Golf Impact Position Face On

Sorry, you need to be a member to access this video.
You Are Just Seconds Away - Become a member here!
Already a member? Log in now

After all your hard work on the backswing, it's time for the big payoff! Getting into the proper impact alignments is the final step to hitting the best golf shots of your life and this video tells all from the face on view, even which muscles to use!

  • Everything in the golf swing - setup, takeaway, reps and drills - is designed to create the ideal impact
  • Coming down, stack the left hip socket over the left ankle to create a safe position to pivot
  • The left shoulder is over the left ankle (or slightly outside) and the spine feels very vertical
  • The head is also in neutral - left ear on the back of the ball
  • Contract the glutes at impact for stability
  • The right foot bears little weight, but is still anchored to the ground
  • Drill with a mirror, video camera & impact bag
  • The RotaryConnect helps maintain width down into impact


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the proper impact position in golf?

At the end of the day, the most important thing in golf is impact. Everything that we do going back, doing drills on the backswing, getting the takeaway right, the grip right, the setup right - all of that has everything to do with just getting impact right, to make sure that when we strike this ball, everything is in perfect alignment.

How can I improve my impact position in golf?

Because impact is one of the points in the golf swing where there is a tremendous amount of force, the proper alignment of the joints is critical, especially for protecting the elbow from injury.

In order to align the joints properly, there is a specific sequence of movements and sequence of muscular contractions that you MUST be aware of and be able to execute to ensure a safe and powerful impact position.

What should impact position look like?

·      Coming down, stack the left hip socket over the left ankle to create a safe position to pivot

·      The left shoulder is over the left ankle (or slightly outside) and the spine feels very vertical

·      The head is also in neutral - left ear on the back of the ball

·      Contract the glutes at impact for stability

·      The right foot bears little weight, but is still anchored to the ground

What should golf swing feel like at impact?

As we come into impact, what we want to feel is that our hips are very square in relationship to the target line, so they would be parallel - if you put a club across your upper thighs here - basically parallel to the target line.  You want to come into impact and literally squeeze your glutes so that you have a lot of stability and support to release the golf club at the bottom

