I came across this video from one of my favorite YouTube tutorial channels. If you enjoy learning the “why” behind the golf swing, I suggest you check out Athletic Motion Golf. I found this particularly interesting because of how I learned to play golf and what I’ve seen work with students over the years.
Many amateurs are trained to “stay centered” or “rotate around the spine,” but this video shows how this thinking can destroy power, natural movement, instinct, and alignment. So here’s a look at what Tour pros know about the weight shift and what you can learn from it.
Weight Change vs. Pressure Change: Why the Difference Matters
Before we dive into this deeper, it’s worth understanding the differences between weight displacement and pressure displacement.
- The pressure = where the force is exerted under your feet (invisible without a pressure mat)
- Weight = of your body measure moving side to side – something you can look at the video or in the mirror.
When a tour pro swings, they visibly shift their mass during their swing. This movement causes the pressure to change.
Common amateur mistake: Trying to eliminate movement
Amateur golfers take the idea of ​​”staying focused” and overdo it. They are afraid of swings, so they lock their weight in place and just turn around a fixed center.
The result is usually poor ranking, no ground force, and a weak shot. Tournament players have swing: a slight swing on the backswing and then again on the downswing.
In this particular video, Athletic Motion Golf says you’re closer to being correct if you shift a lot than if you don’t shift at all. I would have to agree. I’ve seen more problems with players who don’t know how to transfer weight than with those who transfer too much.
You can’t fix excessive slippage by eliminating movement altogether. A small, controlled movement is what creates flow and athletic movement.
How Tour Pros Shift Weight
Modern players change inside a small window. For most players it’s only an inch or two, about the width of a golf ball. It’s a small movement, but it’s enough to shift the weight and let the natural order of events follow.
Here’s what it actually looks like:
- The movement starts with a small trigger to the target, then a smooth charge to the side of the track.
- This charge gives you something to push for, just like getting ready to jump.
- As the swing changes direction, you naturally center yourself back to where you started.
- From there, your weight flows forward, helping the side of the club move and the club to lift.
You can stay mostly focused on the ball and shift your weight the same way as any tour pro. When this happens right, 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 it can feel. Instead, spend just a few minutes swinging back and throughno golf balls, no breaks. The idea is to feel your body flow in both directions.
This free-motion rhythm happens because you are moving. You won’t feel this if you are very mechanical with your movement.
Once you’ve got a feel for that movement, add the stretching stick exercise to set your limits.
- Place one stick just outside your trail leg and one outside your lead leg.
- On the backstroke, lightly grease the rear stick – that’s your load.
- As you move, sweep the front stick – that’s your shift.
These “guardrails” keep you moving. They won’t let you wobble and you can still have that sense of center so your low point stays consistent and your contact improves.
Final thoughts
Tour pros vary their weights. If you want to play more like them, make sure you don’t depend too much on the concept of staying focused. You will need movement in your game to get the results you want on the golf course.
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