Shifting Weight

**denver_nuggs_15** · November 12, 2008

I just got back from the range and realized something on the last swing: my weight is already on my left side (I'm righty) as I make contact with the ball.

Should my weight, instead, be shifting as I hit the ball?

**King Cobra II** · November 12, 2008

I just got back from the range and realized something on the last swing: my weight is already on my left side (I'm righty) as I make contact with the ball.

As a righty if your weight is already on your front foot that could mean a few things, which could cause a few things. One of the things that this could mean is that you're not rotating your hips at all, which means that you're not getting anywhere near the power that you would otherwise generate. It could also mean that your shifting way to soon, which could mean that when you swing your actually compensating by leaning back a bit, making you off balance. Both of these problems could result in a slice. A video would be very helpful, hoped that helped.

**ks8829** · November 13, 2008

Its ok to keep the weight on the front foot when you chip and pitch but for mid, long and drivers you are not maximizing your distance by keeping your weight only on your front foot.

Try swinging your driver with your feet together and feel the weight shift, then move your feet slightly apart and try swinging and see if you are shifting your weight.

the weight shift should be 98% to your rear feet to 100% to your front foot with your rear foot toe pointing to the ground for your complete follow through.

another drill you can try is to hold a golf shaft behind your back and make the turn with your golf swing and see the weight shift.

**jambalaya** · November 13, 2008

Weight shift is a tricky thing. I have gone through all kinds of drills and thoughts and triggers trying to figure out weight shift. My conclusion is that for the most part any conscious effort to shift weight during the swing is very problematic. The position of your body when you get to the top and the first move down determines weight shift forward to a great degree. A backswing that sets the weight over the inside of the right foot is essential. Just keep working on your backswing and first move down and the weight shift will work itself out. I have found no quick fixes that work for more than a round or two.

**tm22721** · November 13, 2008

Most weight should settle into the left leg by the end of the backswing and stay there while you are turning the left hip atop the left leg in the downswing. Otherwise the right arm and the club will pull you onto your right leg in the downswing which causes you to come over the top and lunge at the ball.

The tour pros are 30% open at impact on the average and Hogan was 45% open.

Downswing Weight Shift

**jambalaya** · November 13, 2008

Most weight should settle into the left leg by the end of the backswing and stay there while you are turning the left hip atop the left leg in the downswing. Otherwise the right arm and the club will pull you onto your right leg in the downswing which causes you to come over the top and lunge at the ball.

That link does not work for me. Just when do you consider your backswing ended?

**Baraethon** · November 15, 2008

If you are on the front foot at impact, you might want to try the Stack and Tilt swing - the problem you are describing is actually a key part of the S&T; swing.

**tm22721** · November 17, 2008

That link does not work for me. Just when do you consider your backswing ended?

Search for "Downswing WeightShift" on youtube

**loopy** · November 17, 2008

One thing I've noticed with my swing is the weight shift is automatic if I setup in a good position. One other thing that I've noticed is the weight shift is not as dramatic as I once thought. If I tried to load up totally on my right on the backswing I had heaps of trouble getting to my left on the downswing. So I set up in a good position and just let the shift happen and try not to over think it (paralysis by analysis).

**jambalaya** · November 17, 2008

Search for "Downswing WeightShift" on youtube

Are you talking about the Shawn Clement video?

**denver_nuggs_15** · November 17, 2008

I checked that guy's video out. Is he actually correct? Is that the "conventional" way to shift weight?

**kc8kir** · November 17, 2008

I checked that guy's video out. Is he actually correct? Is that the "conventional" way to shift weight?

Dude... there is no thing such as "conventional" weight shift. Sorry... we all wish there was, but the way the pivot is taught in golf (which really determines how your weight will shift on the downswing) is different from teacher to teacher.

That being said, I can attest that Shawn's Method is good and is more in line with "classic" swings like Bobby Jones and Sam Snead. It helped me a ton (though I need to go back to his posture method and body controlled takeaway to make it really work correctly). Some people maintain there is no conscious weight shift in the golf swing. Hogan was one of those people. Just turn and return. Let your body's balance system take care of the rest. Works for some, doesn't work for others. Oh the fun of experimenting in golf.

**tm22721** · November 19, 2008

Dude... there is no thing such as "conventional" weight shift. Sorry... we all wish there was, but the way the pivot is taught in golf (which really determines how your weight will shift on the downswing) is different from teacher to teacher.

Many people find it difficult to perform the lateral shift to the target during the transition because it requires precise timing.

Hogan automated the lateral shift in a stealth manner by turning back into his right leg such that his right hip moved back and toward the target at the end of the backswing, shifting weight to his left leg. This is apparent in videos from the front where you can see what appears to be a lateral shift (3-4") of his right hip as it rotates backwards, settling weight into the left leg. His left hip does not move laterally in the backswing, it stays the same as at address. In the downswing, Hogan just rotated his left hip hard. From the front, it appears as if his left hip is laterally shifting to the target, but notice that his right hip is NOT moving to the target. The perceived shift is an optical illusion created by the rotation of his left hip back to the 'tush line'. This can be better understood by viewing Shawn Clement's 'Hogan Power Move' video on youtube.

**kc8kir** · November 19, 2008

Many people find it difficult to perform the lateral shift to the target during the transition because it requires precise timing.

Yep. Agreed. Shawn's pivot is the same "turn into the right leg, butt swivels to the target". Sets you up to basically "fall" towards the target without a huge extra lateral move (he actually has some neat drills to get the feeling of this). Watch Shawn's swing from the back (I think in his video on dynamic balance or swing analysis) and you can see his pivot gets him in the same reverse K position as Hogan (he also presets the reverse K with a right spine tilt at address). The "Hogan Power Move" is a falling back towards the target as the hips transition then clear and make room for the hands and arms to whip through. Funny actually, because in Leadbetter's book, he would describe that butt towards the target pivot as a swing fault. Lol. Leadworse. At least some teachers out there are finally starting to teach it right!

**jambalaya** · November 19, 2008

Shawn has too much hip rotation and leg movement for my taste. I think his method relies too much on conscious lower body movement to take the club back and get the weight going forward. Nothing wrong with that approach but I have come to the conclusion it is not for me.

**kc8kir** · November 19, 2008

Shawn has too much hip rotation and leg movement for my taste. I think his method relies too much on conscious lower body movement to take the club back and get the weight going forward. Nothing wrong with that approach but I have come to the conclusion it is not for me.

Fair enough. Different strokes for different folks. You gotta do what works for you.

The whole "resist with the lower body" thing was really an odd turn for golf swing instruction imo. I think it was well meaning, helping people feel the coil and learn to use their body as a source of power, but it has become overdone. You have amateurs now trying to not turn at all, and just hit with the upper body. It works for some, doesn't work for others. Tour pros get away with it by having rediculous flexibility and coordination. Even so, the trend has started on tour to once again have a large turn. Large turns = large power if they are generated properly. What works for everyone though, is setting up a controlled pivot. That is the foundation for every good swing. It provides balance, smoothness, and control to the entire body throughout the swing. Effortless power, not powerless effort. That's the name of the game.

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