Must be Premium Member to Comment

64x64
Sharon
This is very helpful. Thank you
August 22, 2023
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Sharon. Glad you are enjoying the presentation.
August 22, 2023
64x64
Sharon
In my video face on, when I shift my weight, I seem to lunge forward with weight over the lead leg, with hip rotation. I get shaft lean but often hit it left. How do I get my hands leading and not lunge forward but stay in the box?
August 22, 2023
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Sharon. I would work on the sequencing of the DEAD 1-3 Drills. Sounds like something is amiss in how you are pulling the weight over to the lead side.
August 22, 2023
64x64
Robert
Hi there, when I was working on this I occasionally start hitting hooks or pull hooks. Any suggestions? Thanks!
July 22, 2020
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Robert. The release must be passive. Sounds like you were actively rotating the face too much. Take a look at Flip vs Release and Moving the Fulcrum Video.
July 22, 2020
64x64
Robert
Thanks!
July 22, 2020
64x64
Todd
Craig, I am routinely spinning out with my chest and leaving the club behind at impact a bit leaving me with a lot of blocks. Swing analysis seems to corroborate this. Squaring or keeping the shoulders square at impact is a bear for me! I seem to remember a video addressing the chest "looking" at the ball but can't find it. Can you point me in the right direction for that or best ones for discussing this?
May 16, 2020
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Todd. Tons of videos with that concept. Here are a few of my favorites. How Swing Speed Affects Compression, Keep the Rear Shoulder Back, and Play the Best Golf of Your Like in 6 Weeks Video 4 of 6.
May 16, 2020
64x64
Michelle
Forgive me for I have sinned. I watched this video out of sequence. However there was a reason for it and as I have a question regarding impact. For years my left wrist at impact is in a reverse C position as the right hand takes over flipping the club as a result of early release and no lag. The way I see it is that this problem will not fix itself no matter how good my takeaway backswing and downswing are as my brain has been trained over a long period of time to have my hands in this horrible position at impact and it will do everything in its power to make sure those hands are where it thinks they have to be to make contact with the ball. That habit will not be broken without lots of repetition repetition repetition. So why isn't the golfswing taught backwards. Learn how to be in a good impact position and then build the swing backwards. So start with very small chips in good impact position building out to pitch shots 9 to 3 swings 10 to 2 swings and finally full swings. Cheers Michelle
August 18, 2019
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michelle. I teach the clinics the exact same way. But, not everyone struggles with the same issue. Most players have poor body movements which leads them to having a poor hand position at impact. However, working from small to big as you suggested is another way at going about fixing the swing.
August 19, 2019
64x64
Gary
Under the impact position drill Chuck speaks of the "one planer" vs the "two planer". Help me understand please. What is he talking about? Thanks,
February 24, 2019
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. Chuck is referring to 2 different types of swing planes. Some players use two different planes in their swing to reach impact. Typically, above plane and then dropping it under. We prefer just staying on a single plane, but with elevation so you don't have to manipulate the club head throughout the swing and into impact.
February 24, 2019
64x64
Sharon
There’s a golf teaching company that trademarked “Single Plane” to refer to Moe Norman. So instructors are now using the terms “One Plane” or “On Plane” (to avoid lawsuits) to refer to returning the club on the same line from the takeaway to impact position.
August 21, 2023
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Sharon. Thanks for the information. I haven't heard about that.
August 22, 2023
64x64
Gary
Is there a video that discusses this topic? That would be helpful. Thanks.
February 25, 2019
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Gary. Too my knowledge, there isn’t one. However, I will look in the archives and see if we have any. I will report back if I find one.
February 25, 2019
64x64
Gary
Many thanks. Greatly appreciated.
February 25, 2019
64x64
Patrick
A general comment. Can you recommend a preferred combination of software, tripod, and ipad holder for capturing my swings. I understand some software is able be "on" for long periods of time, but edit the videos to capture only the swing. For example, would you recommend Swing Profile as a good software program?
August 11, 2018
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Patrick. Most of our students use V1 Sports, or HUDL Technique. There are a lot of different tripods and holsters out there. I don't have a perfect recommendation for you. However, maybe one of our members will provide a good option for you. I haven't use Swing Profile, so probably not the best too judge.
August 11, 2018
64x64
T David
Looking at Chucks comments about the right foot... I have been trying to keep the right foot pretty quiet to avoid any push from the right and focus on the pull from the left. Am I missing something about this right foot?
April 5, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. The trail foot is very quiet. Doesn't sound like you are missing anything. In very rare cases when a player cannot use their hips in the golf swing. We would allow a little push to help with rotation. But, the vast majority need to turn it off.
April 5, 2017
64x64
T David
