Weight Transfer
Also known as: weight shift, pressure transfer
Weight transfer is the movement of the body's center of pressure from the trail side (backswing) to the lead side (downswing). A complete transfer through impact is a fundamental source of power and consistency.
A proper weight transfer sees pressure move to the trail foot during the backswing and then decisively shift into the lead side as the downswing begins. Staying on the back foot through impact ("hanging back") is a major cause of fat shots, thin shots, and weak ball flight. However, modern research distinguishes pressure shift (center of force moving) from weight transfer (center of mass moving) — elite players shift pressure early and dramatically without always swaying their mass laterally.
Example
A player finishes with 90%+ of their weight on the lead foot, balanced on the lead heel, confirming a complete weight transfer.
Related terms
- Pressure ShiftPressure shift is the movement of the center of pressure under the feet — measured by force plates — from trail to lead during the swing. Elite players shift pressure earlier and more decisively than amateurs.
- Ground ForceGround force in golf is the vertical and horizontal force a golfer pushes into the ground during the swing. More effective ground use translates directly into club speed and power.
- Low PointLow point is where the clubhead reaches the bottom of its arc through impact. Controlling it — keeping it at or just ahead of the ball with irons — is the basis of pure contact.
Related guides & benchmarks
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