The weight shift in the golf swing is a largely misunderstood concept. After all, how is one supposed to keep their head still, shift weight and stay behind the golf ball all during a swing that takes less than a second and a half to complete?
Fortunately, this online golf lesson article and the subsequent video golf lesson at the end will clear up all the mystery behind the proper weight shift in the golf swing.
It all starts with setup. Obviously the golfer is bowed forward with the chest somewhat over the ball, buttocks stuck out behind the heels counterbalancing the forward leaning chest. Weight is distributed evenly left and right and sits through the middle of the arches on the feet. In addition, the upper torso is leaning away from the target because the trailing hand and arm sit lower down the handle of the golf club. So to put it simply, bow forward and lean right if you are a right-handed golfer. Also notice your head will be behind the ball.
Golf Swing Weight Shift in Backswing
Luke Donald - Backswing Pivot Head & Chest Over Rt. Foot
Now it gets tricky. If you try to “shift” weight to the right in the backswing, you will likely slide your hips over to the right while trying to keep your head still. Your core will have moved out from under your head, and your upper body will be tilted the wrong way – back toward the target. The spine angle has literally reversed itself.
You see, the term “shift” is all wrong for the backswing. “Pivot” is a better term. The right hip will pivot back like sitting back in a chair and then around – actually coiling back toward the target slightly, not drifting sideways to the right. The right foot will stay braced on the instep, and the leg will remain leaning inward like a ball player braced to push off for a throw.
This pivot motion with the hips also involves coiling the trunk around the spine – this is not the same as turning around a still head. If you coil correctly around your spine, which was bowed forward and to the right at address, your chest and head will naturally flow to the right.
Remember your spine is located along the rear of your trunk so your chest, head and eyes are located out in front of the spine. Spine stays still and turns while sending head, chest and eyes to the right. This moves the weight of your chest and head over your right foot and creates the correct golf swing weight shift sensation in the backswing.
This lateral movement of the head is minimal, probably 1”- 3” for most golfers, nevertheless there is movement. Bottom line, do not attempt to keep your head perfectly still while sliding your weight to the right. You will get a reverse spine tilt in the backswing that sends your downswing over the top and casting, or you will overcorrect the spine tilt back to the right in the downswing so hard you throw the club in the ground.
Golf Swing Weight Shift in Downswing
Luke Donald - Golf Swing Weight Shift to Impact Belt Buckle Past Ball
With the backswing pivot clarified, what do we do with weight shift on the downswing? It’s pretty simple actually. From the correct backswing position with the upper torso leaning away from target, all the player has to do is shift (yes, now it’s time to shift) the left knee and hip targetward as the downswing begins … actually both knees shift targetward.
This first move in the downswing is lateral, not circular or rotary, often cited as “clearing the hips.” Imagine leaving your back facing the target as your hips shift toward target. The hip clearing will gradually kick in a moment later as the arms lower to the waist-high area and the majority of weight has arrived on the front foot. At impact the golfer’s belt buckle will have shifted well left of the golf ball and will have begun turning left. The hands will also preferably be past the ball on all shots but the driver.
There you have it. Coil or pivot in the backswing, keeping the hips in a barrel as the old golf instruction cliché states. Be willing to allow the upper body to tilt to the right as the head likely drifts slightly to the right in backswing. Then blow out the left side of that barrel as the hips shift first, then clear on the downswing. The armswing will benefit by easily getting back well inside the ball in the backswing, then dropping in the slot on the downswing. No more over the top downswings or falling back off balance in the finish.
So what do you think? Are you willing to pivot the hips and let your head drift back in the backswing to develop a better weight shift and more repeatable downswing path with more power?
Watch the video golf lesson below, then try it out and leave your comments at the bottom of the page. Don’t forget to share this with your friends.
Herman
{ 110 comments… read them below or add one }
Just found and watched your weight shift video on line . Thought it was very well made and informative . In simple terms you explained and demonstrated the moves in the correct sequence I need to work on . Wanted to say thanks and I will work on it the right way finally . After watching the video I realized I have been working a long time on the wrong things . Thanks again
Being large chested (and with a belly from time to time), I’ve been experimenting a bit lately with turning back around an imaginary spine 2-3 inches forward of the real one and another location even closer to the sternum
I tend to stay in balance (and keep from throwing weight out onto my toes) when I do that.
My results are that I find it easier to slice /fade a driver using my real spine. And I find it easier to hit draws with the “imaginary” spine especially if I imagine it to be just inside of my sternum.
Additionally, turning around my real spine allows lots of my “forward of the real spine” weight to pull me out over my toes creating shanks and off centers.
