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Topped and thin shots are one of the most frustrating faults in golf — but LPGA Master Professional Dr. Alison Curdt has a simple drill to help you fix them for good. In this video, she explains why standing up in the backswing is the root cause, and how a shoulder tilt drill can help you stay in posture and get the ball airborne consistently.
Dr. Alison Curdt – Game Improvement
Dr. Alison Curdt focuses on one of the most common swing faults among recreational golfers: lifting out of posture during the backswing. Using a straightforward drill with a club placed across the shoulders, she shows exactly how to train the correct shoulder tilt to keep your body connected and your shots solid. This video suits golfers who regularly struggle with topped or thinned shots and want a clear, practical fix.
Key Takeaways
Flat shoulder tilt is the culprit
Flat shoulder tilt is the culprit
When the shoulders rotate on a horizontal plane in the backswing, the torso lifts and pulls you out of posture, making solid contact almost impossible.
Use the shoulder drill to feel the correct tilt
Place a club across your shoulders, cross your arms, and as you turn back, focus on pointing the grip end of the club towards the ground — this trains your body to maintain the angle it needs to stay connected to the ball.
Keeping the lead shoulder down sends the ball up
By tilting the lead shoulder downward through the backswing, you maintain a consistent spine angle that allows the club to get underneath the ball and launch it into the air rather than skimming across the top.
Take this shoulder tilt drill to the range and repeat it several times before hitting balls, letting your muscles learn what staying in posture actually feels like. It is particularly well suited to golfers who regularly hit thin shots or find their ball scurrying along the ground rather than getting airborne.
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