On Your Arches for a Balanced Swing

By Allen Riley

Woodlands Performance Center


Our perception of where our balance point should be during our golf swing is many times shaped by other sports we have played during our life. In most sports a “ready “position is usually with our weight slightly forward on the balls of our feet. In the past, we believed that most great golfers started with their weight on the balls of their feet with the weight shifting to the back heel during the back swing. On the downswing the weight went back to the balls of our feet, continuing to the left heel as the swing completed.

Recently sports scientists placed great golfers on pressure plates that measure exactly where the weight is distributed throughout the swing. They found that the weight of these great ball strikers is primarily on the arches at address, during the backswing, and at impact! The balance did not move off of the arches until the swing was nearly completed.

So, how can you incorporate this balanced approach to your swing?

A great way is to practice your starting position by standing on a 4X4 post. As illustrated to the left by golf professional Sarah Butler, the key is to take your address position with the feet squarely on their arches on top of the board.

As shown to the right, you must maintain your balance by hovering your club 4 inches off the ground.

It may be a little tricky at first, but this drill promotes great balance and posture in your setup!