Best part is that I’m not losing balance. I follow Hogan’s idea of “forward-aft” set-up balance being between the ball and heel.
-Be able to wiggle the toes is what I think he said.
The other Hogan concept is turning back into a “braced” right leg meaning when you stop the turning back motion, you fall back to the left side. Sort of like being on two shoulder crutches and if I raise one, I fall in that direction because the other one is out to the side in a braced fashion …….as it normally is.
I’m new to your site and think it’s very, very, very good!
I’m especially getting a lot from what the right arm does and related info.
Excellent description … similar to “stack and tilt” info and very useful for your situation. I’d keep doing it. By staying more or less left of the ball you more naturally create an “inside” path to the ball that will also compress it.
Herman,
So glad I found your videos just as I have been starting to work on weight shift (after 20 years of being clueless). I have been finding it difficult keeping my hands still at the top of the backswing while making the lateral shaft to the left. The timing just seems awkward. I found that it is more comfortable for me to start the lateral shift BEFORE the end of the backswing (ie when the hands and arms are not quite at the top yet) and then when I start the downswing, turning my shoulders and clearing the hips, the lateral weight shift has already occurred. Is that OK?
Please keep up the great work.
Not only OK but highly recommended. Find any video of Ben Hogan and you will see the same thing in his swing. Keep it up. – Herman
I loved this article and video and despite being work in progress have already seen a great improvement in my balance and have stopped falling off my drives as much. I just struggle to keep it going throughout the round and as described in your article I hit the club into the ground well behind the ball when I get it wrong; but I have this on my favourites and just keep practicing dry swings in the front room. Thank you
Thanks Chris.
Hello Herman,
I am a senior who just started playing five years ago at age 63. Hit my five iron 160 yards and my typical score is mid 90′s if that helps you understand my current capabilities. Recently, in order to have a pre-downswing trigger to starting my weight shift to left side (with the near squatting feeling that you described), I have started raising my left heel slightly on the backswing – it creates a feeling of unweighting my left side. To start my downswing, I pull the trigger by dropping my heel to the ground. That action seems to start the squatting feeling and the overall process of shifting my weight to the left, and I just allow the rest of my body to follow along. The move seems to work well for me, but I wonder if it will lead to new problems. When I first started doing this I found that I began to let my right hip sway to the right, but I have stopped that evil by widening my stance (I was a narrow stance guy) and letting my right leg slant as you have recommended and by applying more pressure on my instep at the same time. Your thoughts?
Thank you very much for your excellent instruction tips and videos!
Joe
Sounds perfect. Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson did pretty well lifting the left heel and then shifting by slamming it down. Keep it going. – Herman
Herman, nice comments about the golfswing. Especially the part about starting out in a good address position which is one huge key. You can never go from a poor start position to a good top of backswing position. As far as “pivot”, at what point exactly does one start the pivot. What should a golfer anticipate feeling to know that it is time to “pivot”? Thanks for your response.
Some golfers want the pivot to begin immediately with right hip and right shoulder blade coiling back instantly. Others will feel better letting the armswing start back until the left arm crosses the chest (hands near right thigh) and forces the chest to start turning. Both types can work equally well.
Hey Herm, Stopped at the range yesterday to meet a friend and show off my new swing and was a little embarrassed as in my excitement to hit the ball well and long, I started reverting back to my old swing “fast and over the top”
I was hooking and shanking the ball “every which way but straight. When I realized that I was not bumping the left side and and being passive with my hands on the downswing I tried to correct it but was unable to stop doing it.
Kind’a like eating Pizza late at night “you know you shouldn’t but you just cant help yourself so you eat it anyway” Any advice on how to get the wheels back on after they fall off? I checked my basics and am quite sure I have it right till I start downswing, that’s when it all turns to s#%&. again the feeling I’m having is hurry-up
and “hit the ball’ with my hands from the top and my shoulders spinning around instead of up and around.
I like starting back with smaller swings at roughly waist-high that feel like mostly hands and arms. Then move up to 3/4 swings still mostly an armswing. Finally go all the way up and see if your timing has reset. I like to hit at least a dozen balls (4 shots in a row followed by brief pause) at each level before moving up.
Once I’m fully turned and set into the top of my back swing, my back is facing the target, and with my hip turn, my buttocks is partially facing the target as well. When people talk about shifting the pelvis laterally prior to the downswing, I think this causes me to shift my pelvis actually toward the ball since to me, that is a lateral shift when I’m set at the top of my back swing. Any advice on shifting the hips in the right direction and what that should feel like? I have also heard people say that on the down swing you should turn your body over your left hip, however, at the top of the back swing, the left hip is forward and the right hip is posterior….this is just the normal kinematics of the golf swing. So, should i actually feel as though my butt is pushing toward the target on the “shift” and then pushing my left hip backward in order to “clear” my hips ???
