"What does keep the club in front of you mean?"

There are numerous set up positions that change the position of the hands through the swing. If any one of those factors is off, the club moves behind the player. Very few players have the club in front but still play well as long as they repeat the same set up and inswing positions. Changing one set up position changes everything at the top.

In the mid 80s, Harvey Penick said that the easiest time to teach was in the rain in the pro shop. He said just stand, put the club shaft on your trail shoulder. rotate your shoulders as though you were making a back swing without moving the club. Once you rotate your shoulders, raise the handle of the club straight up. That's your backswing. Stay in that backswing position and lay the shaft on your lead shoulder. Now, leaving the shaft resting on your lead shoulder, rotate to your through swing. Now, raise your hands straight up. That's your golf swing.

Let's take a look at a simple self-test to determine if the club is in front of you or behind you in the swing.
You will need a club for this exercise. Find your set up and swing to the top of your backswing. Hold that position as shown here.

Next, take your lead or target side foot while keeping your trail side in place and turn so your back is to the target side without moving the trail side foot as shown here.

Notice that my hands are on the right center of my chest as I grip the club. This is a position where the club is in front of me at the top of my backswing.

What does it mean to get the club "behind you" in the backswing. This illustration shows me demonstrating a position where the club is behind me at the top of my backswing.

Note the differences in these illustrations. All I did here was change my stance width so my Power Spot did not match my Stance Width and the club moved behind me in the back swing. Why is this important. When the club is in front of you, the clubface will be square to the target line the longest. When the club is behind you at the top of your swing, you will either be over or under the plane in the downswing. When you are under or over the plane in the downswing there will be a re-routing of the club to impact with a miss of a less than "ideal" angle of attack, a thin or a fat shot and / or a flight that is left or right of the intended target.

Let's take a look at a brief video to learn how to test whether the club is in front of you at the top of the swing.

Players will have their best performance when the club is kept in front through the swing. Setting a goal in your teaching to keep the club in front throughout the swing will provide great benefits for your student. However, it is going to take work on their part. Wright Balance has a grip trainer so your students can practice all of the factors that impact keeping the club in front at home.

This Golf certification covers all of the factors that impact keeping the club in front through the swing. If you have registered for this certification, you received a trainer grip and shaft clips for determining the position of the clubface through the swing from address to finish.

Each set up position has to be learned and practiced independent of the others. This video shows the long term goal of this practice.

Before we get to the factors that impact balance, let's review the Science behind

Vision, Balance and Alignment: The Science

In the original biomechanics lab research 20 years ago, players stood on a lined mat with precise placement of their feet. Each subject had insoles with 1000 force sensors in each shoe to track changes in balance. The electronics in those days did not have wireless so the insoles in the subject's shoes were tethered to a computer.

Note the straight line drawn by the computer connecting the left and right feet. This image of a straight line connecting the left and right feet demonstrates balance. The location of the center of balance toward the center middle of the arches indicates a Lower Core Stance Width...

...compared to this illustration where the line drops toward the heel of the right foot. This illustration demonstrates an out of balance Stance Width. This diagonal line into the right heel indicates that this players pelvis rotates right.

One of the Centinela balance research protocols was a vision test.

Each subject stood on a lined mat 25 feet from a wall with a vertically lined chart numbered 1-24. The lines were 1 inch apart with a dotted line every 1/2 inch. A plumb line hung 10 feet in front of the subject. The plumb line was lasered from the center of the lined mat where the subjects stood to line 12 on the chart on the wall.

When the subject was in balance, they visually perceived the plumb line intersect line number 12 on the chart.

The subjects stood with their left foot in front of the right, square to the wall chart, the club in the left hand and then the right hand while standing square, open or closed to the wall chart. Each of these were discreet segments of the protocol. Balance was observed in their feet and the orientation of the light sensor on the body relative to their stance line in each of these protocol changes. Their visual report of the where they saw the plumb line relative to the chart was recorded in each of these conditions.

When the subject was in balance, they visually perceived the plumb line intersect line number 12 on the chart.

When they were out of balance, the average right-handed subject reported their visual perception of the plumb line between 4 and 7 inches left (numbers 8 to 5 on the chart).

