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Impact Position All clubs Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 4 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Body Position at Impact: Two Simple Adjustments

Six key points to remember for impact is a lot. Charles Marchildon, a CPGA professional who coaches competitive players, boils them down to two adjustments made from a solid stance: weight transfer and hip rotation. Two exercises can help you master them.

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Charles Marchildon
Charles Marchildon · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

7 minSame problemCheck Your Low Point at Home: Four StepsChris Ryan · Beginner / Intermediate8 minNext Level UpShaft Lean at Impact: Brake to ReleasePadraig Harrington · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proSleeve in front of the hip at impact: MarchildonCharles Marchildon · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

The players Charles Marchildon coaches need to know the key points of the hit: about 80% of the weight on the left leg, with your head behind the ball, your hips turned toward the target, your shoulders parallel to the line of play, your right arm slightly below or level with your left arm, and your hands slightly in front of or level with the ball. The list goes on. He suggests a simpler approach: start with a good stance and do nothing more than two adjustments: weight shift and hip rotation.

With a short iron, the hands start slightly in front of the ball and return to that position at impact. With a driver, the club, hands, and arm form a straight line at address, which is maintained at impact. Viewed from the side, The shoulders and arms don't move during these two adjustments. Two exercises: stand against a support (a golf bag, a pole, or a doorframe at home) and repeat the two adjustments without using force with your hands; then, with the ball in your hands, get a feel for them a few times before swinging.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Find a good place to eat.
  2. Shift your weight to your left leg.
  3. Turn your hips toward the target without moving your shoulders or arms.
  4. Place the club against a support (bag, pole, doorframe) and repeat both adjustments without pushing with your hands.
  5. On the ball, get back into your stance at address and focus on the sensation of “weight shifted, hips rotated” several times.
  6. Then swing, trying to recapture those two sensations at impact.

Key Takeaways

Key points for impact: About 80% of your weight on the left side, with your head behind the ball.
Hips facing the target, shoulders parallel to the line of play.
It all comes down to two adjustments at the address: shifting your weight and rotating your hips.
Short iron: Hands slightly ahead of the ball at address and at impact.
Driver: The club-hands-arms line at address is maintained at impact.
Keep your shoulders and arms still during both adjustments.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Trying to think about all six reference points at the same time.
  • Push with your hands and arms against the support during the exercise.
  • Move your shoulders while rotating your hips.
  • Keep your weight on your right leg at impact.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. At home: attach it to a door frame or a piece of furniture; two settings
  2. At the driving range: club vs. golf bag
  3. Two or three practice swings before each pitch
  4. Short iron, then driver

Your Questions

What percentage of your body weight should be on your left leg at impact?

Charles Marchildon estimates about 80% on the left leg for a right-handed person.

Should your hands be in front of the ball at impact?

Slightly ahead of or level with the ball. With a short iron, they start slightly ahead of the ball at address and return to that position. With the driver, the straight line connecting the club, hands, and arms at address is maintained.

Can you do this exercise at home?

Yes. It uses a doorframe or a piece of furniture as support. The important thing is not to push with your hands: this is an exercise in body awareness.

Learn More

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

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

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