Your last sentence nailed it. Back into the target as if pushing your left butt cheek targetward, then let the left hip clear “backward.” Weight will end up mostly on the outside of left heel area at the end of the swing.
Hi Herman,
We actually touched on this before but I am still having trouble. I’m a low handicap and have a problem sliding ahead of the ball on the downswing. When I try not to slide, it always seems to pull my right shoulder out and over the top. How can I prevent sliding and keep my shoulder from coming over the top? Thanks for all your help.
Check this first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xi2BPgyfZ0
Hi ,Herman
Cud u telp me how much shift is enough before we clear the hips for long iron(4&5).I tend to have a tail fade on this long iron.Is it because the shift is not far enough.Tks.Ronald
That’s probably going to be different for each person. The sequence is the most important part. Be sure to shift before any dramatic clearing takes place. If I had to give a pinpointed answer, you want to shift enough to get the outside of your left hip (assuming right-handed golfer) past the outside of your left foot. The hands should have fallen to waist height during the shift and then hip clearing will be ok as it won’t sling the hands too far outside at that late stage in the swing.
After 35 years of swinging the club every which way but right , thanks to you and your great sharing of info and swing thoughts I finally quit hitting marsh mellows all over the course. Its kind of funny when you get the right instruction and you apply yourself to the task of change, all the things that you heard about but could never understand start to make sense.
I played with a friend the other day on a championship coarse that I have embarrassed myself on many times and shot 16 over and was thrilled. Thanks again for your help and will always be a fan and a student of yours.
Richard … it sounds like you’ve been Hermanized! Glad to hear it. It’s never too late and thanks for stopping by to let us know.
Herman
Herman: When I Try To Turn My Hips “Level” In The Backswing, I Top The Ball. When I Turn My Left Shoulder Down Steeply & My Right Hip Up & To The Inside To Start The Backswing, I Take Nice Divots. Any Ideas? I’m 6’10″ & Have A Tendency To Stand Up In The Backswing. Thanks!
I don’t mind a swing that is very rotary with minimal side-to-side movement but i think most amateurs over-do stack and tilt and get in trouble. I like the one-plane aspects of bowing over and making a centralized turn but don’t want to fall in love with leaning on the left side unless it just appears the player naturally can’t do anything else. At 61 it’s not so easy to get out of that leaning position and thrust up thru the left side to get in proper impact position. But I have to admit if you found a way to make nice divots and you can repeat it, it may be just fine. I could only comment further if I was on the tee with you. Good luck. – Herman
Herman: Hit A Few Good Shots, Today, But Main Problem Is Swaying At Start Of The Backswing. I’m Trying To Simplify Everything & Key On Keeping My Weight On The Inside Edge Of My Right Foot On The Backswing & Pushing Off The Inside Of My Right Foot As The First Move In The Downswing. I Also Try To Turn My Right Hip As “Inside The Barrel” As Possible As The First Move In My Backswing. Am I On The Right Track? I Also Hit Practice Balls With A Ball Under My Right Heel & Really Strike The Ball Well Then. Thanks!
Yes … your description sounds perfect.
Thanks, Herman! Just Finished 3 Holes At My Home Course & Concentrated On Turning My Left Shoulder “Down” Toward My Left Foot To Start My Backswing & Pushing Off The Instep Of My R Foot To Start My Downswing. Hit Every Shot, Including A Short Pitch, Crisp & Shot Even Par For The Three Holes. Your Swing Keys Are Awesome, Herman!
Still Hitting A Few Pulls, Herman. Is It OK To Let The Right Hip Turn Inside At The Start Of The Swing? Should It Turn Level Or Upward? I’m 61 Years Old & Not Very Flexible. Thanks!
Sure let it turn early and try to make it feel like a fairly level turn. that will help you get the arms and shoulders deeper back behind you to prevent any over-the-top tendencies. If you are still pulling after this, look at grip and possible casting in downswing. You may be on the right swing path but unhinging the wrists too soon coming down which closes the face before you get to the ball.
Hi Herman,thanks for that video lesson.I was hitting the ball high with a cut and getting no distance.Im a 7 handicap and totally lost my way with my swing.Due to your video I feel more confident over the ball.Slanj.
Hi Herman,
I am a week before the Qualifyingschool for the European Seniortour. Till today I was still coming over the top. After watching your videos its gone.
You are a very good teacher for a ME and I like to come and see you one day.
