by PGA Professional Paul Purtzer

PURTZER GOLF ACADEMY SWING TIP - power position at top

June 2004

This tip is on the proper arm extension, weight shift and coiling
of your body, designed to help you hit the ball longer and just as straight or straighter by getting the weight to the middle of the right foot (for right handers) at the completion of your backswing. This will get you in the Power Position at the top.

The best way to do this is by starting with a stance that is the correct width. I wish I could take credit for knowing the correct width of the stance, but I had some great teachers (Craig Williamson, Arch Watkins, Johhny Bulla, Ed Oldfield) thru the years who encouraged me to get the inside of my heels to equal the outside of my shoulders so I could transfer my weight to my right side on the backswing and to the left side on the forward swing and have a powerful swing and be in perfect balance. Ben Hogan recommended to have the width of the stance above for a 5 iron-slighly wider for the longer clubs and slightly narrower for shorter clubs.

Second, I would put pressure on the inside of my right foot and knee before I began my backswing so that it would be difficult to sway as I did not want to get the weight on the outside of my right foot on my backswing.

Finally, I would try to stretch back and turn {not a lift (bending your left arm), twist nor a slide or sway) coiling my body so that on a full swing my weight is 70% or moreon the middle of my right foot at the completion of my backswing. A slower tempo on the back-swing will give you a better chance of getting in the correct position at the top AND a slower move from the top of the backswing starting down will actually give you more power and speed at impact.


As always, I hope this tip will help you play better golf. See a PGA professional if need help with your game.

Swing smooth and hit it long and straight!

Paul

Paul Purtzer, President
PURTZER GOLF
3939 E. Taro Lane
Phoenix, AZ. 85050

602 569-7960
www.purtzergolf.com