Watching a couple of these videos, I noticed that Chuck says not to use the arms in the downswing, which I understand. Then, at Impact we use he left arm through the impact area. I am not confused as to when and how the left arm gets engaged. Any insights?
March 20, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dave. The lead lat will help pull the arms in front and the lead wrist/forearm will be doing the releasing. But, you don't need an active yank or quick pull of solely the arm to reach the impact area.
March 20, 2017
64x64
Lee
Hi, having trouble opening the videos. Are there any issues with the system?
February 4, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Lee. If you are using a APPLE Product. The latest update is playing havoc on our site. We are working quickly to correct the issue.
February 4, 2017
64x64
JONATHAN
I should have added...there used to be a "straighten the left leg" video, but i cant seem to find it
February 2, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jonathan. The Straight Left Leg Video is currently being re-filmed and updated.
February 2, 2017
64x64
JONATHAN
My instructor wants me to work on posting up on the left leg and recommended this video. Is there another video that goes into that aspect in more detail? I have questions about the timing and when the left leg should straighten.
February 2, 2017
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jonathan. Take a look at Step 2 - Core Rotation and You Hit the Golf Ball with Your Legs Video.
February 2, 2017
64x64
Yuefeng
Also, I saw the head level of the pros tend to get noticeably lower during the downswing through impact even when their leading lag has started to straighten up through impact. I wonder how do they achieve this power position and why this would not cause a fat shot?
December 6, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Yuefeng. The hands being a little further ahead and a shallow path keep them from the fat shot. They lower a touch to help engage the glutes to pull more leverage from the ground.
December 6, 2016
64x64
Yuefeng
Thank you Craig for clarifying. I assume this lower head position can be attributed to the squat motion during weight shift? Could you also clarify the timing of post up - i.e. at what stage of downswing do the squat motion turn to posting up motion? And what puzzled me most is that I see the pros even during post-up their head level never got any higher - how could this happen (I thought at least the leg straightening up from a bent/squat position will make the head higher)? Thanks a lot.
December 6, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Yuefeng. Yes, the head typically lowers during the squat in the downswing. After squat to square is when you will post up. Take a look at the You Hit the Golf Ball With Your Legs Video. The posting up and back actually lowers the spine angle through the shot.
December 6, 2016
64x64
Yuefeng
As for the negative attack angle concept, I'm quite confused on two points: assuming everything else of the swing stays the same, if I change the two things below at ADDRESS, does it help or not help with the downward blow at impact? And Why? 1) press hands a bit more towards the target to create some forward shaft lean, 2) move the ball a little back in the stance. Thanks!
December 5, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Yuefeng. Typically, more shaft lean and the ball being moved further back will make the angle of attack more negative. However, you don't want to have too much of a negative angle because you will not see the benefits in the ball flight.
December 6, 2016
64x64
Yuefeng
Thanks Craig. Curious what's the downside of too much negative angle? Will it reduce distance?
December 6, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Yuefeng. Yes, too much down angle will reduce distance for normal golfer swing speeds. Also, the ability to control ball flight.
December 6, 2016
64x64
David
On say a 60 metre shot is this still the same technique? I feel that i might overdo it and become a hip slider rather than a spinner.
November 1, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello David. Should the impact alignment be the same? You are still looking to be stacked on a shorter shot.
November 2, 2016
64x64
Caleb
Is the right elbow completely straight at impact?
October 25, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Caleb. The right arm will not be completely straight until after impact.
October 25, 2016
64x64
James
Is the left knee about pointing straight out at impact?
August 2, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. It will be pointed away from you. Not perfectly straight out, but pretty close.
August 2, 2016
64x64
James
Thanks. Will right knee at impact be pointing away as well and more so than the left knee as the right foot rolls towards the target?
August 2, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. The trail knee will be pointed out as well and just a tad more directly out than the lead knee.
August 2, 2016
64x64
Chris
@ Chris Tyler... Chris how about this drill... While in front of a mirror, I start in NJA at impact, that is, with my hips turned open 35 degrees, shoulders square and left leg being fully posted... then from there, I go backwards, that is, I return to the top of my backswing and then back down again to impact and NJA. What do you think about this drill?
July 19, 2016
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
I think that is a very good idea and a great way to work on getting yourself into a perfect impact position from the top of the swing.
July 19, 2016
64x64
James
Are the forearms aligned at impact as well?
July 12, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello James. The trail arm will be slightly under the lead arm.
July 12, 2016
64x64
Cullen
So do you want to think of your hips as being square at impact? And what about the straightening of the left leg?