After I have picked up my tourcard ofcourse
Thank you for the effort in making all this info and sharing it with us.
A colleague
Thanks Rob … good luck out there. – Herman
Herman , excellent explanation as usual . I am a low handicapper , but am terribly inconsistent .I try to employ your fundamentals and have pretty good positions at the top of the backswing . However , I battle over the top pull hooks . I think my shoulders are spinning out to the left ( I’m right handed) too soon and taking my head with them so that I am no longer staying behind the ball at impact.One solution I’m toying with is the swing thought of moving my head backwards as I approach impact the way Nicklaus did . Is that a viable fix ? I respect your expertise and would appreciate your feedback . Thanks .
Hey Don. First off thanks for following my work and endorsing it’s effectiveness. You are right on track with your thoughts here. Head movement forward or rotationally in forward swing is death. Generally you can afford to do the opposite until you feel like the problem is fixed. In addition you may want to keep your “eyeline” tilted intentionally so that your eyeline is angled on an inside/out path. It feels like looking back over your right ankle on downswing. I hope that makes since in print. Maybe I’ll get it in a video sometime to demonstrate. The bottomline is, we tend to swing where our eyes go. Good luck.
Herman
Herman…….been awhile since i’ve browsed your site. Trying to get my mind clear on a few things in my swing. Your description of the turn and shift is outstanding to say the least. I do have a question…….what are the arms doing in the backswing? How does one keep them from swinging too flat….. maybe I have missed this in other tips or video.
Thanks……
Mark…..the Hermanator
The big decision is likely whether you want to let your arms follow your chest around or whether you want the arms to swing upward above the pec muscle.
If you are prone to an armswing you think is too flat, then you might try simply bowing over more at address and making a steeper shoulder turn. This is the “one plane” model like you see in Matt Kuchar.
If that option does not feel like it will work, then focus on the sensation that the right shoulder and hip turn back behind you while you send your arms straight back and up on a line that feels like it is right along your toe line. This will be the “two-plane” option … shoulders around, arms up.
Can Your Shoulders Turn “Too Steeply” On The Backswing, Herman? What Are The Effects Of A Very Steep Vs. A Very Flat Shoulder Turn? Nick Faldo Says To Turn The Shoulders In A Fairly Flat Arc & Steve Elkington Says To Turn The Left Shoulder Very Steeply Down & Outwards Toward The Left Foot On The Backswing. I’m Confused. Thanks!
They’re both right depending on your starting posture and the uprightness of your armswing. If your shoulder turn is flat, then the armswing must be upright and vice versa.
A One Plane Swing, Though, Should Have Both Shoulders & Arms Turning On The Same Steep Or Flat Plane, Correct?
Herman, thanks for the help with the instructions on you tube. Change is hard but worth it. I sure wish I had ran into you years ago before starting down the road to “overthetopdom”. I heard Johnny Miller say that if you don’t learn to hit down and trap the ball you will always be a duffer. Kind of blunt but to the point. If you get a chance anything you can add to that starting bump,pivot, thing to start the swing would be greatly appreciated. It feels really strange
to let the club fall into the slot after a life time of starting with the hands at the top. Thanks again
I disagree. If you “shift” your weight you will end up with your weight on the outside of your left heel. You must “rotate” your hip toward the left while the weight transfers to the “left heel”. If you carefully look at 95% of the pros, their weight get to their left heel to the point where their toes are off the ground. Look at Nicklause, Palmer, Woods, Greg Norman, just to name a few.
Thanks for the comment Rick. I think we’re in agreement about where things end up, but my contention is it has to be a blend of shifting and clearing, basically an elliptical movement. The left hip will be rotating the whole time a player is making a downswing, but I don’t usually want them focused on it unless they are highly skilled. I’ll even agree that Tour players will think mostly about clearing versus shifting, but I don’t think they are in my audience here. In your comment you mention rotating “the hip toward the left” which might really mean its moving left and turning. If so I’m okay with that. My article and video have more to do with what the first move in the downswing should look and feel like for the average amateur. It’s critical to get that transition to downswing motion started properly … the rest will often fall into place.
However, the amateurs I see on a daily basis have a hard time when they focus on clearing or rotating the hips as the primary move. They generally will sit back on the back foot, spin out with very little weight ever making it to the front foot, while cutting across the ball with the armswing. I think if you study it closely and honestly start a downswing with only hip rotation, you will see the left hip actually moves backwards away from the target. Because we are on two legs you will see a finish that looks more like baseball players with the front leg locked out and leaning back with the front foot likely spinning out as the weight stays centered between the feet or even toward the back foot. It’s difficult to hit irons this way because you stay too far behind the ball to pinch down on it.