Two variables impacted each subjects balance and subsequent accurate visual perception of the plumb line relative to line 12 on the wall chart.

  1. The first variable was having the hips and shoulders square to the chart on the wall (this was measured by the light sensors on the subject's body.)

  2. Which hand the subject held the club in was the second determining variable and directly related to how square they were to the chart on the wall. That varied between subjects. When the subject reported seeing the plumb line intersect Line 12 on the chart, all they had to do was move the club to the other hand and they reported that their visual perception of the plumb line moved off line 12. Out of all subjects, only one, a Champions Tour Player, reported the line to the right (lines 13 through 24) when his visual perception of the plumb line moved.

The reason which hand the subject used to hold the club when they perceived the plumb line accurately was observed when reviewing the data of the light sensors on the body. When the subject was in balance, the hand they held the club in squared the shoulders to the wall where the chart was hanging and their visual perception of the plumb line was that it intersected line 12. When they moved the club to the other hand, their shoulders subtly rotated open or closed as measured by the light sensors on the body and their visual perception of the line changed.

These observations laid the foundation for understanding vision as related to balance. In particular, as related to golf, when teaching alignment the hand the player holds the club in behind the ball impacts the "line" they see whether they are putting or in preparation to walk into the shot.

I will show you how to determine which hand the player needs to hold the club in behind the ball, how to test that observation and the impact it has on full swing alignment and putting. As noted alignment is one of the factors that impacts keeping the club in front of the player through the swing.

Factors that Impact Keeping the Club in Front

There are 5 setup factors that impact keeping the club in front through the swing, all related to balance. The first we will cover is alignment.

Routine & Alignment

Alignment requires a specific routine, a precise target and a specific focus on that target as the player sets up to the ball.

When I am checking alignment at the end of the first lesson, I ask the player to show me their routine. I ask them to show me how they align to a target when they play. Some have no routine and others are diligent as they prepare to walk into the shot and setup to the ball. If their alignment is accurate, I ask them to set up again to another target on the opposite side of the range. If both are accurate. I stop and say whatever you are doing, keep doing it. I also suggest they check their alignment themselves frequently during practice and before play.

In the 1990s, one of my students was Dan Ahmad Bateman. Dan was Number One in putting on the Buy.com Tour (formerly Hogan, Nike, Nationwide Tours, etc.). When asked to align to a target, Dan stood with his back to the target, turned, walked into the shot and he was aligned perfectly every time. He had a great sense of his body and his visual setup to his target over the ball.

Dan used a long putter in those days. He told me he became such a good putter because he would set a line on the ball to a precise target and adjust his setup, mostly his stance width, until the line looked like it was going where he wanted to start the ball. I will talk more about Dan and the importance of visualization of lines in the Putting section, all related to balance.

An intermediate Target vs Primary Target:
The majority of amateurs who use a target describe using an intermediate target, many citing Jack Nicklaus' use of an intermediate target. Truth be told, Nicklaus used 4 intermediate targets, once 3 feet behind the ball, one 3 feet in front of the ball, another before his primary target and his primary target. He was drawing a line through his 4 targets.

I teach a precise visual focus on a primary target in the full swing, not an intermediate target.

Why is an Alignment to a Target Important

If alignment to the target line is left or right (open or closed) the club will get behind the player in their backswing. Alignment is a visual process and it is totally dependent upon a focused routine on a precise target.

Here is PGA Tour Veteran, Kevin Stadler learning a visually focused routine for alignment.

Note in this illustration that Kevin has the club in his left hand and he is looking at a precise target on the horizon. The ball is on the ground about 9 feet in front of Kevin.

DO NOT automatically move the club to your left hand until you learn to test in which hand to hold the club and why. Every player is different.

In the following illustration Kevin glances at his feet as he aims his feet at his precise target

Once his feet are aimed at his target, his eyes return to that target as he prepares to walk. As he begins to walk, he moves the club to his right hand while his eyes remain fixed on his precise target.

Note that his eyes remain fixed on his precise target as he approaches the ball.

Kevin makes a "shallow turn" to the ball. Look at his feet and you will see he is ready to turn to the ball. Your students will need to make a wider approach to the ball. Otherwise they will likely set up closed to their target line. At Kevin's level, he has ingrained a routine and approach that works for him.

