Malaska Golf // Shift Your Weight is a Bad Idea - Golf Swing Basics

I get this question when I talk to people about the shift in forces in your golf swing. Players think that if they're trying to shift their weight from right to left, they're going to be able to generate more speed. This is not the case. You're not shifting your weight in your golf swing. There is no shift in body mass. You are shifting force from your right to your left, and you are pushing away from the force of the golf club as you move through impact.
Give your mind a better task and you will see better results.
Don't just play golf. Understand it.
Become a member at malaskagolf.com and follow The M-System to learn step-by-step to develop the skills you need to become a complete player.

[@josephreeves3145]

I am 74 and only started playing again after I retired at age 71 having only played about a dozen times in 25 years. My Handicap in 2017 was 36, that was embarrassing. I started watching Mike's KZbin videos in early 2019 and at that time my Handicap was down to 26. I am now down to 19 and i am enjoying the game again and looking forward to getting down to 15 this year with Mike's help. Thanks Mike

[@Murf1802]

You know I see 25 thumbs down total ignorance,, that stated I just got back from the driving range in New York long island ,,, I've watched numerous videos on Mike's teachings and I have to tell ya I had zero zero tention in my upper half shoulders arms hands like he said to do and I've never ever hit the ball so pure it was absolutely incredible,, I said to myself no way that just happened no way ,,, but went at it again and same result I can't believe it I can hit the ball with that feeling absolutely loveing it !!!! Ty Soo much Mr. M / Mike outstanding job teaching and figuring this out !!!

[@rickroy4556]

This Gentleman is the master of all masters with his golf knowledge; over the past couple years I have saved his videos and I constantly review them. It has dramatically improved all aspects of my game. Many, Many thanks!!!!

[@theonlyjerid]

Agree 💯

[@SuperDieseldriver]

Mike makes more sense than any other coach 👍

[@kooijbas]

This was an aha moment for me. And I finally really 'get' want you're saying when you say 'push away'.

[@Cue521]

I’ve watched many golf videos for a few years now and you are the best instructor hands down! Your simple explanations always give me the aha moment. Handicap definitely will drop once courses open up again. Thank you Mike! Stay safe!

[@thomasholt9202]

Mike, where in the world have you been. The MOST gratifying thing about your "teachings" is your explanations of the concepts that you've been taught, tried to use, and which, in the end, hurt your golf game. I'm 71, been (trying) to play golf with all the "instructions and advice" for 40+ years. Spent a TON of money on it as well. To keep this short, been watching your instructions for about 3 weeks now and have made significant improvements. (I'm a pretty "spry" 71-year-old and you can teach and "ole dog". Thank you, Tom

[@ajbeauford1328]

These simple tips Mike has talked about has helped me get back to playing golf the proper way.

[@conquercorona7725]

Be safe Mike. Keep teaching and making us better golfers, thank you!

[@jasonfromthebay6282]

This is the best video and explanation of some bad habits for most amateur golfers. Thank you Malaska! ⛳🏌️‍♂️💫

[@DrDD-pw8wn]

Excellent, that's the best explanation I've ever heard about this. My best shots are when I feel that "mass" at the end of my club from start to finish "pulling opposite of me. That's the "force vector" and when you hit the ball, you feel nothing. When you fight it, things go bad, very bad. You can only have one coach instructing you, you're it. Thanks!!!!

[@dc3412]

You are by far one of the top best instructors I have heard thank you for not lying and giving us solid information

[@hengo6855]

Looking forward to the video with the 7 to 8 most destructive messages of the industry👍 As Jack said ... I love this channel!

[@davemack]

What a great insight that is from the GOAT. This explains the differences between reverse pivot, weight shift and pressure shift brilliantly Thanks so much.

[@jonq8714]

Yet another light bulb video.... so good. Thanks Mike.

[@robsaxepga]

Swing a 1/2 full bucket of water with an extended arm without spilling any. Pay attention to what your body must do to make that happen = golf swing.

[@davidyarborough814]

An old Harvey Penick drill.

[@robsaxepga]

@@davidyarborough814 old?? OLD?? I guess I did give myself away there lol

[@Chadchampion1234]

@@robsaxepga hahahaha

[@chrisgreene1456]

As a beginner this is great. My body did this naturally and I thought it was wrong.. your description of hip actions moving back, not sideways, cleared this up. Look forward to the head vid. Your explanations are clear, concise and capture my attention. Thanks.

[@unknownsandbagger6721]

Thank you for this video Mike. What a great explanation to the horrific teachings of many as to how you need to transfer weight. Moving forces is so much different.

[@alimatte1]

Hi hi hi....fantastic. Very well explain. Thank you for taking this game to heart.