To get to the left heel with toes curled as you pointed out, there has to be some forward shift. Palmer did not have much but also had the most unconventional finish of the players you mentioned … the other 3 have noticeable lateral shift with the legs in their downswings.
Thanks for stopping by and offering your observations; I’m sure our readers will benefit from the discussion.
Herman
i have been doing what you say and hit a lot of good shots with more power, but occasionally top it with the driver………why do you think this happens
Likely the arms are shortening in the impact zone and/or throwing the clubhead early causing the club to bottom out before impact with an upward approach that catches the ball on the bottom of the face.
Herman,
I am 6’3″, 300 lbs. Does the weight shift still apply even if I am only using a 3/4 back swing?
JLD
Yes, it still applies. It may be less pronounced for shorter swings, but it is still necessary to get your core left of the golf ball to create a descending strike into the ball with a divot in front.
all the videos, especially weight shift have made a tremendous change in swing results. Longest drive so far 237 may not be much to some of you, but I an a 5′ 100 lb. female who is 66 years old. thanks I’m thrilled to have been Hermanized
Jana, that’s awesome. There will be plenty of guys on here who want to hit it 237. Keep it going.
Herman
Wow! I’ve been struggling with the hosel out to in shank and an open club face shank for years and this has been like a lightbulb suddenly lighting up putting this into practice. I thought mostly due to moving towards the ball in my downswing and swinging from my shoulders! Ive played of 15 for years and quite often the wretched shanks appear from no-where. What’s worked for me is – A combination of your explanation of the correct pivot ,not lifting my left heel in the swing and getting the right hand to kind of push down so i attack from inside, something you mention in another video ensure i get on the correct inside plane . I’ve pulled a few and toed a few which ive never done but the compression and feel I get is absolutely amazing . I now realise before I was lifting left heel, shifting in the up swing and throwing the club and trying keep the right hand passive and concentrate on turning the left side through, what I was finding was that I would drift towards the ball, straighten up through the downswing . All wrong but I could never figure out that for me the pivot and right hand to get on plane has been a revelation, thanks so much. Lawrence 36 , UK
Great job, Lawrence. Glad you got it figured out.
Herman
Hi Herman,
Love your website and your whole philosophy on the golf swing and I understand everything you say except for one critical part of the swing. Once you have backed into the left side and your right elbow has dropped down in front of your rib with a tremendous amount of lag do you
a) Just unleash the right arm with the correct 3 way uncocking and pronation pulling your hips through the swing to the finish
or
b) Unwind your hips and let them pull the arms through
or
c) Is it a marriage of both where they both work together at the same time.
Eager to know your thoughts
Cheers Graham from Australia
Sorry Graham. I missed this earlier and caught it well after you posted. It’s “c” a marriage of those moves. Fire those hips and fire those arms. Once you’ve made that drop to the waist-high area you can send everything. Thanks for your patience and good luck.
Herman
I was able to hit some balls today at the range and record my swing from the side. One thing I’m doing really well now is “pushing my hips” forward to start my swing.
One thing I’m doing terribly is keeping my setup spine angle. At the top of my swing I have the dreaded reverse spine angle you mention. Your explanation is great but I can’t seem to make my muscles do what you are explaining.
Any other tips or drills to maintain that spine angle and keep my head/weight over the right foot?
Good morning Herman,
Wanted to let you know your web site is great. Been looking for a simple explaination of the weight shift and dropping the club in the slot during the swing for years. Have just made the changes in my swing and hit the irons much better but still coming over the top or swinging from the outside with the driver. Any suggestion or drill would be appreciated!
Thank you in advance.
Best to you!
Mike
Thanks so much for these great easy to understand video’s…
i went and played today, and using your technique, I hit more pure shots then I have ever hit.. I know I should’ve hit some balls first, but i did 2 days of slow motion practicing, to get the feel of it…took some smooth practice swings to feel it before the ball strike and it was so nice.. Thanks again!!! I didn’t DUCK hook a single shot, and thats been killing me lately.. I also noticed that i was able to swing much harder when i wanted too with out being out of sinc and off balance…..Thank you so much!!!!
Thanks, Glenn. Keep it going.
