Tour winner shares nice drill for studying right weight shift

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, however one of the best recommendation stands the check of time. In GOLF.com’s new collection, Timeless Ideas, we’re highlighting among the best recommendation academics and gamers have distributed within the pages of GOLF Journal. At present we glance again at our July 1988 problem the place Peter Jacobsen shared a fantastic drill for correctly shifting your weight on tee photographs. For limitless entry to the total GOLF Journal digital archive, be a part of InsideGOLF at present; you’ll get pleasure from $140 of worth for less than $39.99/yr.

Getting probably the most out of your drives requires that you just use your physique effectively. A part of that equation comes within the type of weight shift.

If you happen to watch the professionals hit their tee balls, you’ll discover they at all times end on their lead facet. If you wish to hit the ball like them, you’d be smart to repeat this transfer — and all of it begins with a correct weight shift.

Again in 1988, GOLF Journal highlighted this transfer as Peter Jacobsen confirmed us a drill for correct weight shift. Over 30 years later and the drill can nonetheless do wonders to your sport. Test it out beneath.

Peter Jacobsen’s weight-shift drill

If you’re hitting weak “popcorn” drives, the issue could possibly be your weight. I’m not suggesting that you just go on a eating regimen however that you just aren’t making the right shift to maneuver the total weight of your physique — and, due to this fact, your energy — into the shot.

To understand the significance and the function my of the load shift, take into consideration the way you throw a ball. You progress your weight in the identical path as your arm — to the again foot as you swing your arm again, to the entrance foot as you swing the arm ahead and launch the ball, pushing off the again foot for energy. The identical weight shift ought to occur in golf.

Gamers who don’t use their weight correctly make one in all two errors. One, they make a reverse shift, transferring the load to the entrance foot (the left foot for right-handers) as they swing the membership again, then to the again foot through the downswing. Or two, they shift the load correctly on the backswing however by no means shift it ahead coming down. In both case, by the point they attain the follow-through, they’re falling backward, away from the goal. And that’s the path their energy is transferring — away from the goal — leading to a weak, arms-only swing.

If these are your signs, there may be assist. Tee up a ball on the follow vary and swing at it along with your driver. As you progress into the follow-through, step ahead with the appropriate foot, bringing it over the left as in case you had been beginning to stroll down the golf green. Working this step into your swing will make you shift your weight correctly, and has been prompt by such educated individuals as Gary Participant and instructing skilled Peter Beames.

Taking a giant step

At tackle, distribute your weight evenly between your ft and the balls and heels of your ft. Unfold them about shoulder-width and flex your knees barely till you are feeling balanced.

On the backswing, your weight ought to circulation to the appropriate facet in order that on the high about 90 % of it’s resting on the within of the appropriate foot. If it doesn’t, and you’re feeling your self falling ahead on the backswing, redistribute your weight extra to the appropriate facet at tackle, and ensure your knees are flexed.

Swing down from the highest with out desirous about a weight shift, then step ahead with the appropriate foot within the follow-through. The step truly has little to do with the shot; the ball is gone by the point you are taking it. However desirous about the step to return will encourage the proper weight shift: You received’t be capable to transfer the appropriate leg with out transferring your weight to the left facet on the downswing.

Maintain making follow swings with the appropriate foot stepping over the left till you grow to be accustomed to the sensation. Then attempt a swing with out taking the step. The shift should be there, perhaps not. If not, there’s nothing fallacious with incorporating the step into your common swing.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com the place he spends his days running a blog, producing and enhancing. Previous to becoming a member of the workforce at GOLF, he attended the College of Texas adopted by stops with the Texas Golf Affiliation, Group USA, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all issues instruction and covers novice and girls’s golf. He will be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.