I came across this video from one of my favorite YouTube instruction channels. If you like learning the “why” behind the golf swing, I suggest giving Athletic Motion Golf a follow. I found this one particularly interesting because of the way I learned to play golf and what I’ve seen work with students through the years.
Many amateurs have been taught to “stay centered” or “rotate around the spine” but this video shows how that thinking can ruin power, natural movement, instinct and sequencing. So here’s a look at what Tour pros know about weight shift and what you can learn from it.
Weight shift versus pressure shift: Why the difference matters
Before we dive into this deeper, it’s worth understanding the differences between weight shift and pressure shift.
- Pressure = where the force is applied under your feet (invisible without a pressure mat)
- Weight = your body’s mass moving side to side—something you can see on video or in a mirror.
When a tour pro swings, they visibly shift their mass during their swing. That movement causes the pressure change.
The common amateur mistake: Trying to eliminate movement
Amateur golfers take the idea of “staying centered” and exaggerate it. They are afraid of swaying so they lock their weight in place and just turn around a fixed center.
The result is usually poor sequencing, no ground force and a weak hit. Tour players have movement: a slight sway in the backswing and then again in the downswing.
In this particular video, Athletic Motion Golf says you’re closer to being correct if you over-shift than if you don’t shift at all. I’d have to agree. I’ve seen more problems with golfers who don’t know how to transfer weight than with those who transfer too much.
You can’t fix over-sliding by eliminating motion altogether. A small, controlled move is what creates athletic flow and movement.
How tour pros actually shift weight
Modern players shift within a small window. For most players it’s just an inch or two, about the width of a golf ball. It’s a tiny move, but it’s enough to get weight shifted and let the natural order of events follow.
Here’s what that really looks like:
- The swing starts with a small trigger toward the target, then a smooth load into the trail side.
- That load gives you something to push from, just like preparing to jump.
- As the swing changes direction, you re-center naturally, returning to where you started.
- From there, your weight flows forward, helping the trail side move through and the club square up.
You can stay mostly centered over the ball and still shift weight the same way every tour pro does. When this happens correctly, it feels balanced, athletic and natural.
The way I learned it
If you’ve ever tried to “hold still” during your swing, you know how robotic that can feel. Instead, spend a few minutes just swinging back and through, no golf balls, no pauses. The idea is to feel your body flow in both directions.
That free-moving rhythm happens because you are shifting. You won’t feel this if you are too mechanical with your movement.
Once you’ve felt that motion, add the alignment-stick drill to set your limits.
- Place one stick just outside your trail leg and one outside your lead leg.
- In the backswing, lightly brush the rear stick—that’s your load.
- As you swing through, brush the front stick—that’s your shift.
Those “guardrails” keep you moving. They won’t let you sway and you can still have that centered feel so your low point stays consistent and your contact improves.
Final thoughts
Tour pros shift their weight. If you want to play more like them, make sure you haven’t gotten too hung up on the concept of staying centered. You’ll need the movement in your game to get the results you want on the golf course.
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