Irons · Drill
Impact Doesn't Look Like Address
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Many golfers think impact should look like setup. It doesn't. At impact you're pushing against the ground. Your hips are more open. You've moved into your lead side. The shaft leans forward. Learn that position first, in front of a mirror. Then make small swings from setup straight to impact. Another idea: start in your impact position, swing back from there, and try to return to exactly that spot.
The drill
- Compare address and impact in a mirror.
- At impact, push the ground, open the hips, lean the shaft.
- Make small swings from setup to impact.
- Start at impact, swing back and return.
- Add a ball once it feels natural.
Why it works
At address your weight is even and the shaft is fairly upright. At impact your weight has moved onto your lead side, your hips have turned open, and the handle is ahead of the clubhead. This position brings the low point of the swing forward of the ball, so the club strikes the ball first and then the turf. If you try to return to the address position instead, the low point sits behind the ball and you hit it thin.
Common mistakes
- You copy your address position at impact, with weight centered and the handle level with the ball.Check the mirror and move your weight and handle toward the target until the shaft leans forward.
- You lean forward by sliding only your upper body and keep your hips square.Turn your belt buckle toward the target as you press into your lead foot.
- You flip your wrists to bring the clubhead past your hands.Keep the handle ahead of the clubhead through the small swing and stop when the club is just past the ball position.
How you'll know it's working
- In the mirror, your impact position shows a forward-leaning shaft, open hips, and most of your weight on your lead foot.
- With a ball, you make contact on the ball first and the divot starts just in front of it.
- You can swing back from the impact position and return to the same spot several times in a row.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Stay in front of the mirror and hold the impact position for a few seconds before you add any movement.
Harder: Make the drill with a longer swing and a ball, and check that you still return to the same impact position.
Common questions
Why does impact look different from address in golf?
Your body is moving toward the target at impact, so your weight shifts forward, your hips open, and the handle moves ahead of the clubhead. Address is a static setup, and impact is a position reached during motion.
How do I stop hitting the ball thin with my irons?
Thin shots often come from the low point being behind the ball. Practice getting your weight onto your lead side and leaning the shaft forward at impact so the club reaches the ground after the ball.