May 26, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Cullen. At impact the hips will be 35-45 degrees open. Some players that over use their hips may feel them staying square when practicing. The lead leg will straighten into impact with proper posting up. Perfecting Lower Body Stability Video or Straighten Left Leg Video.
May 27, 2016
64x64
Dan
In order to align my lead shoulder, lead hip, lead knee and ankle at impact I feel like my upper body has to move more laterally than my lower body. Is it true that the upper body should move more laterally than the lower body in the golf swing (especially on the down swing)? Thx
May 22, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dan. The upper body won't move as much laterally as you might think due to the unwinding of the shoulders. Take a look at the Level Shoulders Drill, LADD Video and the Fixing Your Weight Transfer to help out.
May 24, 2016
64x64
Rob
I find that if I do not transfer my weight enough to my left side, my left shoulder tends to hang back and does not get fully stacked. When I focus on a proper weight transfer, things look good and stacked. My question is...does not fully transitioning my weight to my left side cause this "hanging back" of my left shoulder? Rob
May 17, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rob. Not fully transferring the weight and trying to keep the head back or too still coming down will cause the issue you describe. Take a look at Fixing Your Weight Transfer.
May 17, 2016
64x64
Hunter
In the Marine Corps we call the line down the front of a dress shirt and the line down the fly of the trousers the "Gig Line". Google defines it as, a military term that refers to the alignment of the seam of the uniform shirt, belt buckle, and uniform trouser fly-seam. In order to be properly dressed, these three should align to form a straight line down the front of a person's body.
April 24, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Hunter. Hmm. That's neat. Thanks for sharing with us. A lot of our members here (myself including) definitely did not know that.
April 25, 2016
64x64
Loran
Then, the downswing is more lower body, like glutes and left inner thigh? Not so much body rotation or obliques, even?
February 7, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Loan. The obliques do have their role. But, especially when starting the downswing you are primarily using the glutes and inner thigh.
February 7, 2016
64x64
Johan
Are the shoulders square at impact? I have been observing tour pro's impact shoulder positions lately and found that most of them have significant axis tilt and 'open' shoulders at impact. I am wondering so I do not drill the wrong thing, I activate my right side/shoulders early on so I am working on keeping them closed.
January 19, 2016
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Johan. The shoulders will be square at impact. Some players use more body to release the club which causes them to be a little more open.
January 19, 2016
64x64
Johan
Perfect, thanks Craig!
January 20, 2016
64x64
Jim
would squeezing a ball between your lower thighs on the downswing replicate the rotary connect?
October 21, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Jim. The only problem with the ball is you might start pushing the trail leg to keep the ball glued to the inner part of the lead leg. The RotaryConnect would just follow.
October 21, 2015
64x64
Preston
I attended the Tour Championship last week. It wasn't my first PGA Tour tournament but had been a few years since I last seen these incredible ball strikers hit GOLF shots. One thing I noticed, obviously, was how crisp they hit their irons. I looked up on line where the club faces wears down. Professional's club face wear a lot lower on the club face than mine or my other college buddies iron's club face wears. Ours tend to be higher on the face (and of course not exactly in the center) Do you have any videos or thoughts on how to think about hitting the ball with that part of the club face, retaining compression, and doing this without hitting it thin? Specifically, developing a wear on the club face that is lower than what I currently have?
September 30, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Preston. We don't have a video dealing with particular wear patterns on the face. However, take a look at the Taking a Divot Video. The keys with downward blow, weight shift and shaft lean will help with a more consistent wear pattern.
October 1, 2015
64x64
Donald
After years of concentrating on hip turn and having poor results your videos have convinced me that too much hip turn is a death knoll to solid impact. However, I have found it very difficult to slow down the hips at impact and as they continue to turn this results in either thin hits or dead pulls left. Would engaging the gluts and, in many respects, having the feeling of standing up at impact be a good swing thought for me?
September 14, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Donal. Engaging the glutes would help, but I wouldn't try to stand up too much at impact. Work on the Belt Buckle Drill, Losing Your Tush Line Video, and the Squat to Square to help slow those hips up.
September 14, 2015
64x64
Stephen
Hi Craig, when I perform the 9 to 3 drill, I don't feel that I contract my left glute at impact. I also noticed from chucks swing when he goes through impact that his right foot is still on the ground. When I try and keep my right foot on the ground when I pull my oblique I feel contraction in my glute. Is this correct? Should I try and maintain my foot on the ground through impact? Thanks Stephen
August 15, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Stephen. If you shift properly the left glute will be engaged. You don't need to stress and feel this max load. Majority of weight on lead side and ready to pull leverage from the ground. Chuck's foot is getting pulled. It doesn't stay flat on the ground, but he is making sure he doesn't push too much. Rolling more on the instep. Don't try and make it too mechanical. I haven't seen a massive trail side push from the foot from you. I don't think you should try to keep it down.
