Below are the 10 positions of the golf swing. While it may not seem like classifying the golf swing into 10 positions is a useful thing to do, throughout this instructional series, I will need a way to communicate what part of the swing I’m talking about. Therefore, these swing positions are the best we can do.
As you read this series, you can hover over a swing position to remember which one I’m talking about. For example, hover over P4 to see that I’m referring to the top of the golf swing (only works on desktop devices).
Hi Zach! I really like your site and have gone through it a few times and often refer back to it. You recently emailed me regarding the drawbacks to online instruction. Maybe someday an ideal system will be available for such a case. Also in regards to your stating you’re ‘ right handed biased’ I understand it’s reasonable due to the vast majority being right handed. However for us left handlers there’s really no reason why the terms ‘ trail’ and ‘lead’ can’t be used. That way everyone gets the message clearly without any extra work to anyone. Cheers!
Kevin–It’s a great point, and I think you’re right that using the terms ‘trail’ and ‘lead’ is not too much to ask. I will keep this in mind for all future training content. Thanks for visiting the site!
Hi zach, I’ve been looking for a drill to practice this for a while but can’t seem to find anything. Do you have any drills that might help? Especially for p1-p6.. Thanks!
I’m not sure that practicing the positions statically would be the most effective way to lock them in. The only position that I would recommend practicing a ton is the movement from P1 -> P2. If you can get this one right, the laws of physics will give you a helping hand on the way back.
To practice that, I suggest using a laser pointer as mentioned in my post about the inclined plane.
In hopes of simplifying the swing why not make P1 and P7 the same (address and impact) and stop the backswing at P3 instead of going to the top P4 and then dropping the arms into the slot P5. Thanks.
Address and impact are fundamentally different positions, so I think it is still useful to distinguish them. Likewise, there is a TON that happens between P3 and P5 as I talk about in my post about the transition. Without all these positions, it would be difficult to write instruction on these subtle parts of the swing.
Hi, FYI you’re missing P3! Loving the site.
Hi. Why there is no P3 and P7 in series of positions ?
There absolutely should be! Thank you for catching this, I’ll add them in now.
Thanks! Adding that in now.
I’m relatively new to golfing and on my first lesson, my instructor did reference the p system for learning the proper form. I’ve been practicing it for only a week and I am seeing slight results in making it muscle memory but with only irons! My question is, what should change when you want to start applying this p system to your hybrids, wood or even driver. I understand lining up the inner foot with the ball but every time I try it, I smack the ground. My irons/wedge are good, all the other clubs I get the same problem and smack the ground. Could it be because I have to stand farther back and I’m not used to the different degree? Or should I be standing the same distance no matter the club?