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Positions
Note: The
following tips make reference to a right-handed player. Simply reverse
if you are a left-handed player.
Power | Impact
Click picture to enlarge
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Power –
This is basically the position you would want to be in at
the top of your backswing -- in order to obtain the maximum
amount of power within your swing. A good power position
starts with a good grip. However, if you are coiled-up
properly at the top of your swing (as is the case with Tiger
Woods, as seen in the picture below, left), and in a good
power position, then approximately 80% of your weight should
be on/into your right side – and on the inside of your right
heel -- to be even more specific. Consequently, you
should be able to easily pick your left foot up off the ground
-- and tap it repeatedly -- as a check point, to indeed find
out if you are coiled-up correctly at the top of your swing.
In a full swing, the shoulders should turn 90° and the hips
1/2 of that, 45°. With proper turn/coil, your left shoulder
should be approximately "over" your right knee at
the completion of your backswing. In the picture to
the right, notice how Tiger's back is literally angled "away"
from his target -- he is coiled tremendously -- so much so
that his back and left leg are literally an extension of one
another, forming a very straight line. AWESOME!
I realize that we are all different, some more flexible than
others, and that some of us simply can not turn/coil like
Tiger Woods. However, the more we can try to get into
these types of positions, the greater chance we will have
of making the most powerful swing into, and through the golf
ball, at impact.
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Click picture to enlarge
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Additionally,
for potential power purposes, it is nice to set your hands into
a position where they are as high, and as far, from your right
ear, as possible, WHEN YOU ARE AT THE TOP OF YOUR BACKSWING.
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| NOTE: It is acceptable
for your head to move slightly (2 inches or so) laterally --
to the right -- during the backswing. A very "fixed"
head position can often lead to improper turn and consequently
lead to reverse pivoting, which can certainly take away from
potential power in our swing. However, any vertical "lifting"
of your head would not be acceptable. |
Click picture to enlarge
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If you feel you are swaying, or simply not coiled properly
at the top of your backswing, then try placing an umbrella,
or a clubshaft into the ground (with no clubhead attached
to it) a few inches away from your right leg/hip and make
some swings, without hitting any balls. If the umbrella
or clubshaft moves -- due to possible swaying laterally to
the right during your backswing -- then you will know you
are not in a good power position.
Awareness
of correct body motion is excellent for ALL OF US, BUT ESPECIALLY
FOR A person who "dips" their head and/or left shoulder
during THEIR backswing.
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Back to Top
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Click picture to enlarge |
Impact
– The most important position in golf -- the moment of
truth! (I discuss the importance
of a proper impact position in greater
detail on my "Drills
and Cures" page, where I
specifically discuss
the Impact Drill).
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VERY BAD ADVICE -- "Stay
behind the ball" --
BECAUSE, IF TAKEN
LITERALLY, USUALLY YOUR
WRISTS WILL GET
OVERACTIVE, OR "FLIPPY",
AS YOUR WEIGHT
CONSEQUENTLY STAYS ON
YOUR RIGHT SIDE TOO LONG
THROUGH IMPACT.
THIS MEANS THAT YOU
COULD EITHER HIT FAT
(BEHIND THE BALL) OR
THIN (TOPPED) SHOTS. |
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Thank you,
"Keep it in the short grass!" - The Golf Channel
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Feel free to contact / e-mail me (bottom right-hand corner
of this page)
with any and all comments regarding these tips/notes.
With your suggestions, I can continually make these tips as
helpful to all of you as often as possible! |
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