Tiger Woods Impact Position: Golf Swing Video Analysis
This Tiger Woods impact position lesson is Part 4 of the slow motion video analysis of the famous Tiger Nike swing portrait commercial. Analyzed below are Tiger’s left and right wrist, arm, leg, knee, feet, hip, and shoulder positions at impact with his driver. Understanding and performing a proper impact position is fundamental to driving the golf ball correctly off the tee box. Learn the proper way to swing your golf club like Tiger by learning Tiger Woods impact position.
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Stop this slow motion golf swing video at the moment where Tiger reaches his impact position (when he hits the ball) to understand the swing analysis provided below.
Tiger's Impact Position (Shoulders) – Note the classic shoulder impact angle with his right shoulder low and left shoulder high. His shoulders also are just slightly open to the target line. Your shoulders should be slightly open, square, or slightly closed at address. If your shoulders are too far open your swing fault would be pulls, pull slices, and pull hooks. If your shoulder are too closed your swing error would be pushes, push slices and push hooks. Together, the impact shoulder angle and approximately square shoulders are signs that you have brought the club down on plane. Tiger Woods Impact Position (Arms) – Tiger’s left arm and elbow is straight at impact for a consistent and powerful golf shot. The right arm almost fully straightens, but won’t fully straighten until after impact when he extends it down the line on his golf swing follow-through. His right elbow has passed his right hip. A straight left arm is a sign of a fully extended swing arc, a relaxed left arm and a club face position aimed down the target line. Finally, the right elbow passing the right hip is needed to have any chance of achieving a flat wrist and straightened left arm at impact. Tiger's Impact Position (Wrist and Hands) – Tiger’s left wrist is flat at impact with the back of his left hand and three knuckles still visible. The flat wrist is proof that his driver club face is being returned to the ball with the proper loft. If your left wrist is cupped inward, it is a sign that you are trying to scoop the ball rather than letting your club face do the job of lifting the ball. Having knuckles visible at impact (approximately the same amount as at address) is a sign that you have not rotated your wrist too much before impact. Tiger Woods Impact Position (Hips) – Tiger’s hip position is open at impact. This is called clearing the hips and it is needed to allow you to follow-through with power while maintaining your posture. It is also a sign that the hips turned to initiate the downswing. This is a hallmark of every great golf swing. Tiger Woods Impact Position (Feet and Knees) – At impact, the heel of Tiger’s left foot has begun to come off the ground. Tiger’s right foot and ankle have begun to roll towards the target. Tiger’s right knee has moved towards the ball and is in line with his right hip. His right knee has moved away from the ball and has straightened compared to his address position. All of the above lower body movement is a sign that Tiger has transferred his weight to his right side properly. Note that the right knee moving vertically beneath the right hip is a major key to performing the left foot and knee and right foot action explained.
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