The only time Kevin's eyes leave his precise target are when he grounds the club behind the ball. AS LONG AS HIS FEET ARE MOVING, HIS EYES ARE ON HIS TARGET. WHEN HE LOOKS AT THE BALL, KEVIN STOPS MOVING AND GROUNDS THE CLUB.

Before Kevin moves his feet again, his eyes return to his precise target as he settles into his setup. Notice that Kevin's chin is rotated under. He doesn't raise his head. Many players stand taller and turn their head opening their shoulders. Be sure your students head rotation is under.

Great players have different strategies to get their body square as they spread their feet into their setup. Kevin takes his lead arm across his chest as he spreads his feet into his address position as shown above. This "move" squares his shoulders. Many players will put their lead hand on their lead thigh to square their shoulders as they spread their feet into their setup.

Place an alignment stick or club on the player's heel line as I am doing for Kevin above. Never use the toe line as the slightest flare of either foot will create inaccurate feedback. Always use the heel line.

Step back behind the ball and check the players alignment after you have placed the alignment stick as shown below.

The alignment stick should be parallel to the target line. The majority of right-handed players align to the right of their target or, closed. Very few align left of their target.

Alignment is a fundamental that requires practice. In my experience, alignment is seldom taught much less practiced. When a player arrives at the range before practice or play, alignment should be checked with a full routine as shown with Kevin in the photo series above. It takes very little time to check and it is a game changer when alignment is consistent.

When alignment is inaccurate, the club will be behind the player through the swing leading to errant shots. Now let's look at how to determine in which hand to hold the club and the visual factors that impact alignment and how to teach your students alignment.

How to determine which hand in which to hold the club behind the ball**

Testing changes in Vision vs Balance on the Putting Green

How to check where the feet are aimed behind the ball and why

How to approach the ball at 90 degrees (or more shallow?)

Where to Focus your player's eyes as they approach their ball

Ball Position as related to alignment

Most of your students will need to develop a routine that is set to a precise target.

  1. Grip: Interlock vs Overlap vs 10 Finger Grip
  2. Matching Power Spots to Stance Width
  3. Grip Strength and weakness
  4. Shaft Plane
  5. Shaft Lean
  6. Posture
  7. Flat Wrist of Lead Hand

The placement of the hands on the club impacts the student's connection to the ground where power will be recruited and transferred to the clubhead. Let's begin with a review of the basics. The concepts are simple and a must for your students to understand the importance of Grip as related to keeping the club in front of the body in the golf swing.

Power Spots

I know you have already covered the importance of the Power Spots in another chapter. I am going to review the placement of the club again here. As you know, the Power Spots relate to your student's Playing Core Region Stance Widths. If the Stance Width does not match the Power Spot of the Playing Core Region, Power is compromised as is distance. There is also a potential for injury with a mismatch of Power Spots and Stance Widths. Power Spots and Stance Width will be a significant part of the Certification Exam. Please be certain you understand the relationships.

The Lower Core Power Spot

If the Playing Core Region was determined to be Lower Core as shown in illustration below, note the location of the Lower Core Power Spot. The Power Spots on the Middle Fingers are placed on the under side of the grip in both the lead and trail hands.

enter image description here

The Lower Core Power Spot is on the second pad up on the middle fingers as shown in the illustrations below. Also note the position of the butt end of the grip as it exits the left palm.

enter image description here

enter image description here

Again, note the position where the butt of the club crosses the palm of the lead hand. When you place your hands on the club with the Power Spot is on the Bottom of the Grip.

The crease in the palm where the butt of the club exits the lead hand is on the SIDE of the Grip.

The lifeline of the trail hand is the "seat" of the thumb of the lead hand.

You / or your students will feel “space” that is not comfortable. “Space” is good. That “Space” is minimized when the proper Grip Size is set. I will cover Grip Size in another Chapter.