Hi Herman,
I wrote you several times how much your videos have completely change my game. But now i’m getting bad hip pain in right hip…I now use the flat wrist and really get my trunk over my right foot in back swing. Have you ever had people get hip pain from changing swings? Its becoming debilitating?
thx
ken
Not exactly the way you describe it, but anytime you create new movement patterns you’re probably going to stretch, strain, wake-up some things you have not been using. It can sometimes be overuse as players begin increasing the practice volume while making changes. I’m not a doctor but I’d recommend getting it checked out. Don’t want to alarm you but, I’ve seen people discover tumors, worn out joints and all sorts of other malady’s that were hidden or just flared up out of nowhere in situations like this. Hope you get it figured out. – Herman
Herman,
Thanks for all these great videos. At 55 and after an injury related hiatus from golf I am on a quest to learn how to hit down on a golf ball. I have always been a scooper, but haven’t known how to fix it. I have been working on moving the bottom of my swing forward and one fault I have discovered is a poor weight shift. This video and it’s explanation of the lateral bump to start the downswing was a revelation for me. Starting the downswing with the hips clearing was creating an over the top move for me. However even when incorporation this move into my downswing I am still having trouble getting enough weight on my front side. I finish the swing up on my right toe, but I still feel like a lot of weight is resting on that side. Any tips/swing thoughts/drills you can suggest for this issue?
Thanks in advance.
If these moves are fairly new for you, then you are probably still clearing more than you realize. Try to keep your left butt cheek pointed at target as you “back into” the target. Do this in slow motion a few times while keeping your chest looking away from target and pumping your arms straight down to “stab” your right thigh with the butt of the club. Also make sure your right instep is really glued to the ground in backswing so you can push off that instep laterally at start of downswing. Then step up and play a shot. Keep repeating ’til you get it. Good luck. – Herman
Hi Herman
2 comments
1. on the backswing I find that if I sway laterally a little while turning the hip and upper body it is a lot more comfortable and natural than just rotating around the hip. If on the downswing I can move the body back laterally and at the same time turn do I still loose some distance.
2. on the downswing I do start with the lateral movement you talk about while clearing the hip and turning the body. I think I dip the whole body an inch or two in the process before rising and ending completely on the left leg.
You combine 1 and 2 and it is like dancing…waltz.
Your comment or advice is greatly appreciated. I hit a pretty straight ball but am looking for ways and means to increase distance. My drive is about 240 yds but I think I should be able to do 270 with better technique. Thanks
Paul
Paul, I think your description is okay. It is definitely a blend of shift and turn, particularly on downswing. Unless you really have a ton of side-to-side movement, this should not be hurting your distance.
Thanks Herman. Any tips on how to increase my driver distance. Cheers Paul
Besides getting stronger, faster and more flexible, have you gone through my 3-part article and video series on “how to get more distance.” If not start here: http://www.hermanwilliamsgolf.com/how-to-get-lag-speed-power-distance-golf/
Enjoy.
Exceptional video. Your comment about the electric fence was exactly the analogy I needed to stop the falling back that has been killing me. Video’d myself my iPad and saw how this was such a problem for me. Also noticed I was rolling my right foot to the right on the backswing which was a great “tell” for me. Being out of position on top made everything else futile. Now that I’m in proper position and doing the later al bump/squat, everything else is working!
Marc, that’s great news. Glad my videos were a help. Thanks for following my work and for commenting here on the blog. – Herman
Been working on the lateral move towards target before clearing the hips. At first it felt really awkward and impossible. But after just doing it for a week or so i’m killing it. There is so much more power with the shift to left first as arm drops into slot, then when you turn your hips the power is amazing!
Ken
Hi Herman,
I am still working on the video lesson you gave me, a lifetime of early release is hard to change, but getting there slowly, (now 5 good shots out of 10 instead of 1 or 2). The bump move works for me with a push off my braced right leg, but how dynamic should this move be, is it a relatively slow move followed by clearing and releasing, or is it quite a dynamic move in itself. My bad shots feel like I have no room to release the club so I wonder if i am too deliberate with the bump i am overdoing it and throwing my timing out. I will get back to you with a video after i have worked this out. Thanks great instruction.
Hey Jim,
The bump move is not too dynamic, or else as you say, it will throw off timing and may tilt your spine rapidly away from target. Try to feel a slight squat as if pressing the feet into the ground as both knees and ankles roll targetward to coincide with the hip bump. This will also keep your right hip from spinning into the path of your arms and blocking your attempt to tuck right elbow. You are momentarily trying to get lower with this move. Sometimes an abrupt hip bump with nothing else moving will cause the left side to climb up too rapidly and open up anyway which may cause more casting. Stay closed and squat/shift to give the arms time to “lag down the wall.” Then unload everything from the waist-high position prior to impact. Good luck. – Herman
Hi herman,
I am still working on a video lesson from you, a lifetime of early release is hard to change! but I am slowly getting there, (now 5 good shots out of 10 instead of 1 or 2).
The bumb move is the key for me with a push of my brright foot
Hey Herman,
Been a while since I jumped in here and still working on your lessons. One question. At the apex of the back swing, is your right knee fully extended and locked or slightly bent?
