Golf Swing Impact Position Photo - Golf Tips

Shoulders, Hips, Right Elbow and Head Position for Inside Impact

Sep 17, 2009

Photo of Pro Golfer Impact Position, John Hoskison

Study a photo of the impact position of a pro golfers swing to move the shoulders, hips legs and arms in correct sequence on the downswing to hit the ball on the inside.

The golf backswing is very important, the better the position at the top of the swing the more chance a golfer has of making a consistent downswing. However, achieving a good position at the top is not the only way of hitting good shots.

If a golfer can understand what is required to hit the ball well at impact it is possible to get back to the ball correctly even if the backswing isn’t perfect. Study the pictures below and compare it with a photo of your own swing to understand the correct position of the shoulders, right elbow and head at impact.

The Shoulders at Impact

The most important aspect of a good impact position is that the shoulders point to where the golfer wants to start the ball. It is the shoulders that are responsible for the swing path on the downswing.

If the shoulders spin open from the top, the club travels onto the outside and will result in a slice. With a slice the shoulders are pointing left of target at impact. Conversely if the right shoulder dips on the downswing the arms approach impact too far from the inside.

Without using a club, practice the different impact position of closed shoulders, square shoulders and open shoulders to build a repertoire of different shoulder positions. The more you practice these positions the easier it is to swing the shoulders down correctly.

The Hips and Legs at Impact

At impact the hips should be pointing left of target. The correct sequence of the downswing is that the hips start, the shoulders follow, the arms are pulled down and the hands release. If the hips lead they should be pointing left at impact. If the hips lead the weight will automatically shift onto the left side at impact.

The Right Elbow on the Downswing

Throughout the golf swing the right elbow should point to the right hip where it pointed at address. This is called a connected swing where the arms work in harmony with the upper body. But even if the position at the top of the backswing is not correct, by concentrating on trying to return the right elbow to it’s original position the club will have the best chance of coming into impact on the right line and from the inside

Head Position at Impact

The head acts as an anchor at impact. If it moves forward towards the target there would be nothing to stop the shoulders from opening too much and the golfer would either miss the shot to the left or slice. The head must remain at the same angle it was in at address. In many top golfers the head actually moves back slightly as the club comes into impact to guarantee not coming over the top.

Practice the impact position and given time the body will start to find a way to swing down into the position automatically.

The copyright of the article Golf Swing Impact Position Photo - Golf Tips in How to Play Golf is owned by John Hoskison. Permission to republish Golf Swing Impact Position Photo - Golf Tips in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.