axis tilt, the hips slide out
I do not want to have axis tilt toward the target — my spine leaning in that direction. With proper tilt, as I go to the top, it appears as though there is almost a straight line at an angle up the lead side of my body. I have axis tilt at address, and now let me take it out... without axis tilt.
I am either going to slide my hips laterally or stay on the lead side in a compromised position that is going to put excessive stress on my back.
Make sure that as you set up, you do not ignore getting a little bump toward the target to establish that axis tilt. It is essential for getting into a powerful, stable, and safe position at the top of the backswing. For a data-driven look at how your axis tilt and setup affect your swing, try a free AI golf lesson that evaluates your form in real time.
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Watch part 2 now to see how you're moving your body in the opposite direction of the pros!