The Middle Core Power Spot

If the Playing Core Region was determined to be Middle Core as shown in illustration below, note the location of the Middle Core Power Spot. The Power Spots on the Middle Fingers are placed on the under side of the grip in both the lead and trail hands.

enter image description here

The Middle Core Power Spot is on the the first knuckle line of the middle fingers as shown in the illustrations below. Also note the position of the butt end of the grip as it exits the palm.

The crease in the palm where the butt of the club exits the lead hand is on the SIDE of the Grip.

The lifeline of the trail hand is the "seat" of the thumb of the lead hand.

The Upper Core Power Spot

If the Playing Core Region was determined to be Upper Core as shown in illustration below, note the location of the Upper Core Power Spot. The Power Spots on the Middle Fingers are placed on the under side of the grip in both the lead and trail hands.

The crease in the palm where the butt of the club exits the lead hand is on the SIDE of the Grip.

The lifeline of the trail hand is the "seat" of the thumb of the lead hand.

enter image description here

The Upper Core Power Spot is on the the first pad of the middle fingers as shown in the illustrations below. Again, note the position of the butt end of the grip as it exits the palm.

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

enter image description here

How important is the Core Exercise for Grip?

The Wright Balance Express Core exercises are important if you are doing those exercises to increase the Power Angle for a better trail arm delivery. What does that mean? Remember, the Wright Balance Core Express

The Core Exercises DO NOT NEED to be done if your student is using the Wright Balance® Optimization Move (the Wright BOM) at address. The Wright BOM sets the hands exactly the same at address relative to the Core Region Stance Width, even if the hands were not hanging the same when standing tall.

Note in this photo of Nick Faldo that his left hand has greater internal rotation than his right and his right hip is higher than his left..

Nick Faldo's "rolled shoulder's posture at address, as shown in the photo below, likely mimicked the Wright BOM. When he assumed his set up, his posture with "rolled shoulders" unwittingly leveled his shoulders and hips and set his hands exactly the same at his side while setting a neutral grip.

Most of us have taught a "straight back" posture at address. We even placed a club on the spine demonstrating how to keep the back straight in the set up. Another teaching myth.

Factors that Impact Keeping the Club in Front

1. Flat lead hand wrist:

Note in the photos above that my lead hand wrist is flat at the top of the swing. If you view the video you will notice that my lead hand is also flat at address.

A flat wrist at address and at the top of the swing is the first factor in keeping the club in front. The flat lead wrist is a result of a "neutral" grip in the lead hand and shaft lean that keeps that flat lead wrist at address. These set up positions amplify the impact of ball position on both shaft lean and a flat lead wrists. We will get to how to determine ball position in a bit.

In this 2017 photo of Brooks Koepka you will note that the club is very much in front of him at the top and his lead hand is flat with a slight bow.

I heard Brooks Koepka's swing coach, Butch Harmon III speak in Texas in 2019. He said that Brooks worked primarily on keeping the club in front of him. When his ball striking got off, he said the club was getting behind him.

Here is another photo of Brooks Koepka with the club in front at the top of the swing.

This photo shows Tiger Woods at the 2019 Masters. Again note that his lead hand is flat at the top and, in spite of the angle, the club looks very much in front of him.

Recall the 2019 British Open was won by Shane Lowry. If you recall, Shane Lowry's short game from 100 yards in was remarkable. However, he struggled to find the fairway with his tee shots.. I found myself thinking as I watched the Saturday and Sunday rounds that he would never win because of his errant tee shots. However, he was a wizard in the short game.

Here is a shot from the final round of the 2019 British Open. Notice how much the club is in front of Lowry with a wedge an a flat lead wrist.

Here is Shaun's full swing, notice how the club is behind him in his tee game and he has a cup in his lead hand.

Here are two other number 1 players in the world. Justin Thomas obviously has a flat lead wrist at the top and the club is in front of him.

However, Dustin Johnson has a bowed lead wrist. It is difficult to tell if the club is in front of Dustin due to the angle and the overswing.

Not all players with a flat lead wrist have the club in front as you can see from this image of Jordan Spieth.

However, similar to Shane Lowry, note the club in front of Jordan with this 100 yard wedge shot at the top of his swing. Jordan's short game, like Lowry's is very solid.

If you have a student with a flat lead wrist and the club is behind as is the case with Jordan Spieth's long game, the solution lies in diagnosing other factors that impact keeping the club in front.