[@timkathsmith]

Mike, your stuff is saving me. I only wish I saw the light 30 years ago. Your “hips and the pivot points” explanation cured me after years of early extension. And this makes so much sense. It’s a shame that well-meaning teachers blindly lead their students down the road of frustration. Thanks!

[@millerjeff]

I'm so glad I stopped reading all of the golf magazines. And stopped listening to golf instruction on TV. So confusing. Keep your head still and don't sway. Oh and don't build any tension in your swing. Thank you Mike for breaking it down.

[@dsquick]

Every time I try something from your videos it just works.... thank you for sharing your knowledge on the internet!!

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@sabinodelrosario188]

Great explanation thanks!! Mike.

[@JohnMichaelShaw]

Oh...forgot...Mike is incredibly knowledgeable about biomechanics...and golf, of course. Awesome instructor...best I've seen online.

[@jackgriggs805]

Mike, I watched your videos for quite a while then veered off to someone else🥺. Big mistake!! I’ve been back for a few weeks and already playing much better again. Thank you for your great instructions!!! So simple.

[@Griot19]

This is good. I’ve struggled with this.

[@michaelschmidt6548]

This is what put my ball striking on cruise control. I don't have to practice near as much and hit the ball better than when I practiced all the time. Here is MY secret....Where ever my shoulders stop in my backswing I push left foot to help hold my shoulders where they stopped. This gives me time to get my hands down and then everything just goes. On video obviously, they don't completely stop but it is enough to delay over the top. You then start to get that feeling Mike talks about....Over the top from the inside.

[@ericdumont610]

Gary Player was never to bad with the walk through, and won many majors.

[@mikehaynes1769]

Lee no need to be nasty. Eric makes a very valid point. If you can’t respond in kind, let it go.

[@ericdumont610]

@Lee fuckoff.

[@ericdumont610]

@@mikehaynes1769 thanks Mike, just want to tell you about myself and my golf, I'm 65 at the moment and have been playing golf for the last 40 years, currently playing off a 4 handicap in the UK, but lived in South Africa till the age of 58 and before coming to the UK played off a +3 on the mini tours in SA, I have tried many swings in my life time and love Mike's method of teaching, but it surely is not the only way of hitting a ball.All methods in golf are difficult for a high handicapper to learn, firstly because the hate to practice and want things to quickly, and if what they learned does not work it gets discarded instantly, anyway that's all I wanted to say to you, and thanks for defending me.

[@adrian0seven495]

wow.. this is the Wisdom advise. stay true Coach 🙏🙏🙏

[@ottawapop]

This is pure gold. Thanks so much

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@robchapman3514]

After 4 months of practice till my body ached I was still struggling to get back to my lead side leading to inconsistent striking, fat, thin, topped shots. This simple explanation and demonstration of shifting force led to a dramatic improvement in ball striking and a handicap that is heading in the right direction.

[@anthonyviola9400]

Like your tug a war analogy! Makes total sense! Thanks

[@NonnyStrikes]

Stack and tilt changed my life. Keep my weight forward gave me the sensation I needed. It's a simplified golf swing, and boy does it do wonders when you start hitting shot after shot with the same flight, path, and control. I know a lot of people scoff at s&t still, but I truly believe the pros are "shifting" to s&t. Just by watching them, I can see the same thing over and over again.

[@theoskylar3287]

You probably dont care at all but does any of you know of a way to log back into an instagram account? I somehow lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me!

[@foxeverett8164]

@Theo Skylar Instablaster =)

[@theoskylar3287]

@Fox Everett I really appreciate your reply. I got to the site on google and Im trying it out atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@theoskylar3287]

@Fox Everett it worked and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thanks so much, you saved my ass !

[@foxeverett8164]

@Theo Skylar you are welcome :)

[@eJunkee]

Excellent comparison between weight shift and force. Another way I explain this is step on a scale with one leg, now almost half your body weight should display on the scale. Now push off the foot on the scale and the digits/number should go up!! That's Force. More powerful than weight. You legs generate pressure which generates force.

[@zatoichi-sm8mj]

mike the best teacher

[@glennwatson3313]

My swing has improved, but lately I've topped shots too often. I didn't know why until I realized I was swaying to the right in the back-swing . My solution was to kink my right knee in a bit at setup. This prevents the sway, but it does make it more difficult to rotate the hips and honestly it hurts my knee a little bit. Still my shots are more consistent. Yesterday I hit 16 good solid shots in a row.

