Getting my weight forward.......WHY

Honestly I wouldn't even worry about it.  It's probably just something said on a whim without much thought behind it.  It's not like, scientific or anything.  That the pros do it is very likely simply a grand coincidence.  They also buy those hard-shell bags to pack their clubs in when they travel.  Am I supposed to do that now too?  Screw that.

Interesting that you didn't put a question mark at the end of your first sentence. More of a statement than a question?

 

It feels pretty natural to me. If I didn't move weight forward then I would think it would be pretty difficult to generate power without taking an almighty swipe at the ball. I'd also think it would be hard to swing from the inside, if my body didn't get out of the way then there just wouldn't be room to swing through freely with my arms.

I agree.  I mean, how am I suppose to even hit the ball in the air unless I stay behind it and scoop it up?  Weight forward doesn't make sense at all.

To me there are a number of reasons to get the weight forward. You mentioned the most important reason in my opinion because of the desire to move the low point ahead of the ball. If the weight is back the low point will be behind the ball and you will be a victim of chance to determine if you will hit a good shot. With enough practice you can do it, but it will not be consistent. 

 

There are other reason, one is the path. Take my swing as an example. I don't get my weight forward enough and I tip back and it causes me to pull the ball. For most regular golfers if they don't get the weight forward the path will be too far INward and cause slices. 

 

 

 

 

So two things that I can think of in 2 minutes of thought on this. 1, low point, 2, path issues. I will think some more about it and probably come up with few more.

I won't speak to actual percentages, but that bolded part is where you're wrong.

There's a reason 12-handicappers aren't scratch golfers (or even 5-handicappers), and it's generally because they can't strike the ball well. So when people say the pros have their weight forward at impact, it's not just the pros, it's people who strike the ball well in general.

Striking the ball well requires deforming the golf ball, which requires spin loft. Speaking about irons, the best way to do that is to hit down on the ball and move the low point in front of the ball (closer to target). Having your weight forward makes that infinitely more easy. That's fairly simple geometry.

Plus that path stuff mchepp said. D-plane = tiny bit more geometry.

I don't have the citation to hand (think it was from Bobby Clampett's book?) but remember hearing it stated that the best statistical correlation of any swing element to handicap is the distance that the low point occurs ahead of the ball. High handicappers generally had a low point behind the ball, mid handicappers right around the ball, low handicappers an inch or so in front and pros around 4 inches forward. Moving the weight forward is the only way to consistently move the low point forward, so ... that's why.

First off:

 

 

 

And here's my answer

 

So you don't do this 

 

 

I know that one all too well 

+1. It also helps tremendously if you flip your front wrist coming into impact, that allows you to get a good scoop at the ball.

The previous post was intended for entertainment purposes only. Do not attempt at home.

 

The pros do it for a very simple reason.  It works.

 

Lots of things could be "removed" from the golf swing to make is simpler.  Removing them will also make them less effective.  It wouldn't take much to teach someone to hit a nice easy, 60 yard pitch right down the middle every time.  One club + a putter and you're good.  You're not going to get very good......and you're surely not going to get much enjoyment out of the game at which you can't be competitive nor will every improve.

 

No one expects any of us schlub amateurs to develop a perfect golf swing.  That doesn't mean that we shouldn't have an understanding of the basics of a good, repeatable swing, under whatever swing style we choose to incorporate into our game. 

 

But then, you actually do know that......

Logman,

The easiest way foir you to answer your question yourself is very simple :

1)Just take a baseball ( or a golfball , or any ball ) and stand with your feet planted and not moving

2) Now keep your weight evenly distributed 50/50.

3)Throw the ball as far to the left as you can...........keeping the weight evenly distributed !

4)Now throw another ball with the feet anchored , but allowing youself to rotate, and move

   your center of mass forward as you will undoubtedly instinctively WANT to do in throwing.

   I'm betting you throw the second ball way further than the first !

JMHO,

Miguel

 

Seriously, is this ball related to Donald Trump? 

 

 

I have noticed that whenever logman 'inquires' about something he's not really asking about it as much as arguing against it...

Sure, if you want to hit a seven iron 100 yards, go ahead.  Also, what is "moving all over the place" about a centered pivot and a slight forward slide into impact?