- The flower of the golf swing is the impact... the clubhead must meet the ball precisely
- "The swing exists for the brief impact moment, which lasts just 1/5000th of a second"
- The distance the clubhead travels while contacting the ball is only 3 cm
- If you can't master this 3 cm, you won't hit long shots and your accuracy will be off
- Understanding the importance of this 3 cm improved my green accuracy and direction control
- "Every part of the golf swing is a preparation for the correct impact"
- "To achieve a precise impact, you should aim to create a divot in front of the ball"
- Avoid casting and scooping actions... here are eight key points for impact
The essence of a golf swing is the impact. Among the different phases of a golf shot—address, backswing, downswing, impact, follow-through, and finish—the impact phase is crucial for sending the ball straight and far. No matter how good the other phases of your swing are, a poor impact will result in a poor shot. Conversely, golfers who consistently hit the ball accurately at impact can achieve good scores even with less-than-perfect swings. This is why impact is often referred to as the "flower of the golf swing.“
Today, let's delve into the impact phase of the golf swing. Golf journalist Lee Jong-dal clearly summarizes the importance of impact in his book "Three-Minute Lessons." He states, "The swing is designed for the brief moment of impact, which lasts just 1/5000th of a second. During impact, the clubhead travels a distance of less than 3 cm while in contact with the ball. If the ball doesn't fly correctly or loses direction, it's because this 3 cm was not properly controlled. For the clubhead to consistently pass through this 3 cm towards the target, it must move in a straight line."
When I first learned that the essence of impact lies within such a brief moment and a mere 3 cm, I was quite shocked. Many teaching pros had told me that the impact zone was around 20-30 cm, and I had taken that as gospel. While the exact duration of impact can vary depending on a golfer's strength, I wanted to see for myself if the impact zone was truly only 3 cm. So, I visited a screen golf facility. Upon reviewing the slow-motion video of my shots, I confirmed that the impact zone was indeed not 20-30 cm.
Since that day, whenever I grip a club, I continually remind myself, "The impact zone is 3 cm!" During my swings, I focus on minimizing lateral (sway) and vertical (up-and-down) movements of my lower body to ensure that the impact zone remains steady. Perhaps because of this, although I sometimes produce poor shots by hitting down on the ball too aggressively with my driver in an attempt to maximize distance, I have managed to control severe slices and hooks. Naturally, my iron shots' green-in-regulation rate has improved as well. For me, realizing the importance of the "3 cm impact zone" has been a revelation.
Regarding accurate impact, I would like to share some lessons from professional golfer Kim Hae-chun, author of the "Golf Big Book." He explains, "The only moment in a golf swing that directly touches the ball is the impact. Therefore, you could say that every part of the golf swing is preparation for the correct impact. Generally, when hitting longer clubs like woods or long irons, good results can be achieved without creating a divot. However, when using shorter clubs than mid-irons, creating an appropriate divot is indicative of a good impact. If the divot is made before the ball, it results in a fat shot, but if it is made after the ball, it signifies a good shot." Kim emphasizes that for an accurate impact, the divot should be in front of the ball, not behind it.
Additionally, Kim emphasizes that to achieve accurate impact, golfers must avoid casting and scooping movements. Casting occurs when the wrists are released prematurely, while scooping happens when the right wrist bends as if scooping ice cream. To prevent casting, he advises maintaining wrist cock longer during the downswing, known as a late hit. To avoid scooping, the hands must be ahead of the ball at impact.
Kim also outlines eight key points for achieving a precise and powerful impact:
① Shoulders are parallel to the target line or slightly open.
② Hips are open at about 30-40 degrees.
③ The left arm is straight, and the left wrist is flat.
④ The hands are slightly ahead of the ball at impact.
⑤ Weight is more than 80% on the left foot.
⑥ The right heel is slightly raised.
⑦ The right elbow is slightly bent and directed towards the right pocket.
⑧ The clubface is perpendicular to the target line.
Today, we have explored the impact motion, which is the most critical factor in determining the trajectory of a golf shot.
The Story of Maudae’s life and golf continues.
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