[@bobsantiago8103]

Thanks for this great lesson Mike. I have a question in regard to improving one's balance through the golf swing specifically with the hips/pelvis. When involving the core muscles in the swing, I notice some tendency for the hips to stiffen because of the involvement of the muscles above (core) and below (legs) it. When this happens (stiffening of the hip muscles), it somehow throws me off my balance (or it could be something else affecting it) in my effort to hold it after my follow through. I tried to exert a conscious to relax my hips and it kind of helped maintain balance but it's sure is a challenge to keep doing it because I have not heard/watched any article/video that support it.

[@GermanBullitt]

Dear Mike! What are you thinking about the swingconcept of Mike Austin? He said, the swing is a shift and a turn. After following his swing method, i got much better without backpain .

[@irwanmarzuan4910]

BRILLIANT.... BRILLIANT....BRILLIANT...!!!

[@toddvorhies9987]

Mike - big fan of your coaching. With regard to spine/axis and weight/force shifting, I'm wondering your thoughts on Mike Austin's concept of the compound pivot. Shifting your spine angle back and posting up slightly on the backswing while maintaining head position (like a bell). This feels good because it seems to accomplish the force transfer back. It also balances or mirrors the hip action after impact and provides a nice powerful squat position at impact. It feels like it also limits how deep you can rotate your hips going back and maintains loading with the shoulders. Let's see a video that compares tilted Austin's compound pivot vs a deeper flat Nicholas/Malaska pivot!!

[@JohnMichaelShaw]

I've just started trying this. It's going to take some time because of everything Mike said about what teaching pro's normally teach...old school stuff. Mike's noting that every throwing and hitting motion in every sport is the same...you always are moving forward while the arm is still going back...basically from the very start of the throw, swing, or hit. When I'm doing it right, from the beginning of the backswing I'm already going forward. Cute trick cause it feels bassackwards. BUT it's the correct way to generate tons of force. I want to feel only forward force from beginning to end...which is strange if you've been doing the weight transfer thing. It's going to take at least couple of weeks to get this concept because it makes a tempo change necessary...and you have to have the balls to trust it's gonna work. When I do it right...effortless distance, crisp hits...feels the same as throwing a baseball or a serve in tennis. Wanna see a great example of how it's done? Lee Trevino... Sorry for my blathering lol

[@Borkybaby]

Mike I love your coaching. You explain stuff so well!!! I could watch you do swings the whole video :) id love a video of you doing a range session. But keep up the great work coach

[@TheCampsies]

Gary Player brought out a book some time ago called Golf begins at Fifty.In this tuition he advocated a 'walk through ' golf swing for seniors. The idea never really took off, I remember trying the technique, but didn't reap any rewards. I then moved on to the next great thing, whatever that was, at the time. Mike is excellent.

[@johncreet1254]

Would love to see the video you said you might do about the worst concepts.

[@6-4-3gaming3]

I’m getting used to and understanding more what you mean on how the right hand works. It’s making a huge difference in my swing. Can you do more on that?

[@barking_mad6649]

Great example of how words, thoughts, feels and terms are very different things. See 'bump the hips' - has anything caused so much trouble for the amateur golf swing?!

[@johnbak9395]

John B. Mike when I go right I bend my right elbow to over swing,left After I hit the ball I don’t finish. What am I doing wrong? Help

[@ilcurandero]

Top !!!

[@Martinsdiy]

I have been messing around with the feeling of staying loaded on the front foot. Feel and real are 2 different concepts for most people out there including me. The feeling of staying forward seems to stop the sway but when watching a video back its clear the force/weight still transfers but the body stays centered and contact is better more consistent.

[@MichaelShinosky]

There is some swaying off the ball. Between 1 and 3-4 inches by the elites. The swing has to start some how right? You don't just pick up the club. Early pressure into the left foot(before downswing)is key I think though. Holding load in left foot is ok to get the idea but that right side needs to load. Don't want the stack and tilt motion entirely. Think throwing a baseball: You don't stay loaded on the left foot or you couldn't throw the ball without backing out of the throw. Force has to be generated somehow to resist against it. Coming off the ball a touch gets the swing moving after a slight forward press.

