Athletic Motion Golf- The Podcast · Mike Granato and Shaun Webb

90% of Golf Instructors Teach This Impact Myth (And It’s Ruining Your Swing)

·24 min·2 clips

A famous coach estimates 90% of instructors still teach impact on the wrong side of the body, frustrating golfers for decades.

This episode examines the common golf instruction that impact occurs with the hands on the lead side of the body, which the hosts argue is a widespread misconception. Hosts Shaun Webb and Mike Napoleon of Athletic Motion Golf use motion capture data to analyze professional swings. They contend that for a right-handed golfer, impact actually happens with the hands on the trail side, aligned with the trail hip. The discussion stems from a recent YouTube video titled "The 'Creating Space' Myth is Killing Your Golf Swing." The hosts reference a conversation with an unnamed famous coach who estimated 90% of instructors still teach impact on the "wrong," or lead, side. They explain this creates an illusion on face-on video because the golfer's body is turning away from the target. Trying to force the hands to the lead side often causes golfers to stall their hip rotation. Their data on PGA Tour winners shows a wide range of hip openness at impact, from 12 to 56 degrees. A key insight is that achieving a good impact position does not require extreme physical rotation, but rather a correct conceptual target. They demonstrate that a 45-degree hip turn, where the belt buckle points at the lead big toe, is sufficient and attainable for most golfers, including those in their 70s and 80s. The hosts argue the "pro swing" motion, with impact on the trail side, is actually a simpler and shorter travel distance for the hands than the commonly taught method. They state that as golfers improve, certain movements disappear because they do not allow for consistent face-to-path control and center-face contact. The episode presents the view that while golfers look different, the underlying mechanics of the best players are remarkably similar, likening it to different car models having similarly operating engines. They emphasize that objectively measuring movements, rather than relying on feel or preference, is crucial for effective instruction. One host shares a personal revelation, noting he now rehearses a feel of his arms being farther behind him to promote better body rotation. The tone is educational and conversational, blending technical data with practical coaching advice. The hosts express frustration with the prevalence of what they see as incorrect instruction but frame their mission as helping golfers by providing measurable information. Golfers struggling with inconsistent ball striking or who feel confused by traditional impact instructions would find this episode valuable. Listeners who prefer a purely feel-based or non-technical approach to golf instruction might find the detailed biomechanical discussion less engaging.

As heard by us

A blunt correction to a common impact myth, with a simple logic chain that sticks.

The segment makes a firm case that impact belongs on the trail side of the body, not the lead side, and that a face-on view can fool golfers by making the hands seem farther forward than they are.

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