How To Shift Your Weight in The Golf Swing

Brad Carey14 Apr 2022

Weight transfer or weight shift, as it's commonly called, is necessary for all of the numerous ways to strike a golf ball, regardless of which method you choose. To strike the ball with much power, you need to transfer your body weight properly. When it comes to power, amateur golfers rely too heavily on their arms. Although arm movement is required for power, the main source of power comes from the weight shifting from back to front.

Weight transfer in the golf swing is tough to notice since it's so subtle. A golfer's center of gravity can be determined by observing how they strike the ball. The back and forth movement are simple to see, but this is not the same as weight transfer. The heel of your back foot might be in the air yet you still bear the weight of your entire body on that foot.

Timing is also an important factor. You'll have a lot of trouble making solid contact, striking the ball straight and far, and keeping balanced if you don't shift your weight correctly during your golf swing.

Where Should Weight Be in the Golf Swing?

When it comes to the golf swing, many players get the weight transfer wrong. This is mostly due to people having incorrect ideas about which parts of their bodies they should and shouldn't move when hitting the ball.

At address, the weight should be equally distributed and modestly towards the balls of your feet in the golf swing. When moving through the shot, you need to feel your weight shift towards the inside of your trail foot during the backswing, and then shift forward again and through your left side. When transferring weight in the backswing, the purpose is to focus on the inside of the trail foot, which is the right foot for a right-hander, and the left foot for a left-hander, since this will help avoid swaying or losing balance throughout the shot.

How To Keep the Weight on the Left Side in the Golf Swing

During the golf swing, some players make the error of leaning rather than transferring their weight. Golfers who are having difficulty boosting power on their left side can practice achieving a coordinated weight transfer throughout the golf swing. Players should concentrate on rotating their bodies on the backswing when performing a golf swing. Doing so will help with the weight transfer and allows for a strong downswing. Grip a golf club tightly across your chest with both hands and swing it. As you turn, the club should spin with you, establishing the sensation of a proper weight transfer.

Keeping Weight on the Front Foot in the Golf Swing

Weight transfer is one of the most divisive issues in the golf game. Some golf instructors teach students that weight should be distributed evenly during setup. Other instructors believe that the golfer's weight should be shifted slightly to either the front or back foot. The contradicting information could be confusing, particularly for inexperienced golfers. So, should a golfer's weight be front at address?

In a golf swing, placing your weight forward indicates that rather than a 50-50 weight distribution at address, you have at least 55 percent of the weight on the front foot. This Stack and Tilt technique is believed to have helped golfers, including professional athletes, to reach their greatest potential in the game. Although 90 percent of a golfer's weight must be on the front foot during contact, many still struggle with leaning too far back on their back leg. As a result, power is reduced and contact is uneven. It is simpler to shift the rest of the weight at impact if you start with putting your weight forward.

Tips When You’re Struggling To Transfer Weight in the Golf Swing

The most basic approach to generating power in your swing is by hitting the golf swing with the proper weight transfer. Transferring your weight properly allows your body to turn further, resulting in the additional distance in your swing. This also adds to generating power. If you can shift all of your weight to your back foot, you will naturally reach the end of your backswing. You could start the downswing when you have reached the maximum backswing position that your body permits. With your weight on the back foot, you will feel as though all of your strength is wound up and ready to unfold. This will occur naturally as long as your weight transfers to your front foot on the downswing.

If you're having trouble transferring weight in your golf swing, try these tips:

At the address, distribute your weight evenly.

At address, equal weight distribution between each foot is a great place to start. It is also critical to maintaining appropriate foot balance from the toes to the heel. Perhaps a bit extra weight on the toes, but just a 60-40 split. If your weight distribution is off, it will be tough to move your weight laterally as needed during the swing.

During the backswing, put your weight on your back foot.

As you release the club, your weight shifts to your back foot. You should now have 70-80 percent of your weight on your back foot at the top of your backswing.

During the transition, transfer the weight to the lower body.

As you return to the top of the backswing, the initial action for weight transfer is with the lower body, followed by the upper body gradually. On impact, you fire your hips to enable you to execute proper weight transfer and maximize power. When you're getting ready to swing, make sure your hips are square to the ball. Your hips should have rotated to be open and face the target upon impact. The belt buckle facing the target is an excellent analog for this swing technique.

During the follow-through, transfer the weight to the front foot.

Almost all of your weight must now be on your front foot at the peak of the follow-through. Only your toes should be contacting the ground on your back foot at this stage. If you do this naturally, it typically suggests your weight transfer has been rather excellent throughout the swing.

If you want to get better at golf, you need to learn how to shift your weight properly during the golf swing. Concentrating on mastering the weight will help you enhance your golf swing skills and your golf game.

Brad Carey

Brad Carey

An avid golfer, brad loves a round of 18 on a Sunday. After getting involved in the technical side of golf, he thought he'd share his insights with others.

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