[@sebbyelvis9287]

I'm definitely confused by weight shift but, this has helped 👍🏌️‍♂️⛳

[@sebbyelvis9287]

Also Mike, I try so hard to do the swing you teach but I just can't master it. I've watched all of your videos to help me with this but, my golf is still inconsistent. I will keep watching until I get it 👍🏌️‍♂️⛳

[@malone77]

If you need help with weight shift and how it should work I suggest watching zen golf mechanics channel

[@sebbyelvis9287]

@@malone77 yeh i like their content 👍

[@tedblaikie1580]

Hi Mike, nearly right but the total force (pressure summed up over foot area) acting up on your feet can and, in a good swing, will exceed your weight. Just think what happens when you jump. If the total force on your feet did not exceed your weight you would never leave the ground. You need a net upwards force acting on your body’s centre of gravity if it is to move upward relative to the ground. Your body has inertia or resistance to being moved. If large forces are applied to the body during the swing for a very short time the inertia of the body can resist the forces without significant movement. At impact, the centrifugal force acting along the shaft and pulling your hands towards the ball is about the weight of a bag of cement (40 kg or 100 lb for a driver with a club head speed of 100 mph). If this force acted for a long time it would pull you flat on your face but as it is applied only for a few 1/100’s of second you hardly notice it.

[@seanmates5574]

Any chance you can do a video using a medicine ball to show how the forces work in the golf swing? Especially how the left leg and hip work to move backward to let the club whip by?

[@LightningDogg]

I would think you would need to have Nicklaus' timing to get maximum force at contact and then lean back. That came from hitting tens (or hundreds) of thousands of balls. Having that thought in my head would just add to the others that have ruined what little bit of swing I used have. What am I missing here?

[@Shashankr08]

Hi, can I feel pressure inside of my right (trial) bum and thigh and then inside of my left bum an thigh?? It helps with longer clubs but does it help with short irons?? I feel the need to steeper for short irons. Please reply. Thanks

[@glennwatson3313]

I saw Nicholas working with a golf coach once and Nicholas said anyone could be a good golfer. This golf coach then said that was not true. Nicholas was flabbergasted.

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

I played Rancho Park a couple months ago I am a decent golfer but getting older! I was hitting my drive on a hole and was falling back as I released the club and I did a wrist move to save the shot! 69 yds from pin! So I hear what mike was saying about Jack! Only problem is Jack was 5-11 now 5-8 yikes

[@13DiBartolomeo]

Great lesson Mike. Thx. Dom

[@13DiBartolomeo]

Like the idea of making a video of the 7 or 8 worst things to do. Good idea. Thx. Dom

[@MM-zb9kc]

What about the Stack and Tilt method?

[@roeydaz]

Nice video sir, by the way weight is also a force, mass x acc due to gravity. But I get the general idea.

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@Burkeyboy77]

I wish I would've know that 15 years ago!

[@robertburrows4023]

Me too. I really wish I had known him when I was15. He is a brilliant teacher.

[@laflare1297]

I.... love you

[@kipkapper3014]

malaska is a bright guy.

[@barryhunnel2420]

He teaches guys that are already proficient at their swing. For weekenders and once a monthers Saguto stack and Tilt videos are much easier to understand as you only have one swing thought ::: place pressure on your target leg and swing away. Great ball compression and accuracy. To much messin around with Mike and Milo for my swim and a lot of people I know play golf when they can afford to.

[@311hitwall]

Do you push off with the inside portion of your right foot?

[@hardrockminer-50]

It seems to me it's a center of mass thing. If weight is shifted, my center of mass is shifted right of the right foot . Seems to be better to keep center of mass centered between the feet and use the leverage (force x distance) to create club head speed.

[@MrBarrynicholas]

Why can’t the pressure move to the left as you show at 2:36....that is in fact the basis of stack and tilt. A system that works for many golfers.

[@wally6193]

I have a question about Jack, what in his swing caused him to need a left hip replacement? Great videos, thanks.

[@Mr.mallaer]

He insisted in keeping his head still, which caused unnecessary pressures due to torque on his spine. Head should do what feels natural. It doesn’t need to be still.

[@wally6193]

@@Mr.mallaer , Mil, okay you mentioned his spine, what about his left hip replacement. How did torque in his spine damage his left hip socket, yet not damage his back?

[@inquistive]

#MalaskaGolf - what are your thoughts of breaking through the wall with your left side at impact as many other videos advocate?

[@waltdesiderio9581]

At the 4:00 minute mark, he says, “Right, left, stabilize, push away.” After that, he repeats right, left, push away several times, but doesn’t mention “stabilize” before pushing away. What’s involved in stabilizing before pushing away?

[@pdub2762]

💪

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@kevinwagnair4482]

Shift ur weight = over the top?

[@stevesmith3890]

So after decades of trying to keep the hips still and load the right thigh on the backswing (x-factor) I've been trying to let my right hip turn back as shown. I'm 67 and it has increased my power but I'm killing my right knee. If my right foot is planted and my right hip turns away how do I not torque the right knee?

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@donjr.m]

That walk through drill messed me up. Malaska Golf help me swing pure

[@davet2625]

Remember also, you might weigh 200lbs, but throughout the swing that weight changes - so if you squat and thrust upwards, you 'weigh' more than 200lbs as you begin that thrust, and less when you nearly come off your feet.

