Weight Transfer During the Backswing by Scott M. Akers, PGA Teaching Professional

A number of students have a difficult time getting their weight to the right leg at the top of the backswing. Most of the time it is because they do not understand what the lower body should do as they take the club to the top position. As a result we need to determine what is too much lower body movement.

There are two major flaws of the lower body in the backswing. The first of the two is a lateral sway of the hips moving to the right. This restricts the body from allowing the weight to go to the instep of the right foot. If the lower body is moving to the right the upper body will counter balance itself and keep weight to the left side.

The second flaw is over-rotation of the lower body or hips. When you start to turn your belt buckle to the right of the right toes then you have generally turned too far. This makes it difficult to load the weight properly to the right leg. Notice whether or not you are straightening your right leg as you make a backswing, because it can allow for too much rotation in the hips. The term weight shift can be very misleading.

The action that occurs is actually a weight transfer. Weight will transfer from the middle of the body to the instep of the right leg. If you want to create the weight transfer you can get a chair and place it next to your right leg. Try to keep your belt buckle in front of you as you turn your shoulders. About 75 percent of your body weight should be to the instep of the right foot. By keeping your lower body still you can increase you weight transfer by turning or rotating you shoulders about 90 degrees.