Understanding the appropriate impact position in the golf swing is essential to making solid, crisp contact. Maintaining the proper position at impact will help the player compress the golf ball into the ground, thus creating a backspin and an accurate, penetrating ball flight.
Here are a few steps to consider when attempting to reach the proper impact position in the golf swing.
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Body Weight is Transferred Forward at Impact
A critical aspect one should consider when reaching the proper golf impact position is the player’s weight distribution throughout the swing.
At impact, the player’s hips will be rotated enough, so his or her belt buckle is facing the target and leaning towards the player’s front leg.
Weight distribution should be roughly 85 percent on the player’s front leg until the balance is achieved by the golfer.
Power is Transferred from the Core to Arms and Shoulders
As the golfer’s hips and core turn during the backswing, power is stored in the large muscles of the abdomen and back. This power is then uncoiled during the downswing and into the impact position.
At this moment, power is transferred from the core to the player’s large muscles in their shoulders and arms. The power transfer is completed after impact and leads to a long, full follow-through to a straight finish.
Hands Are Ahead of the Golf Ball
To properly compress the golf ball and create the necessary backspin and penetrating ball flight, the player’s hands must be ahead of the ball at the moment of impact.
The typical golf club loft is designed so that the clubface is slightly higher in the loft at the address than actually needed to get the ball airborne. As the player’s hands are moving through impact ahead of the ball, the clubface will be “de-lofted” slightly, thus adding to the penetrating ball flight.
A divot is Created after the Ball Has Been Hit.
To determine if the proper impact has occurred in a golf shot, a player can check the divot he or she creates in the turf during the shot.
Since the player will be hitting down on the ball with hands forward, the golf ball is actually contacted by the clubface just before the club digs into the grass to create a divot.
The steps needed to create this “ball-first” contact include the above forward hands, full power transfer, and weight on the front leg of the golfer.
Numerous drills are available online that a player can view in order to achieve the proper impact position during the golf swing. For more information on how to achieve the proper club and wrist angle to hit down on the ball, speak to a licensed PGA teaching professional.
