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Impact Position Irons Intermediate ⏱ 4 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Impact Position with Irons: The Trail Wrist Secret

Hands forward, square stance, lots of lag: why is this so hard to copy? According to Clay Ballard, it’s because you’re more athletic than you think: your right side wants to take control. Three right-arm movements to achieve the pros’ impact position.

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Clay Ballard
Clay Ballard · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

8 minSame problemShaft Lean at Impact: Brake to ReleasePadraig Harrington · Intermediate / Expert15 minSame problemCover the ball to compress it: Athletic Motion GolfAthletic Motion Golf · Intermediate / Expert7 minFrom the same proSnap Hook, the Real Cause: Clay BallardClay Ballard · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Clay Ballard explains that good athletes naturally seek out positions of strength with their dominant arm. For a right-hander, the right shoulder dives toward the ball At the top of the swing, the forearm makes an arm-wrestling motion: the club shoots forward too steeply, flying over the ball. So you need to feel a motion that seems “weak.” Raise your right arm alone, then, at the start of the downswing, Pull your right shoulder toward your armpit and turn your right palm toward the sky. Your elbow will fall into place on its own, and the club will come down flat, with lag.

But that's not enough: the clubface is then wide open, and the ball flies far to the right. The key: instead of facing the sky with your palm, Turn the knuckles on the back of your right hand toward your elbow. Your right wrist bends backward, the clubface closes slightly, and you’re locked into a pro-level impact position. All that’s left is to rotate to generate a lot of forward shaft tilt and a compressed ball.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Swing up to the top of the swing using only your right arm.
  2. First step of the downswing: pull your right shoulder toward your armpit.
  3. Turn your right palm toward the sky and feel your elbow realign.
  4. Then bend the knuckles on the back of your right hand toward your elbow, with your wrist bent backward.
  5. From this position, simply turn your body toward the target.
  6. Bring both hands back together and tap the irons, performing the three movements in sequence.

Key Takeaways

The dominant arm seeks positions of strength that ruin the downswing.
A diving right shoulder and an arm-wrestling move: the club takes the lead.
Pull your right shoulder toward your armpit as you begin to lower yourself.
Right palm facing upward: club held more horizontally, elbow repositioned.
That single move alone opens up the court: the ball goes to the right.
The joints of the right hand are turned toward the elbow: the palm is closed, and the arm is bent forward.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Let your right shoulder drop toward the ball as you begin your downswing.
  • Do an arm-wrestling move with your right forearm.
  • To look for a lag, hold your palm facing upward: open face, ball on the right.
  • Trying to force the elbow back into place when it's moving back into place on its own.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Slow-motion downs with just the right arm
  2. Sequence: shoulder pulled in, palm, then knuckles toward the elbow
  3. Turn your body without moving your hands
  4. A few medium irons while working on my compression

Your Questions

What does “pull your right shoulder toward your armpit” mean?

At the start of the downswing, the right shoulder tucks in toward the body instead of reaching toward the ball. Clay Ballard describes this as the first movement, before any hand action.

Why does my ball go to the right when I'm trying to create lag?

Because when the right palm faces upward, the mouth remains wide open. Clay Ballard adds a third movement—turning the knuckles toward the elbow—to close it.

Should you consciously tuck in your right elbow?

No. He explains that he doesn't need to worry about it: with the palm facing upward, the elbow falls into place on its own.

I'm left-handed: How can I adapt?

Just reverse it: whatever applies to the right arm applies to the left arm.

Learn More

All “Impact Position” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Clay BallardAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Clay Ballard). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros