Weight Transfer and Timing

[leftsider]

In my case, what feels normal and what is effective doesn't always go hand in hand. For instance, it feels normal for me to forcefully transfer my weight (and hips) toward the target in my downswing. I know that this causes me to slide forward leaving my hands in an impossible position for solid contact. As a result, an open clubface has allowed me to meet a lot of nice people (in the other fairway). I have tried to keep my weight transfer minimal, even tried not consciously transferring weight at all. A strong grip helps, but it is only a band aid on a wounded swing. Are there any suggestions or comments on a hip action that is better suited for a dancefloor than a golf course? I am trying to be the best that I can be, but my golf knowledge is challenged.

[dlaville]

Re: Weight Transfer and Timing

In my case, what feels normal and what is effective doesn't always go hand in hand. For instance, it feels normal for me to forcefully transfer my weight (and hips) toward the target in my downswing.

Sounds like you have your head too far back. Your head should be centered between your feet so you can have an equal weight shift in both directions. If your head gets too far back towards your rear foot it will be easier to shift your weight back but more difficult to shift forward because you're keeping your mass behind center.

Garbage advice leads to more garbage advice to compensate for it. Golfers are told to play short irons and wedges in the center of their stance and keep their head behind the ball. All this does is cause the golfer to position his head over his rear foot trying to keep it behind the ball. It's a struggle to get their weight forward. This is why you see so many golfers hitting off their back foot. They're doomed before they even take the club back.

Research done by Dr. Ralph Mann on 100+ touring pros showed they all played the ball well forward in their stance and the ball only changed position 3 ball widths (or 3.5 inches) from driver to wedge. One of the reasons he determined was biomechanically it was conducive to a foward weight shift. With the ball that forward your head can he positioned centered in your stance and still be behind the ball. With a centered head you can shift your weight equally back and forth and you won't have to force it forward.