Slightly bent.
Herman, Your descriptions of the correct moves and sensations are excellent.. I am continuing to work on all of the critical moves… my biggest challenge is that my upper torso moves targetward (left) at the top of my swing (overswinging). This has been very difficult for me to correct – will try your tip on keeping “outer” pressure on the shaft going back. Tried it out in slo-mo and it keeps the left arm very straight and discourages overswing.. Will try it tonight.
Herman,
I love your videos and also Masters videos w/ commentary. I have a problem with my swing, it seems as if I do bump the hips and shift but at impact or right after my left foot seems to come off the ground and I know this wouldn’t happen if a majority of my weight was on it. What do you reccomend to combat this flaw? An instructor told me that I should focus on the knees, the front one moving back and rear moving towards the target.
Casey, your assessment is likely correct that you don’t have enough weight moving to that foot. Sometimes a really fast hip turn will pull the foot back up. Try working a little more on a lateral shift of the knees, not so much having the left knee snap back, but having it move targetward.
This is one of the things something I’ve struggled with since I started golf (other than a strong grip). I’ve tried to incorporate the “bump” into my down-swing and just find it throws off my timing. Is it just a case of doing half swings with lofted club and build up to the longer irons? I have heard that you feel the weight roll to the outside of your left foot or the Ben Hogan analogy where your left butt cheek reconnects with a imaginary pain of glass behind you which gives you room for your arms to fall into the slot.
Any drills that would work?
Really liked your video on weight shift, especially re the downswing. I have a tendency, at times, to hook the ball, much of which is caused by not getting back to my front foot. Like the idea of keeping my back to the target and making a small “bump” left, before turning the hips and completing the swing. Reminds me of the swing of Lorena Ochoa. Anxious to get to the range and try this out. Many thanks.
Tony
Your videos are the best teaching aids I’ve seen. They have made an immediate positive difference to my ball striking. Keep up the good work Herman and hope to see more from you soon.
I would like to be sure I understand what u said about starting the down swing, “once u get to the top u keep your back to the target while u complete your lateral shift or bump and then turn your hips”.
Thanks you
Ken
Yes … unless you have the flexibility of a Tour Player, most golfers will see the shoulders and arms start going out over the top if they start a downswing by trying to clear the hips first. You need that momentary bump with your back to the target to give the arms time to drop in the slot.
Weight transfer has always been a problem for me despite the fact that I am a advanced golfer, because I have watched so many different videos on it and was confused on what to do and how to do it. By watching your video I now konw what to do and it all makes sense to me so i would just like to thank you very much for the help and advice.
Sam
Thanks, Sam. Glad we could help. – herman
very sensible approach, definitley worthy of viewing, would take lessons from Herman
I am a collegiate golfer and have taken countless lessons for 10 years and I have searched the internet all over to find someone who teaches the same fundamentals I was taught and I have finally found the person. Everything about this video is what I focus in my golf swing. So many people think the hips start the downswing but the downswing is started by the right side pushing forward and transitioning the weight to the left side before the body rotates. The arms will follow the body and keep the club on plane throughout the entire swing. I love your philosophy Herman.
Thanks, Paul. Your statement was well-crafted. I agree and especially when dealing with amateur players who may be less physically gifted or talented than a competitive player like yourself.
Herman, what a great set of videos/ tips. You have managed to clarify some of the mysteries of this great game in a very uncomplicated and clear fashion. Your discussion on the lateral shift has helped me a lot. Now all I need to do is convince my good wife that I need to spend more time at the course.
Cheers
Neil.
Thanks Neil … glad you’ve been Hermanized. Good luck getting more time on the course.
Herman
Great video….I am a 10 handicap but in video taping my swing I have a tendency to “dive” into the ball on my trasition instead of moving laterally. This “dive” may be the reason in also “chicken wing” my left arm to stay somewhat on plane. Moving more laterally on transition may keep my arms back and drop them more on the inside and cure the “dive” & “chicken wing”. Your thoughts?
You have the right idea here. Generally the diving move you refer to also includes tilting your upper body and head toward the target. The shift we discuss in this article and video keep the spine tilted away from target just as it was at address. This makes it easier to get in the slot on plane, maintain lag and then extend through the shot at impact as your left side posts up and clears. Thanks for following and commenting. Good luck in your training. – Herman
I think I have watched all of your videos now and really appreciate your help. This video seems to be the most helpful, but no matter how hard I try the latteral move, i feel like my club seems to fly over the top at the bottom of my swing, resulting in pulls or blocks and all of my shots hitting towards the heel of my club. Help please.
