If you enjoy following players on the PGA Tour, you have seen many different styles of golf swings. From the flat swing of Lee Trevino to the "loopy" swing of Jim Furyk to the "athletic" swing of Tiger Woods, all three of these styles have been successful. How can all of these contrasting golf swings provide such great results? The one thing they all have in common is in their impact position: the club handle is in FRONT of the ball at impact.
Remember: the golf ball doesn't know or care who you are. The golf ball does not care what you do in your backswing, nor does it care how good you look at the finish position. The only thing the ball cares about is what happens at impact: that split-second moment when the clubface touches the ball.
If you were to look at still photos of PGA Tour golf swings at impact, you would see the handle of the golf club is slightly ahead (left) of the ball. This is the way the golf club was designed to be used. If the handle of the golf club is forward at impact with the back of the left hand flat, you will be promoting so many good things. The number one benefit is hitting the sweet spot more often. This also promotes striking the golf ball at the bottom of the swing arc thus creating more power or leverage. This will also promote a downward motion into the golf ball creating a more proper divot after the ball and more backspin. Finally, it will keep the club face more square through impact therefore improving your accuracy.
If your handle is behind the ball at impact, it creates a lifting effect which is essentially taking the job away from that expensive golf club you are holding. It's the club's job to make the ball go up in the air, not our job to "lift" the ball or swing up on it.
So, how do you apply this to your golf swing? The first thing you need to do is resemble this impact position at address. Regardless of the ball position or what club you are using (except for the putter) the handle of the club should start just inside the left thigh. This puts the handle of the club in FRONT of the ball (for right handed players) with the exception of the driver because the ball position is left in your stance. Now, your objective is to return to that angle at impact. A great practice technique is to hit "half" shots and then working your way up to a full swing again.
Immitate what you see the pros doing, practice this position, create this powerful angle at impact and watch your ball contact become more consistent!
by: Jamey Lewis, PGA
Jamey is a PGA Member and has taught hundreds of private and group lessons for over 17 years. As an instructor with "America's Favorite Golf Schools" and the Director for the Sedona School of Golf, Jamey also published monthly golf tips in the Sedona Red Rock News. To schedule a lesson with Jamey, contact the golf shop at (928) 684-2011 or email: jameylewis@pga.com.
