As the weight shifts to the back foot is it best to have most of that weight medial edge of the foot? I imagine if you get onto the lateral edge it’ll harder to get weight off that foot. If this is the case is it worth keeping the slightly tucked in (knock knee stance) to keep from getting the weight onto the lateral foot?
This is so critical. Get this wrong and it could be the difference between shooting in the 70s or the 90s. Here’s my question, Paul; at what point does the weight distribution return to 50/50 in the downswing?
Paul ,For those who play tennis or have played ,the weight shift in golf is very similar to delivering a forehand :you also move the weight on the front leg progressively.It’the same also for javelin throwing or weigth putting ,or in boxing throwing a left hand direct punch
Good distinction. Seems it’s an initial lower body weight shift and not an upper body weight shift until much later in the swing. Upper body stays tilted back, head behind ball at impact while lower body weight shifts forward and hips rotate first. If the upper body weight gets forward and upright too soon, pulls and hooks, or pull-slices are the result. Am I right?
Exactly. So many people get this wrong and send it way over the top. Just work with a student yesterday doing this exact thing wondering why he pulls and pull hooks it. Glad you see it.
This is good because I think I’ve been keeping my weight on my right foot at impact because of your paper cardboard tube video plus others. (I misunderstood these) I know you want to keep your head behind the ball at impact but I’m also keeping my weight there.
I realize now I have to have 70% of my weight at impact. Even though I finish with my weight on my lead leg and my right toes pointed to the ground I think it makes me sluggish and lose some power.
Hi Paul,
When I try to keep my head behind the ball, then I seem to hit a lot of the balls off to the right or slice them. Could allowing my head to get too far behind the ball be the problem?
thanks,
ter
You would do this because this is tilting your whole body behind the ball. Keep in mind this move may not get you hitting perfect shots. This is a vital part of the swing or a piece of the swing. You get this piece combined with other pieces to build a whole swing. Too many people work on 1 thing and think they are going to hit amazing shots. This is not how it works. You are working on each pieces. As you put all pieces together you see the whole picture.
So your body tilt affects the path of the club. Tilt right too much and you will start it too far right. Tilt left (hitting with arms) and you will send it over the top. So you are too tilted to the right. This is fine for now until you master this feeling. Once you get the feeling you work on the tilt to the touch the legs position. If you are getting to the touch the legs position you would then be adding more rotation which would stop you from over tilting.
This is the biggest challenge for me so far as I have not been able to master it. I have made all the mistakes mentioned previously in an effort to get it right. Mostly I never switch my weight consistently enough to the forward foot enough or in time to hit the ball properly. Paul what do you suggest?
You need to be doing the touch the legs position. You cannot do this if you don’t shift your weight. From the top I guarantee you are thinking of the hitting the ball then you may possibly be thinking of touching the legs. I am making the move to the touch the legs position from the top of the backswing. In other words I am doing this way earlier than you. You need this mindset. Forget the ball and stay focused on doing this position. Do it at home, range and when you play in practice swings. This is the power source in your swing. You are leaving a ton of power on the table if you are not doing this.
You didn’t mention how the weight shift coordinates with the hip pivot (sometimes you call it firing your hips) – does the hip pivot precede the weight shift, come after the weight shift, or somewhere in between?
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14 Responses to “Say Yes – Weight Shift in Downswing”
May 14, 2017
ShahriarDavariAs the weight shifts to the back foot is it best to have most of that weight medial edge of the foot? I imagine if you get onto the lateral edge it’ll harder to get weight off that foot. If this is the case is it worth keeping the slightly tucked in (knock knee stance) to keep from getting the weight onto the lateral foot?
May 14, 2017
ShahriarDavariI meant to say …Keeping ‘the back knee’ slightly tucked in
May 14, 2017
JimDillonThis is so critical. Get this wrong and it could be the difference between shooting in the 70s or the 90s. Here’s my question, Paul; at what point does the weight distribution return to 50/50 in the downswing?
