The Beginning Golfer - Shift Forward

Here we are in the middle of the fairway. We have struck a good tee ball. Now comes the moment of truth. We need to hit a solid, crisp iron for our approach shot. Our beginning golfer needs to get his mind and swing together. This is a different swing than our swing with the driver.

There are several swing components to consider. To hit that iron correctly, we need to commit to a V shaped swing. We will hit down on the ball and clip the shot sharply. To help accentuate this move, we should control our backswing a bit. Instead of taking the hands to 12 o'clock, let's hold firm at ten o'clock. At ten o'clock the beginning golfer must be careful not to hold the weight back on the right side. Begin the downswing rotating the lower body and moving that weight to our left hip. Many professional players think this is the most significant part of the iron swing. The beginning golfers need to get the weight to the left side early to generate the downswing. There is one drill to emphasize this move at the practice range.

When beginning the downswing, the beginning golfer can intentionally shift the eye focus from the ball down the target line. The weight will definitely transfer to the left side with that simple eye shift. The player will notice that the head may seem ahead of the club, but what the player will also notice is that the weight transfer is ahead of the club. That proper weight transfer will pave the way for a crisp downward strike and vertical follow through. This is a drill. The beginning golfer should try the concept and feel the weight move ahead of the club. The shift will be noticeable right away and so will the increased distance.