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Bob Menzies Golf Tips
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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

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.

Tiger, set powerfully and extremely well at the top of his backswing!
Click picture to enlarge

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.

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
 

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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Impact with a Driver!
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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).
 

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.

 

Interested in buying an Impact Bag?  Click here.

Tiger woods at impact


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Thank you,


 

"Keep it in the short grass!" - The Golf Channel

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!