Thanks
Jim
May 14, 2017
RaymondCHASTELPaul ,For those who play tennis or have played ,the weight shift in golf is very similar to delivering a forehand :you also move the weight on the front leg progressively.It’the same also for javelin throwing or weigth putting ,or in boxing throwing a left hand direct punch
May 14, 2017
BriGood distinction. Seems it’s an initial lower body weight shift and not an upper body weight shift until much later in the swing. Upper body stays tilted back, head behind ball at impact while lower body weight shifts forward and hips rotate first. If the upper body weight gets forward and upright too soon, pulls and hooks, or pull-slices are the result. Am I right?
May 15, 2017
Paul WilsonBri,
Exactly. So many people get this wrong and send it way over the top. Just work with a student yesterday doing this exact thing wondering why he pulls and pull hooks it. Glad you see it.
May 15, 2017
JohnBensonThis is good because I think I’ve been keeping my weight on my right foot at impact because of your paper cardboard tube video plus others. (I misunderstood these) I know you want to keep your head behind the ball at impact but I’m also keeping my weight there.
I realize now I have to have 70% of my weight at impact. Even though I finish with my weight on my lead leg and my right toes pointed to the ground I think it makes me sluggish and lose some power.
May 15, 2017
Paul WilsonJohn,
Yes, the weight does shift but not right away.
Glad you see it. This could be the missing link that gets you to the next level.
May 16, 2017
terrybadgerHi Paul,
When I try to keep my head behind the ball, then I seem to hit a lot of the balls off to the right or slice them. Could allowing my head to get too far behind the ball be the problem?
thanks,
ter
May 17, 2017
Paul WilsonTerry,
You would do this because this is tilting your whole body behind the ball. Keep in mind this move may not get you hitting perfect shots. This is a vital part of the swing or a piece of the swing. You get this piece combined with other pieces to build a whole swing. Too many people work on 1 thing and think they are going to hit amazing shots. This is not how it works. You are working on each pieces. As you put all pieces together you see the whole picture.
So your body tilt affects the path of the club. Tilt right too much and you will start it too far right. Tilt left (hitting with arms) and you will send it over the top. So you are too tilted to the right. This is fine for now until you master this feeling. Once you get the feeling you work on the tilt to the touch the legs position. If you are getting to the touch the legs position you would then be adding more rotation which would stop you from over tilting.
Remember Series – Tilt and Turn: https://ignitiongolf.com/remember-series-tilt-turn/
May 31, 2017
PatrickGodfreyThis is the biggest challenge for me so far as I have not been able to master it. I have made all the mistakes mentioned previously in an effort to get it right. Mostly I never switch my weight consistently enough to the forward foot enough or in time to hit the ball properly. Paul what do you suggest?
June 1, 2017
Paul WilsonPatrick,
You need to be doing the touch the legs position. You cannot do this if you don’t shift your weight. From the top I guarantee you are thinking of the hitting the ball then you may possibly be thinking of touching the legs. I am making the move to the touch the legs position from the top of the backswing. In other words I am doing this way earlier than you. You need this mindset. Forget the ball and stay focused on doing this position. Do it at home, range and when you play in practice swings. This is the power source in your swing. You are leaving a ton of power on the table if you are not doing this.
Watch this first:
You Are Doing It Too Late – Hip Rotation: https://ignitiongolf.com/you-are-doing-it-too-late/
Then:
Exactly How To Do Touch The Legs Position: https://ignitiongolf.com/how-to-touch-the-legs-position/
It’s a Turn Not A Jump: https://ignitiongolf.com/turn-not-jump/
It’s Like A Throwing Motion: https://ignitiongolf.com/like-throwing-motion/
Secret of the Starting the Downswing (using triggers – off big toe curve): https://ignitiongolf.com/shift-roll/
DRILL: Lean On Club to Touch Legs: https://ignitiongolf.com/drill-lean-on-club
The Importance of Setting the Backswing: https://ignitiongolf.com/importance-setting-backswing/
April 3, 2020
MarkHelmanPaul,
You didn’t mention how the weight shift coordinates with the hip pivot (sometimes you call it firing your hips) – does the hip pivot precede the weight shift, come after the weight shift, or somewhere in between?
Mark
April 4, 2020
Paul WilsonHere is a great video to expain:
Weight Distribution Throughout Your Golf Swing: https://ignitiongolf.com/weight-distribution/