August 15, 2015
64x64
Dan
I agree completely with everything in this video. In trying to get my left shoulder over my hip, knee and ankle at impact my head moves too much laterally toward the target. So to get my left shoulder properly aligned it tends to get my head out of alignment (left ear in front of the ball rather than behind it). How can I fix this? Thx
July 6, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dan. It sounds like a lower body issue. When you get the lead shoulder correct the body hasn't pulled enough out of the way to stabilize the lateral movement. Take a look at How the Lower Body Works in the Downswing Section and Swinging from the Ground Up in the Introduction Advanced Section. Make sure you are sequencing from the ground up and getting proper lead oblique pull for the hips.
July 6, 2015
64x64
Mike
Question related to the perfect forward shaft lean at impact and ball trajectory. The better my son (who we're doing RST for) gets his impact position, the lower his ball flight, which makes sense given that de-lofts the club. Yet watching and hearing about the ball flight of the pros, and seeing the tracers on so many shots in the US Open, we see a very high ball flight for most of the players. And I know every one of those players has excellent lag and solid impact position with hands ahead at impact. So I'm confused. How does someone like Rory, for example, hit the ball so high without creating that loft at impact?
June 20, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Mike. They de-loft it to some degree, but also create a lot of speed. The more speed the easier it is to create spin and a little higher ball flight. Once, you can master a good impact and understand the release well. You can start to tweak the ball flight. The courses the pros play they have to hit it high because everything is like concrete. Majority of the time you don't need that high a launch.
June 20, 2015
64x64
Mike
Ahh, that makes total sense, Craig. Thanks.
June 20, 2015
64x64
Boris (Certified RST Instructor)
Brandel Chamblee is analyzing Tiger's swing at this years US Open, and he keeps talking about how Tiger's hips are stalling at impact. I thought I understood what he was talking about because in my swing I suffered from what Craig Morrow called stalling of the hips; my hips were square at impact when they should have been 30-45 degrees open. Chamblee explained that Tiger's hips should be completely open (hip spinner action) with his right heel completely off the ground at impact. Chamblee is going to get somebody hurt, and that swing was partly responsible for Tiger's knee problems. He said that we should be able to see Tiger's entire rear end from the DTL view at impact. He even said that an example of the stalling was that we didn't see his rear end until after impact. He used that as an example of Tiger being out of sequence. SMH.
June 17, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Boris. There has been a long understanding that Chamblee truly doesn't understand kinetic sequence. This is what led to a lot of Tiger's knee issues and why the majority of golfers have to time a flip at impact. He needs to do more research.
June 18, 2015
64x64
Loran
I noticed when I try to keep my whole body square through the downswing, I hit the ground...what movement is missing here? What am I overdoing?
May 29, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
The hips need to open at impact. You are probably stalling out too soon. Make sure you get enough lead oblique pull to open the hips roughly 30 to 40 degrees at impact.
May 29, 2015
64x64
Robert
is the right arm straight at impact or just short of straight?
May 10, 2015
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Rob, We are going to have the right arm just slighly bent. The reasons being, if the right arm is already straight we have expended all the energy before impact and the arm is then done speeding up, but if we have the right arm bent before and slighly bent at and through impact that means the right arm is speeding up through the hitting area (impact) thus giving us maximum clubhead speed and more control. Steven
May 10, 2015
64x64
Terry
I know that I have the problem of pushing outside the left knee on the downswing. What drills can I do to limit that to NJA? This is difficult to eliminate since I've done it FOREVER! thx
February 19, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Terry. You need to find the culprit of why the left knee is pushing out. Hip spin, sway, excessive secondary tilt, etc.. The Level Shoulders Drill in the Advanced Downswing Section will help eliminate excessive secondary tilt and push. Also, the Sitting Into the Left Side Video in the Downswing Section will get you shifting properly.
February 19, 2015
64x64
Dennis
hi I have a problem on stacking at impact because i am bow legged and can't have hip ,knee and ankle in alignment because of bow legged. Hip and ankle look like they are in aligment but knee is out to left an inch or so but i still think that aligment is ok with hip and ankle.just wondering if many people have this potenial problem?
January 21, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Dennis. I apologize for the late reply. I haven't come across this all too often. However, strive to get as close as possible and try to keep the weight towards the inner part of the lead foot.
February 17, 2015
64x64
Michael
Is there a danger of setting into the left to far, I think I have been moving laterally more than is required.
January 6, 2015
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. You can push yourself to far beyond Neutral Joint Alignment. It will put undue stress on the body and inhibit a proper impact position. Use the Weight Shift Video Part 3 in the Weight Shift Section and Sitting Into the Left Side Video in the Downswing Section to make sure you aren't pushing yourself into the lead side too much.
January 7, 2015
64x64
Robert
As we pull with the left oblique is it ok to feel my shoulders "closed" the entire time, only becoming square to the ball at impact? It's a really foreign feeling considering I've been right sided for quite a while. Looking at tiger and others in slow motion they don't have square shoulders until impact. Is that right?
December 22, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Rob. Yes, you can feel the shoulders staying shut longer. They won't return to square until you start reaching impact.
December 23, 2014
64x64
Martin
Craig Im working on forward shaft lean at impact as you prescribed does this concept also apply to hybrids and woods or are those to be struck on an upward direction or are these different concepts altogether? Thx
December 16, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Martin. The majority of clubs will be struck with shaft lean and a downward blow. For the driver, you can change the setup to attain maximum launch angle. Take a look at the Driver Launch Angle Video in the Bomb Your Driver Series - Bonus Section.
December 16, 2014
64x64
Michael
Is the RotaryConnect not available at this time?
December 7, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello Michael. The Rotary Connect is currently out of stock. We will notify all of our members once is has been replenished.
December 8, 2014
64x64
joseph
The movement to impact position causes my head to move left also ... sometimes ahead of the ball. Help ...
November 23, 2014
64x64
Steven (Certified RST Instructor)
Joseph, When your head moves left or towards the target and gets in front of the ball is because we are pushing from the right on the downswing instead of pull with the left. As well as using to much upper body movement early on in the downswing. Really focus on moving the weight left first and then pull with the left arm down to impact. I would check out the drill to sequence the downswing in the advanced downswing section. Best of Luck Steven
November 23, 2014
64x64
John
hi - I am a newbie with one swing review and so I am not sure if it appropriate to put up a picture of my swing for comments, but here is a comparison of me and Chuck at impact. I see my left wrist is not straight, my right shoulder seems a bit high (I am still raising up a bit during downswing, working on that) and my right foot seems to be flat on the ground (working on that too). Anything else seem apparent? Any comments greatly appreciated. If this is an inappropriate post, please let me know. Thanks. http://hil-tec.com/images/golf/chuck-me-impact-11-14-14.jpg
November 15, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hello John. Without seeing the full swing in motion. There could be a few culprits leading to your particular position. However, I wouldn't worry too much about the shoulder tilt. The right foot will be rolling off the instep. Not completely flat on the ground. Use the Role of the Right Foot in the Advanced Downswing Section for more info. Also, use the 5 Minutes to the Perfect Release in the Downswing Section to help with impact. Practice proper impact and forward shaft lean. Work to control the lead wrist and arm more.
November 16, 2014
64x64
John
thanks Craig - will do!
November 17, 2014
64x64
ralph
Been with you guys for about four months now....thanks for your help. I tend to make contact on the heel often. Before I would hit anywhere on the club. So I guess this is an improvement how do I make contact in the sweet spot consistent I tried stepping away about an inch but it didn't work or only occasionally wored k thank you
November 1, 2014
64x64
R.J. (Certified RST Instructor)
Ralph, Are you slicing the ball when you hit it this way? If you are, it could be that your club head heel is leading into the impact zone, which opens the club face. If you're getting your club face square and it is mishitting off the heel, you could be standing up out of your shot a little bit. Leading with the heel - watch "Trace the Plane Line" Club face square on heel shot - watch "Losing the Tush Line" Without watching a video of your swing or more written information, this assistance is about as much as I can give you for now. Keep working! R.J.
November 2, 2014
64x64
Robert
My left knee is outside of hip/foot line. Is this OK?
October 7, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey Robert. I responded to you in the Move 3 Section.
October 7, 2014
64x64
Robert
As someone who hit right side dominate, I am used to feeling the compression and strike of the golf ball absorb through my right shoulder and right upper pec (like punching a bag). With proper impact alignments should I have the same deep feel but somewhere else? Maybe left shoulder? Thanks you guys are great
September 24, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Both arms have a job in the downswing. I don't want to tell you per se how you would feel comparatively to myself. Because it might be completely different. However, the trail arm will take the brunt of the force.
September 24, 2014
64x64
David
Ideally, what should the hip angle be at impact? Square (parallel) to the target line? Or will the hips already have rotated through, toward the target? If you look at the 2:50 mark in this video, the hips appear to be very open at impact. Would this be considered a "hip spinner?" http://www.rotaryswing.com/videos/tour-pros/mo-martin-woman-s-british-open-champion
July 20, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Mo is a little bit of a hip spinner. She loses some of her right glute engagement through impact. The hips will roughly be open 30-40 degrees from target at impact.
