The Definition A Reverse Spine Angle occurs when your upper body leans toward the target at the top of the backswing, while your lower body drifts away from it.

Instead of coiling behind the golf ball, you create a "teeter-totter" effect, tilting your spine the wrong way. To hit the ball from this position, your body must rapidly fall backward during the downswing. This causes severe fat shots, completely drains your power, and is the leading cause of lower back pain in amateur golfers.

The Amateur: The Forward Tilt

Watch the video below to see what a Reverse Spine Angle looks like in a position-by-position 3D breakdown.

The Data Check: In this video, the Purple Line tracks the center of the chest, and the Yellow Line tracks the center of the pelvis.

At the top of the backswing (P4), this amateur’s pelvis has drifted away from the target (-1.1"), but their chest has leaned toward the target (+1.1"). Notice how the Purple line completely crosses in front of the Yellow line. Their upper body is leaning over their front leg. Because they are tilted forward, gravity will violently pull them backward as soon as they start the downswing.

Stop Guessing. Start Measuring.

Do you have a Reverse Spine Angle? Feeling like your head is "staying still" over the ball often tricks golfers into leaning toward the target to fake a turn.

Upload your swing video for a Digital Analysis. We will use 3D motion tracking to measure the exact relationship between your upper and lower swing centers to ensure your spine is safely coiled, not dangerously tilted. [Button: Start My Swing Analysis]

The Professional: The Stacked Coil

For comparison, watch how a Tour Professional perfectly stacks their spine at the top of the swing.

The Data Check: Look at the lines on the Professional. At the top of the swing, their chest is at 0" and their pelvis is at +0.1".

Look at the Professional Acceptable Ranges:

• Chest Sway (Top of Swing): -1.2" to +1.0"

• Pelvis Sway (Top of Swing): -1.0" to +1.0"

Notice the visual difference: The Professional's Purple line (Chest) stays perfectly stacked over or slightly behind the Yellow line (Pelvis). They haven't tilted; they have purely rotated. This allows them to push aggressively into their lead leg during the downswing for massive, pain-free power.

The Body-Swing Connection

A Reverse Spine Angle is rarely intentional. It is almost always your body’s way of cheating a backswing when you lack physical mobility. There are 13 physical limitations that can impact your golf swing.

If your spine cannot extend or rotate properly, your brain will force you to tilt sideways to get the club to the top. The physical limitations that directly cause this tilt include:

• Limited thoracic spine (upper back) extension and rotation

• Limited lead hip internal rotation

• Weak core and glute stability (inability to hold posture)

A simple screening process can identify these limitations and provide a straightforward exercise routine to protect your back and unlock your swing.

Find out more about mobility in the golf swing: [Insert Link]