ToddKolbGolf
“60/40” Rule? Weight Distribution in Golf Swing
01/02/2017
The three key areas of any golf swing are the address, the position at the top of the swing, and the impact position.
Understanding pressure and weight distribution in golf can help you get more consistency and control out of your swing. In this edition of Teaching with Technology, PGA Professional Todd Kolb uses his Swing Catalyst system to explain how to shift pressure throughout the swing, without drifting back and forth.
A lot of teaching professionals use basic rules to help their golfers better understand their golf swing. At address, we believe in a rule called the “60/40” rule.
Now, what exactly is the “60/40” rule?
In this edition of Teaching with Technology, PGA Professional Todd Kolb uses his Swing Catalyst system to explain how to shift pressure throughout the swing, without drifting back and forth.
Watch the video here:
In the video above, you’ll notice Todd is using his Swing Catalyst, a device used to measure pressure and weight distribution.
They use sensor plates to pick up the frequency of the weight, not just at impact, but throughout the entire golf swing. The product measures various forces throughout the entire golf swing. Watch this video featuring Sean Foley and the Swing Catalyst system.
Todd starts this lesson in the address position.
He notes early that most all good players at address have a little bit more pressure on their lead foot versus their trail foot. For a right-handed golfer, that’s the left foot.
The swing catalyst system indicates Todd has a 59/41 split, meaning 59% of his body’s weight is on his lead foot. This leads to the lesson he always tells students is “let’s see 60/40.”
He wants to see a 60/40 split at address.
You’ll also notice in the video—represented by the red line—that Todd’s head is behind the golf ball. He is a firm believer that the head should be behind the ball at address, at the top, and at the moment of truth—of course—impact.
His setup position then has 59% on the front and 41% on the back foot, with his head just behind the golf ball.
[bctt tweet=”59% of his body’s weight is on his lead foot” username=””]
As we move to the top of the backswing, things start to change.
The head, of course, is still behind the golf ball, though it is critical to notice how it hasn’t moved laterally, or away from the ball. It’s rotated around a nice center spot.
But the pressure on Todd’s feet has definitely changed.
At the top of Todd’s swing, he’s got 76% on my trail foot, only 24% on his lead foot.
That’s a general thing; it might be a little more, a little less, but you’re definitely going to have more pressure on the trail foot at the top of the backswing than you do on the lead foot. This is a good example of that.
Go back to the video again. Todd also put a green line here to show how the hips have rotated. The upper body and the lower body are rotating. They’re not drifting off the target.
[bctt tweet=”At the top of Todd’s swing, he’s got 76% on my trail foot, only 24% on my lead foot.” username=””]
Now when we move into impact. Of course, the moment of truth.
We’re going to see a change again. The head’s still behind the ball—it should remain that way. It’s behind the ball at address, at the top, and at impact, but notice how the hips have a strong move towards the target. You will then see the pressure on his feet has drastically changed. now have 74 percent pressure on my lead foot, and only 26 on my trail foot.
At impact, Todd now has 74% pressure on his lead foot, and only 26% on his trail foot.
Summary
When you’re looking at the golf swing, the head is always behind the golf ball. This is true during all phases of the golf swing: at address, at the top and at impact.
The weight is going to move a little bit pressure-wise, but be mindful of where your weight is throughout the swing.
- You’re going to start with a little bit more on weight the lead foot (the 60/40 rule!).
- At the top of the backswing you’re going to feel a little bit more pressure on the trail foot
- Then, at impact, you’re going to definitely see some weight on the lead foot.
Understanding proper weight distribution in golf with Swing Catalyst is just one example of how teaching with technology is allowing us to help you become a better golfer.
Understanding pressure trace can unlock hidden answers. @SwingCatalyst @SanfordPOWER @TKGAGolf pic.twitter.com/1vOjqUIUTA
— Todd Kolb (@toddkolbgolf) September 8, 2016
That’s fine with an iron
But what is the pressure balance using a driver
Since the mass stays behind the ball
What is the percentage, more like 40/60 at impact.
Rich s
Rich some feedback from Todd Kolb, our resident PGA Instructor and founder:
“Rich,
Great question. I still like a 60/40 set up position for the driver. Now keep in mind we use the phrase “60-40″ simply because we see so many golfers start with their pressure on the trail foot. The average Tour Pro numbers we see are closer to 55-45 address. You are correct that at impact we want to see the body mass behind the ball, however we still want to see the pressure well into the lead foot. Typically we will see numbers in the range of 70 to 90% in the lead foot for our better players. When the pressure is into the lead foot combined with the body mass behind the ball, you get the maximum benefit. Hope that helps!”
You can find Todd on Twitter @toddkolbgolf.
I am really completely confused. I always thought with my analysis of many professional teachers that the pressure of the lead foot depends upon the type of shot you’re hitting if you’re hitting woods according to Sean Foley I believe he mentions about 60/40 fair enough but I thought for shorter clubs more weight on lead foot. I’ve also been told that for a driver that the weight should be evenly distributed Or even be slightly like 55% on the back foot and I believe the fellows from me and my Golf, Pierce Ward and Andy I don’t remember his last name say that for irons and I’m not sure even which ones the weight should be evenly distributed. so I believe it does change depending upon the type of club you’re using and whose direction you are following! I can’t believe that it’s going to be 60/40 for every single club in the bag.i
I would appreciate if you can let us know exactly what the weight distribution should be at start up
for drivers for woods off the ground for long irons off the ground for mid irons off the ground for short irons off the ground and for wedges off the ground (full shots with all the irons I know this would change if you’re doing pitch ch shots where the weight should even more on the lead foot maybe about 65/70 I would say) so that I can have a complete knowledge Of all the possible positions properly.
Now then would the weight distribution change in all those types of shots woods,Long mid short irons and wedges off the tee?
Thanks
Bob
Bob, great questions right here. We like to see a 60-40 split at address for all clubs…why? Because it is the movement of pressure, the “unweighting” that creates good tempo in the takeaway. Now, you are correct, at impact the pressure distribution will be different for each club. The shorter the club, the more pressure on the lead foot at impact, the longer the club the more even your pressure will be. Make sense?