If you have a student with the club in front of them when you test whether their lead hand is cupped, flat or bowed, I wouldn't change anything. However, if the club is behind them, the following factors will help move the club in front in the backswing.

Lead Hand Grip: If you are doing online certification you received a Trainer Grip and card and bubble clips. The first thing you want to work on with the trainer grip is a flat lead wrist at address. The flat lead wrist is created by the strength and weakness of the grip.

As you set the lead hand grip, you will likely hear your student say that it feels too weak. The majority of your players have never had a grip as weak as they need to have to set the lead wrist flat. They are likely going to tell you they feel they are going to hit a "flare" or "opposite field single" when they assume their lead hand grip.

The practice with the weakness of the lead hand grip is why they need to use the trainer grip. Do not allow your student to add the trail hand yet. We will get to that latter.

This video describes in detail how to set the lead hand on the Trainer Grip so their is a flat wrist.

Posture: You will find that it is easy to determine the correct posture after you set the Power Spots to matching Core Region Stance Width and the lead hand is set properly on the Trainer Grip. Go into your set up with only your lead hand on the Trainer Grip. When you look down you should only see the edge of the card from your vantage point.

If you see anything other than them top edge of the card (or both sides of the card as you look down) you either don't have enough spine angle or you have too little spine angle. Players almost always have to correct for having too much spine angle.

When you get in the correct posture, slowly add a little more spine angle until you see the trail side of the card. The trail side of the card is a shut face which is what too much spine angle will create.

Then decrease your spine angle slowly and note that you see the front side of the card or an open face as shown here.

Grip Strength and Weakness:

When setting the lead and trail hand on the club, there is a simple test to see if the strength and weakness of each hand. To test your lead hands. You will have a restriction of movement in the backswing when the lead hand is not set on the grip at the correct "strength". For a right-handed golfer, when either hand is turned clockwise, the grip gets stronger. When the lead hand is rotated counterclockwise the grip gets "weaker". The lead hand controls the rotation in the backswing. Note: Too much or too little spine angle will also restrict rotation.

Note in this illustration that I have absolute freedom of motion in my backswing and I see the top edge of the card. If I see the front or back of the card, my grip is incorrect of I have lifted the grip trainer as i turned. That full range of motion means that I have a "neutral" lead hand grip.

In this illustration I have strengthened my grip and I can see the back side of the card which means a "shut" clubface. Notice my restriction in rotation.

2. Interlock vs Overlap and Trigger Finger Impacts the Wright BOM and Keeping the Club in Front

This content was also covered in the Chapter on the Wright BOM. It is very important that you understand the subtlety of the use of the "Trigger Finger".

One of the more interesting Wright Balance® research findings was when to use a "Trigger Finger" and when not to use the "Trigger Finger". The "Trigger Finger" research was done using a research question with 40 plus Wright Balance® Professionals from around the world.

What is equally remarkable in subsequent observations is that if the "Trigger Finger" does not match the grip, the Wright BOM has no impact at address.

This video shows the impact of matching the trigger finger with an overlapping grip vs a trigger finger with an interlocking grip. This is a must view video. This is one of the first things you should be checking in your students at each lesson.

If you have done the Wright Balance® Express exercises or the Wright Balance® Optimization Exercises, your hands will hang exactly the same at your side. To test the impact of the Trigger Finger observations you need a disrupted Core. A disrupted Core means that your hands don't hang the same at your side and one shoulder is lower than the other and one hip is higher and your hips rotate left or right, among other observations. You will look similar to Nick Faldo in this picture.

Let's disrupt your Core. Simply Grip a club shaft, hold it parallel to the ground and do the Express Exercise in any Stance Width. Make sure your hands are touching. Bend forward using isometric pressure pushing your shoulders toward your sternum and then bend back using isometric pressure to push your shoulder blades together. When you do this one time in any Stance Width, you will note that your hands don't hang the same at your side and one hip is higher and one shoulder is lower, no matter what stance width you use.

Now, let's test the "Trigger Finger" combined with the Wright BOM. Let's take a look at the predictable outcome with and without a "Trigger Finger" applied correctly and incorrectly.

