Moving Your Head off the Ball? Try This!
A very common fault that many golfers struggle with during the golf takeaway is the head moving off the ball.
This creates significant instability and inconsistency in your swing because your one fixed reference point — and the most important part of your nervous system, your eyes — is moving around throughout the swing.
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Golf is difficult enough without introducing additional variables into the equation!
Of course, we all understand that we want to stay centered and rotate around our fixed axis, the spine. But that is easier said than done for many golfers, because they do not understand the mechanics of what creates proper rotation without moving off the ball.
Why Does It Happen?
If your head shifts off the ball during the takeaway, you are probably doing one of two things:
- You are letting your hips slide because they lack stability (they are not properly anchored at address)
- You are pushing from the lead side
Pushing from the lead side is by far the most common cause.
Pushing from the left can move your head off the ball
You take the club back and start moving it with your lead shoulder. If you picture that movement, you can see that when you are moving exclusively from the lead side, your head is going to start drifting off the ball. That is the push versus pull principle that we discussed earlier.
Instead, you need to learn how to pull. Focus on pulling your trail shoulder behind your head. Rather than thinking about pushing the club back away with your lead shoulder, you want to pull your trail shoulder back, behind your head.
Once you learn to execute this correctly, your head will stay centered without moving off the ball as you rotate back.
A Simple Fix
It is a straightforward fix — you simply need to learn how to perform the takeaway correctly. The specific correction will depend on which problem you have.
Too wide a stance can cause this problem
If you find that your head is struggling to stay centered, you have one of the following issues:
- You are not properly anchored, so your hips are free to slide and you are moving all over the place
- You are pushing from the lead side (the most common problem)
- Your stance is too wide at address — your feet are too far apart
Let us examine that third problem.
If your golf stance is too wide, your head has to move when you attempt to make a proper . That is why we emphasize the fundamentals of relative to the width of your hips. If it is too wide, your head will be forced to move in order for you to complete a full weight transfer. To see how your head movement and takeaway mechanics compare to elite standards, try a free AI swing analysis.
Are You Pushing from the Lead Side? Try This Drill.
Maintain the connection as you rotate
Again, the most common problem is pushing the club back away from the lead side. If you find that you are struggling with this, here is a simple drill:
With your trail arm, perform a small amount of shoulder elevation and trail elbow flexion, keeping your upper bicep and your chest connected. Focusing on that bicep-chest connection, rotate your upper body to the trail side while maintaining that connection.
If you are really lead-side dominant and you start to focus more on the trail side, you will begin to feel that the rotation is coming from the trail side of your back.
All we are doing with this drill is keeping the bicep and chest connected, and using your core and your obliques to pull that trail shoulder blade back while the arm stays in place.
If your head is moving off the ball, chances are you are too lead-side dominant. Perform this simple drill to develop a feel for keeping the trail side more active during the takeaway. For real-time coaching, try a free AI golf lesson.
How to Fix Head Sway in Golf
Learn how to keep your head centered during your golf swing for better stability and consistency.
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1
Identify Head Movement Issues
Determine if your head is swaying off the ball during your takeaway. This often results from unstable hips or pushing from the lead side.
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2
Adjust Your Stance Width
Check your stance width. If your feet are too far apart, it can force your head to move during your weight shift. Aim for a stance that matches the width of your hips.
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3
Focus on Trail Shoulder Movement
Instead of pushing with your lead shoulder, concentrate on pulling your trail shoulder back. This will help keep your head centered as you rotate.
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4
Perform the Shoulder Drill
With your trail arm, elevate your shoulder slightly while keeping your bicep connected to your chest. Rotate your upper body to the trail side, maintaining this connection.
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5
Practice Core Engagement
Use your core and obliques to pull your trail shoulder blade back while keeping your arm in place. This will help you develop a feel for proper takeaway mechanics.
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6
Check Your Anchoring
Ensure you are properly anchored to prevent your hips from sliding. This stability is crucial for maintaining your head position throughout the swing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes my head to sway during the golf takeaway?
Head swaying during the takeaway is often caused by two main issues: instability in the hips due to improper anchoring at address, or pushing from the lead side. The most common culprit is pushing from the lead side, which causes your head to drift off the ball as you initiate the swing.
How can I fix my head movement in the golf swing?
To fix head movement, focus on correcting your takeaway technique. Instead of pushing the club back with your lead shoulder, practice pulling your trail shoulder behind your head. This adjustment helps keep your head centered and allows for proper rotation around your spine.
What role does stance width play in head movement?
Stance width significantly impacts head movement during your swing. If your stance is too wide, it forces your head to move to complete a weight shift, leading to instability. Ensuring your stance is appropriately aligned with your hips can help maintain a centered head position throughout your swing.
What drill can I use to prevent head sway in my swing?
A helpful drill to prevent head sway is to maintain a connection between your bicep and chest while rotating your upper body to the trail side. Focus on keeping your trail arm engaged and use your core to pull your trail shoulder blade back, which encourages proper rotation and minimizes head movement.
Watch part 2 now to see how you're moving your body in the opposite direction of the pros!