[@stickgs]

Big weight shifter = Jimmy Ballard?

[@thomaslahr9022]

Gears doesn’t lie.

[@jeffcaminiti162]

As good of a player that Gary Player was, he would have been a horrible instructor. Great video here

[@lindakilgore2298]

Opposing forces...click.

[@jamesreed9672]

Bobby Jones said he never saw a good player make @ weight shift.

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@lesliewoodcock5880]

To train the forces I have found tremendous success by throwing junior footballs underhanded in tight spirals with my eyes closed. You will easily feel the forces in the left leg and the relaxed hands and forearms as they drop, just before release.

[@Badfinger4]

Gary Player dislikes this video.

[@malaskagolf5928]

Comment Appreciated✔️ W..h..a..t.s..A..p..p +1,,......,,(8,......,,7,,,.....2),,,.......8,,...,,...7,,......,,7,,....,,...(6,,,.......,2,...,,.. 0,......,,,7, Tell harry I referred you........

[@ironsideeve2955]

Er that’s straight up wrong… if ur moving force ur moving weight and vice versa. Force = mass x acceleration…

[@mikehaynes1769]

I’ve never seen an instructor suggest shifting weight the way Mike does in this video, that’s a silly exaggeration. Weight shift does happen in the golf swing, period. It may be slight, but it has to happen and it does. Beginners & high handicappers are much more likely to leave the weight on their back foot, failing to ‘shift weight’, leading to chunks & tops, than shifting too far forward. Yes, you can shift too much, and more to your point the wrong direction and swaying. But to say that you’re not shifting your weight, only shifting pressure to push the hips back, is very misleading.

[@bertleenen1724]

Not to me, it is...

[@Godisnotjesus1967]

Biggest misunderstanding in teaching is......you teach a concept for power to hit ball 280+yds(driver). Most players should understand this only apply for......2 iron.....1iron....5w...3w....driver. You need bsically 4 different "types" of swings to play golf. Long......medium....Wedge.....Putt swings. If you hit your 3iron with same swing you using for 7iron....you will see the diffance(difference in distance).....is maybe 20 yds if not less. The myth of each iron covering +- 12 yds is misleading. I found swinging 7,6,5,4 irons does NOT cover 155 to 210yds...not even close. Unless you are custom fitted and the shaft length from club to club is 1inch plus.....versus half inch which is modern standard. Hybrids is the future.

[@johnrmirez5261]

I was looking to take some lessons with you but 400 an hour cmon man

[@jefffawcett]

JOHN RMIREZ Don’t confuse him with your standard instructor who makes a living spending hours a day teaching individual students he moved past that 20 years ago. When you’re directing national golf academy, on the TaylorMade advisory board, teaching touring pros and having Kenny G fly in to stay at your guest house for personal instruction there’s zero need or time to teach regular Joes. I got to go to a cocktail party at his house, he’s got though coolest place ever with his own studio with all the simulators and track man and swing fitting stuff and a zillion clubs, plus a miniature chipping course that weaves in and around the pool and water features.

[@andersdannstedt6022]

And a driver costs 495. I think one hour with him will help you more than a new driver.

[@bobseamann7253]

He’s wrong. Center gravity shifts to inside of right foot then back to left. He’s just using “force/pressure”…that’s a weight shift. It’s an athletic motion he’s trying to redefine.

[@MARTIN-pm7qc]

Shawn Clement in a recent video said you have a lot wrong!

[@dannyalexander7381]

MARTIN , who is Shawn Clement, wonder if he ever worked with Jack Nicklaus or coach Jacks son ???

[@shawnpiche3055]

watch Carl Rabito not confusing than this, guy it should be against the law for him to make golf lesson videos!!!Again to fix the root problem go to Carl Rabito, “ Lessons that work”!!!

[@mrflhx2009]

this is nothing new it's called the reverse c finish

[@marcussheldon8717]

If you follow this you want your head looking at. This will only encourage you to hit fat and thin shots. Mike is saying the opposite to every one else to get you to follow his channel. They make shit loads of money on advertising. So use your head. Follow Mike Austin's methods and you would not look at any other channel. Good luck

[@barryhunnel2420]

Saguto Golf takes care of all your swing needs.

[@ebttt]

I respect you for all your knowledge. But I'm annoyed with you play around with language. This only will confuse more people. Just teach what right. I weigh 126 and I walked through my swing. I carry my driver 265 not roll out. And I am a scratch golfer. I walked through because the momentum of my Golf Club pull me through.

[@einstu]

What a waste of time. Just Mike talking about what not to do.