Stand in front of a mirror. Look at how your hands hang and note that one hip is higher and one shoulder is lower. Grip a club with an overlapping Grip. Be sure you have a "Trigger Finger". Go into a setup and do the Wright BOM. Don't move your feet, set the club aside and stand tall. Look in the mirror and note that your hands hang the same and your shoulders and hips are level.

Now raise one foot or just walk around and return to the mirror. Find your Stance Width. This time, with an overlapping Grip, don't use a "Trigger Finger". Be certain your index finger of your trail hand is touching your middle finger of your lead hand. Now do the Wright BOM. Set the club aside, stand tall and look in the mirror. Now you will note that the BOM had no impact on how your hands hang at your side and one hip is still higher and one shoulder is still lower. Set the "Trigger Finger" with your overlapping Grip, do the BOM, look in the mirror and you will note the changes. The "Trigger Finger" changes the impact of the BOM and thus, performance.

Here is a brief, comprehensive video demonstrating the above.

Be sure to stop reading, stand in front of a mirror and test this phenomena. It is subtle but an important consideration when you are teaching and they are practicing or playing. And, it is a simple "FIX". Please know that the Placement of the Power Spot, a Matching Stance Width, and the Proper Trigger Finger are important for best performance.

****Here is a simple overview of the Trigger Finger:

Interlocking Grip: Index Finger Touching Middle Finger of Lead Hand / No Trigger Finger on trail hand

Overlapping Grip: Trigger Finger with Index Finger of Trail Hand.

10 Finger Grip: Index Finger Touching Middle Finger of Lead Hand / No Trigger Finger on trail hand

The following video summarizes the findings of the Research Project on whether or not to use a Trigger Finger.

As you learned in the Wright BOM Chapter, the Trigger Finger phenomena impacts the BOM. If the Trigger Finger is not set correctly, the BOM has no impact on the set up and the potential for injury remains a constant and the club will not be in front of the player.

Grip the Club With Shaft Lean

When your student places their lead hand on the club, it should be with shaft lean. Shaft lean varies by Core Region as shown in this illustration.

Note, this is the "natural" position of the lead arm and shaft at address. This is not a forward press. You will note that shaft lean sets the ball position.

This video summarizes the lead hand grip with shaft lean.

Notice at the end of that video what happens to my ability to rotate my shoulders when I don't grip the club with shaft lean.

Strength and Weakness of Grip

"Grip the Club the way your arms and hands hang at your side". I heard that instruction more than 30 years ago and it is still a Gold Standard of teaching to this day. Our research shows that this teaching adage applies to today IF your student does the Wright BOM. When the Wright BOM is done, both hands hang the same at their side and they are ready to assume a grip that produces maximum motion and power. The way the hands are placed on the club determines how the club is set at the top of the backswing. That includes Power Angles, Leverage and Club Path.

The Power Angles are set by matching the Power Spots with the Playing Core Region Stance Width. Leverage is determined by how much heel pad is set on top of the grip and Club Path is created when the club remains in front of the player through the swing. You have already covered how Power Spots and matching Stance Widths impact Power at the top of the Golf Swing. Leverage and Club Path are next.

NEXT

Club Path Jai and Larry Rinker

Leverage

  1. Creating

  2. the flat left wrist via grip

  3. Grip & Butt of club in or out of palm

  4. Grip and heel pad on top

  5. Use a ball in front when using the grip trainer

  6. Crease in lead hand palm is angle of shaft

  7. Set Power Spot in trail hand under the grip before adding the right hand covering the lead hand thumb with the center (life line) of the trail hand palm.

  8. Cock wrist first with left until left wrist is flat...note shaft lean

  9. Stance Width must be in Core Region Power Spots for face to be square at address

  10. Grip, shaft lean = ball position

The Power Angle, Grip & Rotation

Measure Power / Carrying Angle at from Playing Core Region Stance Wdith. Here it is Middle Core Stance Width.

Take right wrist at top and let left hand and arm drop with club. Hold the angle of the right arm, have student stand tall and look straight ahead.

Angle at top when Power is present is same as Carrying / Power Angle

Push on butt with proper sequencing

Push on But with improper sequencing