x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
3 signs of an elite impact position (and 1 way to improve yours)
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf
Instruction

3 signs of an elite impact position (and 1 way to improve yours)

By: Kelvin Kelley, GOLF Teacher to Watch
February 8, 2022
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email

Wondering what your impact position should look like? Well, wonder no more.

Getty Images

There is nothing more important in golf than the moment you actually hit the golf ball. A good impact position is something every golfer should strive few, and in my opinion, efficiency is the key to finding that impact position for consistency and effortless power.

Last week I wrote about the setup, which can make finding a good impact position much easier. But while setting yourself into a good setup is important, impact is a dynamic movement. Here are a some easy-to-spot ways you can improve yours…

1. Reverse “K” body shape

The proceeding pictures illustrates Nick Faldo with an iron. Highlighted in green shows the lead side of the body has bumped forward from its original position and formed a straight line down the lead side. This has also created a “tuck” in the trailside.

2. Lead shoulder above trail

You will also note the lead shoulder is above the trail shoulder. This also is true with the hip line. The lead hip is above the trail hip, which matches the shoulder line. The trail leg and knee has moved inward creating a tuck look as well.

3. Tucked trail arm

A key feature at impact and through impact is a tucked bent trail arm. The trail arm is slightly below the lead arm and the trail wrist has angle to it. This forms a “pushing motion” through impact, a position to trap the ball through impact for a proper strike.

4. Push swing drill

A great drill to get the feeling for this impact position is to simply practice pushing into an impact bag. Set up to the bag in this desired impact position. Hold your body and swing the club back two feet and return the club into the impact bag. Then push the bag to get the feeling of your arms and body working through impact.

Once you get the feeling for this new impact position start hitting balls focusing on contact. Like learning any new movement, start slow and gradually add speed. First comes form, then contact, then direction, followed by repeatability and speed.

Latest In Instruction

34 minutes ago

3 ball-striking drills every golfer needs to do after a long break

1 day ago

Calling all instructors: Apply to be a GOLF Top 100 Teacher in America!

1 day ago

The grip Scottie Scheffler used to win the PGA could cure your putting yips

1 day ago

Use this hack to ensure a perfect tee height when hitting driver

generic profile image

Golf.com Photographer

Kelvin is a Class A PGA golf professional in San Francisco, California. He has taught at some of the top golf clubs in the Bay Area, which include The Olympic Club and Sonoma Golf Club. He is TPI certified and certified Callaway and Titleist club fitter. Kelvin has sought advice and learned under several of the top instructors in the game, including Alex Murray and Scott Hamilton.

Kelvin works with his students to develop an efficient golf swing. A swing that is repeatable, powerful and will strive under pressure. He welcomes golfers of all skill levels however is geared towards the more committed golfer. Besides swing and short game instruction, Kelvin is an expert in on and off the course coaching. This includes mental preparation, developing practice routines and course strategizing.

Related Articles

News
nick faldo stands with trevor immelman

Trevor Immelman shares how he found out he was replacing Nick Faldo on CBS

By: Zephyr Melton
News
ian baker finch nick faldo

Nick Faldo receives emotional farewell from CBS Golf team in final broadcast

By: James Colgan
News
Nick Faldo won't be headed to LIV.

Nick Faldo squashes LIV rumors, says Greg Norman wouldn't want him anyway

By: Dylan Dethier
News
Nick Faldo broadcast booth

Why Nick Faldo says Brooks Koepka might regret his LIV Golf deal

By: Jessica Marksbury
News
nick faldo broadcast

Nick Faldo retiring from CBS Golf analyst role, network names replacement

By: James Colgan
News
Nick Faldo, Jim Nantz

Nick Faldo slams Saudi tour and its players; Jim Nantz feels ‘betrayal’

By: Nick Piastowski
Instruction
Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus

Nick Faldo's guide to putting has 4 steps. Jack Nicklaus would add another.

By: Nick Piastowski
Instruction
Nick Faldo hits drive

The fascinating Nick Faldo-Jack Nicklaus shot shaping debate, explained

By: Luke Kerr-Dineen
News
Nick Faldo, Jim Nantz, Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo disagree — over a key piece of course management

By: Nick Piastowski
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version