July 20, 2014
64x64
Greg
If the release point is at the left thigh, then the amount of shaft lean with each club is determined by ball placement. Shaft lean delofts the club meaning 4 irons, hybrids, fairway woods get to be pretty flat. With these clubs are we better off moving the ball slightly ahead of the placement for low and mid irons. I know that there always needs to be a slight shaft lean. What do you think?
May 23, 2014
64x64
Craig (Certified RST Instructor)
Preferably, we wouldn't want to change our ball position relative to what club we are using. If you are finding with your club selection that you need to hit the ball a little higher. Check out the Day 5: High Trajectory Shots Video in the Bonus Series 9 Days to Amazing Ball Striking Section. You may also look at the Bomb Your Driver Series Section Video Driver Launch Angle if your looking to maximize your yardage on drives.
May 23, 2014
64x64
Brawley
While practicing the weight shift in my swing I started to develop hip pain on both sides. I have never known about this weight shift in golf. Could that sign be my body telling me im not used of that movement?
May 10, 2014
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
You shouldn't be developing pain as you are working on the shift. You should be getting into positions where the pressure is taken off the hip joints. Make sure that you are not shifting past neutral joint alignment and I would also suggest that you get your swing in for review so that we can take a look and make sure that you are performing the moves correctly. Body preservation is our specialty so we need to make sure on the sooner side that you are doing each move perfect to ensure no injuries.
May 11, 2014
64x64
john
I definitely am starting to slide more as I work on a better weight shift. I am trying to feel the glute muscles engaged (I am very active and strong in this area). My hip juts out and puts pressure on my spine (it hurts in my lower back). I have been too active with lower body. Been a "hip slider" for decades. Very hard to overcome. Do you have anything I can work on to keep from sliding? I am not pushing off right foot. I am "rolling" my feet, like Nicklaus taught. Very frustrating. And I have used the "rotary connect" to no avail. I go back to bad habits. It's killing the spirit for the game. I am a low single digit handicapper. But that's going up FAST this season. I hook, lose distance, etc.
May 7, 2014
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Hey John, the best thing you can do at this point is making sure you are sitting into the left side properly (thats a video in the downswing advanced section) and also make sure that you have visited the weight shift 3 video in the program section. I would also look at the straight left leg at impact video to help get you some awareness of the left glute when sitting left. Controlling the speed of the hips and rotation from the lead side is going to be pivotal and once you get the correct kinesthetic awareness it will be much easier to fix your issue.
May 7, 2014
64x64
Yoshi
The impact alignment (left ankle, knee, hip joint and shoulder are in one line) applies for longer clubs (ex. driver) also? Or if you take a bit wider stance for driver, at impact, can left shouder get a bit behind (hang back) the impact alignment line?
May 7, 2014
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
Check out the driver setup adjustments video and you will see that there is some changes that will effect the alignments. For stock shot purposes, you will have the same appearance at impact with all clubs.
May 7, 2014
64x64
Rich
I am having difficulty with my head coming off the ball and pulling the ball with longer clubs. I look stacked at impact, but I noticed that my front shoulder line is open/pulled (i'm a lefty). In trying to understand why, I think I know how to solve it (for me) but not sure if I am just creating another issue. My back foot on setup is perpendicular to my target line and if I flare it open then my shoulders appear parallel at impact and my head more in the shot (slightly longer backswing more straight on at impact which sounds good). I wasn't flaring my back foot because I thought i was getting too deep on the backswing. Should back foot be flared and does this make sense as a solution? Not sure if I have seen much discussion/video on foot flaring and impact to positions.
April 21, 2014
64x64
Chris (Certified RST Instructor)
You want the back foot to be perpendicular to the target line at address and if you are noticing that you have to flare it out to make corrections in the swing then we need to take a closer look is to why you are having to do this in order to get square shoulders at impact. When you allow the pelvis to become unstable (that can happen when flaring the foot open) you can also signal to allow the torso to over rotate slightly which can lead to the arms getting longer and out of control. You may just be timing the longer swing better and we need to correct that. More than likely, you are probably pushing from the trailing side with the shorter swing and opening the shoulders up. Have you submitted your swing for a review recently?
April 21, 2014

We're after one thing: Real Results - Real Fast. And that's exactly what our members achieve. And that's why they say the AXIOM is: Mind-blowing. Game changing. Revolutionary.

Check it out ...

Here at RotarySwing, talk is cheap and the proof is always in the pudding. Come see the massive transformations we can achieve together in your swing.

See for yourself ...

From beginner to pro, we have what you need to get you where you want to go.

See how inside ...

RotarySwing was founded out of frustration with the current state of golf instruction. Quinton knew a better way had to exist to learn this game we all love.

Learn more ...