Louis, thanks for watching and commenting. This is tough to diagnose without seeing what you’re doing. If we can assume you get the lateral shift and the arm drop, then it sounds like your hands may be the culprit. My shanking video covers some details about how the wrists can incorrectly scoop outwards and cause a heel shot and some of these perplexing flight patterns. If your shots are a little higher than average, it’s a good bet this is happening. My prescription would be the “lateral shift” with simultaneous arm drop so right elbow gets down into right hip followed by turning the back of the left hand down. When you turn the hand down there must also be some “ulnar deviation” or “downward uncocking” in the wrist. See my last Youtube video series on distance and it covers some of this also. Get it here: http://www.hermanwilliamsgolf.com/impact-finish-golf-swing-distance/
Good luck. – Herman
Hi Herman
First time I have looked at your site….wow, I am impressed. You talk my kind of language….being downunder (Australia)
I have always had issues with reverse pivot particularly on drives. This video explains a lot and hopefully I wont end up on the back foot again.
Need to practice but what u say makes sense.
Thanks a lot
Hey Mate
Glad you found my site. We get a lot of traffic from Australia. I hope you find it helpful to your game … stay in touch. – Herman
Should you keep you left foot flat on the ground or lift the heel on the backswing to achieve the proper pivot?
Keep it down IF you are flexible enough to get a tension free 90 degree backswing turn in the shoulders without lifting left foot. Otherwise allow the backswing turn to pull the heel up as necessary. I like the left heel planted just because it is less complicated for most people to transition into downswing. Most golfers I’ve taught who lift it don’t normally replant the left heel quickly enough coming down and often replant it in a new location which leads to spinning out of the shot and coming over the top. Thanks for commenting and good luck with your game. – Herman
Thanks for your reply. I think you offer great instruction and am glad to have found your site.
Hello, Mr Williams I live in Costa Rica, and thanks to you, my handicap low in 10!!! You have a natural way of explaining the golf “issues” better than any other professional, again thank you very much
Thanks … I want to come see you sometime to go surfing.
Hi Herman,
Highly enjoyed watching all of your videos. You have a natural way of explaining the golf swing. Your videos have helped me gain a true detailed understanding of the golf swing. Something that I have been searching for the last 20 years.
I have gained 20 yards off my shots. For a 14 handicap, this is exciting!
Thank you!
20 yards extra … nice work! Thanks for the compliment and for commenting, reading the articles and watching the videos.
Herman
Great video Herman. This helps clear up what a good swing should look like.
Wonderful job of explaining the true way to shift your weight. Thanks
Herm, does this mean that posting up as fast as I can is a mistake? Should the arms come down first or should I try and maintain my back to the target before coming down
Posting up fast is fine as long as it includes the lateral component of the move – the left hip is shifted targetward then it gets up and back out of the way. Arms drop as lateral bump is underway – your back is to target momentarily as this happens. The more flexible you are the more you can get away with pure hip clearing and “posting up” since you will naturally be able to keep your chest closed as hips clear. Most golfers aren’t flexible enough to do that. Great questions … thanks.
Thank you Herman. It comports with your lessons. I need to put the time in to develop the right habits.
Great video Herman. I used to have a tendency to slide to my back foot rather than pivoting, so this is a great reminder.
Thanks For All Your Help, Herman . What Do You Think About Stack & Tilt Method? Seems To Work On Wedges For Me, But I Hit Pop Ups With My Driver & Get Too Steep With My Fairway Wood & Longer Irons. I Tend To Stand Up On My Backswing, So Turning Left Shoulder Straight Down To Start The Backswing Helps, But Then I Think I Get Too Steep. If I Try To Turn My Hips & Left Shoulder More Level On The Backswing, I Top The Ball. Any Advice?
Yes, that’s correct.
Thanks For The Resonse, Herman! For A 16 Handicap Like Me, Would A One Plane Or 2 Plane Be Better? I Have Limited Flexibility, 61 Years Old & Very Tall (6’10″) Thanks! BTW, Played Yesterday & Concentrated On Pulling The Butt End Of The Club Toward “First Base” To Start The Downswing & Hit The Ball Great! Thanks So Much For All Your Help!
The one plane style is superior in terms of geometry and physics on a 6’10″ frame, assuming your back can tolerate bending over significantly and making the pivot. At your height, you can bend over enough to aim your chest at the ball and put your shoulder plane almost directly inline with the ball as you pivot. Just keep the armswing along your shoulder line and it should be an easy swing to keep on-plane with the ball.
Thanks! No Back Pain, So I’ll Try That Approach. Thanks, Again, Herman!
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