What’s the proper weight shift during the swing?

Proper Weight Shift in the Lever Swing: Stability for Effortless Power

In the lever swing method, weight shift is not about aggressive lateral sliding or forceful body rotation. Instead, it emphasizes dynamic balance and stability to support a sweeping arm release driven by rhythm and timing. Power flows from your arms and wrists through a long, coordinated arc, so your lower body remains a stable platform. The goal is effortless tempo—feel your weight pressure the ground rhythmically without disrupting your spine angle or swing center.

Key Principles of Weight Shift

• Maintain Spine Angle: Keep your spine angle consistent through impact. Any early rise or dip throws off your release timing.
• Avoid Reverse Weight Shift: Never let weight move forward to your lead side during the backswing—this common flaw steepens your path and kills leverage.
• Dynamic Balance: Transfer weight subtly while staying centered over your feet, allowing arms to dominate for speed.
• Neutral Stance Foundation: Start with feet at shoulder-width, soft knees for mobility, and weight balanced 50/50 or slightly favoring the trail side.

Backswing Weight Shift: Build the Arc Smoothly

1. Takeaway: Shift pressure subtly to your trail foot (right for right-handers) as you sweep into a long backswing. Feel 60-70% of your weight on the inside of the trail heel—grounded, not swaying.
2. At the Top: Maintain center of rotation around your spine. Avoid lifting your trail hip or sliding laterally; let your arms extend fully without body dominance.
3. Feel Cue: Imagine coiling around a stable pivot, like a metronome keeping tempo.

Downswing and Transition: Arms Lead the Rhythm

1. Initiate with Arms: Start the downswing by dropping your arms naturally with gravity into the slot—don't bump hips toward the target first.
2. Pressure Lead Side: Gradually shift 70-80% pressure to your lead foot (left for right-handers) as arms fall, but keep your head and upper body behind the ball.
3. Feel Cue: Sense the club "falling" while your lower body provides quiet support, sequencing the release through full right arm extension (for right-handers).

Impact and Follow-Through: Full Extension in Balance

• At Impact: Weight favors the lead side, but trail foot stays grounded with pressure on the inside. Ball position slightly forward of center allows arms to extend fully without hanging back.
• Finish: Rotate smoothly to a balanced pose, weight fully on lead side, belt buckle facing target. Chest over lead knee for stability.
• Common Miss: Early extension or reverse shift causes thin/fat shots or pushes—counter with tempo drills.

Actionable Drills for Lever Swing Balance

• Feet-Together Drill: Hit half-swings with feet close to feel arm-dominated rhythm and minimal lower body sway. Builds pure dynamic balance.
• Split-Stance Check: Practice backswing with lead foot back—ensures trail-side pressure without slide.
• Mirror Tempo Flow: Swing in slow motion, pausing at top to feel stable center before arm drop. Record to check spine angle.

Key Takeaway: Rhythm Over Force

The lever swing thrives on subtle, feel-based weight shifts that preserve your long arc and release timing. Prioritize stability—proper dynamic balance lets arms generate effortless speed without mechanical lurches. Practice these patterns patiently, and your swing will flow like a well-timed symphony, delivering consistent contact and power.