How to Properly Shift Weight in a Golf Swing
Once perfected, the golf swing is both graceful and beautiful. The swing that all amateur golfers aim to attain looks deceivingly easy. In fact, it can take years to perfect and feel comfortable with your golf swing. Shifting your weight is one crucial aspect of the swing. With the proper weight shift, you can generate power and increase the accuracy of your shots. Learn to properly use your weight to your advantage and increase both distance and accuracy.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Address the ball as you normally would and stand so that your weight is distributed evenly between both feet.
-
2
Shift the weight to your back foot as you perform the backswing. At the top of the back swing, it should feel like 80 percent of your weight is on the inside of your back foot.
-
-
3
Shift your weight to the front foot as you perform the downswing. At impact, 80 percent of your weight should be on the inside of your leading foot.
-
4
To help you properly shift from the back foot to your front foot, place an empty soda can approximately 1 foot behind your ball and attempt the swing with a short iron. The can will force you to strike the ball from a steeper angle and pivot off the back foot properly. After a few swings, move the can 2 feet in front of the ball and practice striking the ball without hitting the can. This encourages you to strike through the ball, rather than at it.
-
5
Practice your swing on a slope. To get a greater feel for a proper weight shift, practice your normal swing on a sloped surface, both uphill and downhill, so that the weight of gravity will aid your swing. For example, on a downhill slope, the weight of gravity will naturally pull your weight forward from your back foot to your front foot. On an uphill slope, gravity will naturally pull your weight back onto your back foot. Remember to keep your shoulders parallel to the slope of the surface for a proper stance.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not transfer the weight all at once. During the backswing and downswing, the weight should be moving at the pace of your swing.
Keep the weight inside. If you overly shift the weight on the backswing, it will feel as though it is on the outside of your foot. Consciously keep the weight loaded to the inside to avoid over-swinging.
References
- Photo Credit golf image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
