The Loop

#HelpMeGolfDigest: Shaun Webb fixes your weight shift and head movement

August 21, 2014

When PGA Tour player David Toms decided to open a golf academy in his hometown of Shreveport, La., he entrusted the chief teaching job to Shaun Webb -- a Maine native with extensive experience using cutting-edge training tools, such as the K-Vest and TrackMan, and who had certification with the Titleist Performance Institute. Webb has also worked with tour players such as Yani Tseng, Peter Hanson and Morgan Hoffman through his affiliation with the academy run by Top 50 teacher Gary Gilchrist in Florida.

This week, Webb reviewed a handful of swings submitted by GolfDigest.com readers through Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #HelpMeGolfDigest. The first comes from @jmsurma, who has a strong swing but needs to clean up some extraneous motion.

"As the club reaches the top of the swing and before you change direction into the downswing, feel your weight shifting into your left side," Webb says. "By the time the left arm reaches parallel in the downswing, you should feel at least 70 percent of your weight on your left foot, and continue to move it more left as you finish the swing."

The third swing comes from @ryan_cast, who produces plenty of speed but has to make some in-swing compensations.

"The swing is a very dynamic motion with a lot of great elements," Webb says. "At address, you have your right forearm higher than your left, which puts you in an open position and hurts the consistency of your takeaway. Even them out, and and at the top of your backswing, make sure you let your hips and right thigh rotate to the right more, which will put you in better position to push off and generate power. It will also prevent your lower body from out-racing your upper body as you move toward impact."

Keep hashtagging those videos #HelpMeGolfDigest and watch for the next round of swing analysis next week.