Shaft and Clubface Impact Alignments

So far in 2010, our newsletters have addressed key impact alignments. January focused on how improving hip action can improve the impact position. February highlighted the shoulders and their responsibilities in the impact position. The March tip was all about the hand and wrist alignments at impact. This month, the focus will shift to the golf club itself, and specifically the alignments of the shaft and the clubface at impact. The purpose of the newsletters in the first four months of 2010 is to highlight the differences between address and impact.

When addressing the ball, the clubface should be square to the back of the ball. Also, the leading edge of the club needs to be perpendicular to the target line so that the clubface is correctly aimed at your target. However, the alignment of the clubface and leading edge of the golf club change at impact due to the path of the orbiting clubhead in the down stroke. Because the sweet spot of the clubface must orbit to the ball from inside the target line, the clubface is square to the back inside quadrant of the ball at impact. The clubface appears to be open at impact, but with educated hands and proper rotation of the body, the clubface ends up square to the target line at separation. I will save the release for next month's newsletter.

With regards to the alignment of the shaft in the full swing, the handle, or grip, of the club is even with the ball 90% of the time at address. However, at impact, the handle should beat the shaft and clubhead back to the golf ball. The shaft needs to lean forward 100% of the time at impact. In order to hit a golf ball with an accelerating alignment, the shaft must lean forward at the initial point of contact.

A key point to note when discussing the clubface and shaft is there is a difference between the initial point of contact (Impact) and separation (when the ball leaves the clubface). This tip is about impact, not separation.


Ted Frick

Shaft and Clubface at address:
The clubface is perpendicular to the target line and the shaft is in a neutral position.
Ted Frick

Shaft and Clubface approaching impact:
The clubface is approaching the inside quadrant of the golf ball and the shaft is in an accelerating position leaning toward the target.


In conclusion, the clubface is square to the back of the ball at address, and at impact, the clubface is square to the back inside quadrant of the golf ball. At address, the shaft is in a neutral condition, and at impact, there is a definite forward lean to the shaft. Next month, we will focus on swinging down and out with forearm roll.

Ted Frick

Ted Frick
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
Owner / Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School (Located at Legends Resort)
P.O. Box 50955 Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-5560
1-800-827-2656
[email protected]
www.classicswing.com

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