The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Irons: Compress the BallImpact Position Irons Expert / Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Sleeve in front of the hip at impact: Marchildon

Does the club shaft move toward your navel at impact? Charles Marchildon, a PGA of Canada professional, offers advice for intermediate and advanced golfers: he describes the body and club positions at impact, then suggests an exercise using a long shaft held in front of the hip.

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

To be continued

8 minSame problemShaft Lean at Impact: Brake to ReleasePadraig Harrington · Intermediate / Expert7 minSame problemStop Hitting Your Irons Fat: Water in the Left EarChris Ryan · Intermediate5 minFrom the same proLeft arm bent during the backswing: Charles MarchildonCharles Marchildon · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

According to Charles Marchildon, intermediate and advanced golfers need to understand the conditions of their body and club at impact. A good golfer has all his weight on his left leg, his hips turned, and, most importantly, his hands in front of the ball, which tilts the shaft toward the target. The ball is then compressed into the ground, maximizing distance. By tilting the shaft forward, you change the club angle: this is what experts call reduce loft at impact. In slow motion, Tiger Woods holds his hands in front of the ball.

All too often, on the contrary, the stem curves back toward the navel at the moment of striking. His exercise: swinging a long handle, based on the idea he repeats to his students, “the handle in front of the hip”, to maintain arm extension and the desired angle at impact. Without a sleeve, you can hold the club below the rubber grip and do the same exercise in the air, making sure the tip of the club stays in front of your hip. You'll then understand how the body moves through the swing and the arms follow.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Use a long shaft, or hold your club below the rubber grip.
  2. Do some jumps in the air, without a ball.
  3. At impact, make sure the tip of the club is in front of your hip.
  4. Keep your weight on your left leg and your hips turned.
  5. Keep your arms extended throughout the crossing.
  6. Swing the club as usual and hit the ball with the same feel.

Key Takeaways

At impact: weight on the left leg, hips turned, hands in front of the ball.
A shaft angled toward the target reduces loft and compresses the ball.
Common defect: the stalk that curves back toward the navel.
Key point: The club shaft should be in front of the hip at impact.
The body moves forward, and the arms follow.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Let the shaft snap back toward your navel upon impact.
  • Make contact with the ball with your hands behind it.
  • Keep your weight on your back leg.
  • Strike with your arms without moving your body forward.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Long-sleeved tops that end just above the hip
  2. Club held in a grip, same exercise in the air
  3. A few shots with a focus on hand feel

Your Questions

What is the correct position at impact?

According to Charles Marchildon, the weight on the left leg, the rotated hips, and—most importantly—the hands in front of the ball, which tilts the shaft toward the target.

What does it mean to reduce loft at impact?

By tilting the shaft forward, you change the club's angle. The ball is compressed into the ground, which maximizes distance.

How can I do the exercise without a long handle?

Hold your club just below the rubber grip and do the same exercise in the air, making sure the tip of the club stays in front of your hip.

What level is this video intended for?

It is designed for intermediate and advanced golfers who need to understand the conditions of their body and club at the moment of impact.

Learn More

All “Irons - Compressing the Ball” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Impact Position” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Body Position at Impact: Two Simple AdjustmentsSix key points for impact, boiled down to two adjustments made at address: weight on the left leg and hips turned toward the target, with two exercises. Shaft Lean at Impact: Brake to ReleaseThe “lean” of the clubhead is not a position to imitate: you "pull the handbrake" at impact so that the clubhead accelerates, rather than pushing with your hands. Check Your Low Point at Home: Four StepsLow point after the ball: Set up for impact (hips and hands forward, body open) in front of a towel, then extend in four steps. 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.

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros