Unlock Power Like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

When you think of powerful and precise golf swings, it’s hard not to think of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. These two legends of the game have one key thing in common: their mastery of spine tilt at address.

We have a video breaking this down below (it is less than 2 minutes)

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Tiger Woods: The Blueprint for Power and Precision

Tiger Woods, widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, demonstrates how a slight tilt of the spine can create a more efficient swing. At address, Tiger sets up with his spine tilted away from the target—usually about 4 to 5 degrees.

Why is this important?

• It allows his body to rotate naturally in the backswing.

• His head stays behind the ball, creating a powerful loading position.

• From this position, he can unleash incredible power with minimal compensations.

Whether it’s a towering drive or a pinpoint iron shot, this small adjustment helps Tiger deliver consistent and spectacular results.

Rory McIlroy: The Modern Standard for Driving

Rory McIlroy is widely considered the best driver of the golf ball today—and some argue he’s the best of all time. When you watch Rory at address, you’ll notice the same setup fundamentals as Tiger:

• His spine tilts slightly away from the target.

• This tilt provides a strong foundation for his backswing, allowing his body to rotate freely around his spine.

• Rory’s head stays behind the ball as he transitions into the downswing, helping him generate effortless speed and precision.

The result? High, towering drives that leave his playing partners and fans in awe.

How You Can Add This to Your Game

Want to harness the same power in your swing? Here’s a simple guide:

1. Set up with a slight spine tilt away from the target at address (about 4-5 degrees).

2. Rotate around your spine during your backswing—avoid any excessive swaying or collapsing.

3. Keep your head behind the ball as you transition into your downswing to maintain balance and power.

This small but crucial adjustment can help you hit longer, straighter shots with better ball-striking consistency.

👉 Watch the full video here

Thanks for reading!

—Ralph Bauer

Ralph Bauer has coached on the PGA Tour since 2009. He’s worked at all four majors, the Olympics, and has helped two of his players win major championships. His students have earned over $400 million in PGA Tour earnings. He’s coached on five continents and at every level of the game—and he co-created the Tour Read system to make green reading easier for every golfer.

Let me know if you have any questions—I’d love to hear how it’s working for you.