Improve Your Golf Swing Using Proper Weight Shift (Part 2 of 2)
April 16, 2008 – 5:45 pm | by GolfdirtBy Michael Kosmala
In part 1, I discussed the impact that simplifying the golf swing can have on consistency and accuracy. More specifically, minimizing your weight shift back and away from the ball is your first step to a more consistent golf swing.
Proper weight shift forward and through the ball on impact will help you improve your golf swing resulting in straighter balls with more distance.
In practice, this means less sliding through the ball and more swinging your weight around your body.
How to Keep Your Leading Shoulder Closed Through Impact
If you struggle with a golf slice, you are likely opening your leading shoulder through impact. This is a very common mistake made by golfers who are learning how to play golf.
Opening your shoulder through the impact zone makes it very difficult for your club face to come through the ball in a square position. The most common result is contacting the ball before your clubface can get square causing the ball to be sliced.
Take a series of swings with your knees and feet held together is an effective free golf swing tip that will promote a more consistent clubface position at impact. Keep everything else the same, making a normal golf swing.
Keeping your knees and feet together causes a few things to happen:
- It promotes a more even distribution of weight in your swing minimizing your ability to shift your weight backwards and allowing for your weight to turn around your body through impact.
- It gives you the opportunity to focus in on the relationship between your arms and your body during the golf swing.
Most golfers who slice the golf ball don’t let their arms start the downswing. Your arms should swing away from the body and shouldn’t move in concert with your shoulders. Lead with your arms to promote a more consistent ball striking.
The above golf swing tip can be used on the practice range or the golf course itself. Keep in mind that you will likely hit the ball at 80% of your normal swing but will be rewarded by the consistency of your ball striking.
After you develop a rhythm using this practice drill, gradually go back to your normal stance.
Michael Kosmala provides proven golf teaching techniques and golf video instruction that help average golfers reach their full potential through his website YourGolfFix.com.
