Lack of side bend at impact means the golfer fails to maintain a slight tilt of the spine toward the trail side (right for right-handed players) during contact. This spine tilt is essential for delivering the club on-plane, preserving posture, and striking the ball cleanly. Without it, golfers tend to early extend, flip the hands, or strike inconsistently.

Causes of Lack of Sidebending at Impact in Golf

Mentioned Below are the technique related issue along with the physical limitations for the error:

  • Incorrect Setup/Weight Distribution
    A too-upright spine or poor knee flex (especially with weight forward on the toes) disrupts your ability to rotate with tilt.
  • Lack of Understanding of Body Movement
     Confusing rotation with staying “level” often leads to straightening the spine and losing tilt at impact.
  • Overemphasis on One Element
     Focusing only on rotation or keeping the head level can eliminate natural side bend, causing a vertical spine at contact.
  • Incorrect Swing Thought/Intent
     Ideas like “stay tall” or “don’t dip” can create tension and restrict the necessary downward motion of the trail side.

Drills to Avoid The Issue

1. Stick and Balls Side Bend Drill
Enhances proper side bend and spine angle awareness during the golf swing to develop a consistent side bend to maintain spine angle and improve swing mechanics.​

2. Side Bend Golf Drill
Enhances proper side bend and helps maintain posture during the golf swing to improve follow-through mechanics by maintaining proper side bend and rotation.

3. Wall Drill For Side Bend
Enhances side bend and helps maintain proper posture through impact to develop consistent side bend and posture to improve ball-striking and overall swing mechanics.​

Physical Limitations With Exercises to Improve

  • Restricted Side Bend
    Restricts ability to side bend effectively.
    – Exercises – Cat-Cow stretch, side plank, side bend with resistance.
  • Weak Core
    Makes it difficult to maintain posture and tilt under speed.
    – Exercises – Plank, side plank, russian twist.
  • Tight Hamstrings
    – Exercises – Static stretch, seated hamsting stretch, foam rolling.

How to Adapt Your Swing to Physical Limitations

  • Use a slightly more upright spine through impact (if full tilt causes discomfort)
  • Strengthen glutes and obliques to restore trail-side control
  • Adopt a slightly shallower swing plane to reduce the need for deep shoulder drop

Alternate Names for Lack of Sidebending at Impact in Golf

  • No Spine Tilt at Impact
  • Standing Up at Impact
  • Loss of Secondary Tilt
  • Vertical Spine Through Contact

Related Swing Errors

Precursor and Successor errors to lack of sidebending at impact in golf.

Precursor Errors (Triggering Issues)

  • Flat Shoulder Turn
  • Reverse Spine Angle
  • Poor Trail Hip Depth in Backswing

Successor Errors (Resulting Issues)

  • Early Extension
  • High Handle at Impact
  • Scooping or Flipping
  • Inconsistent Ball Striking

References: