Coaches often divide the golf swing into a series of positions, sometimes labelled P1 to P10. Breaking the swing down this way makes it easier to understand, analyse on video and improve one part at a time. You don't need perfect positions to play well, but knowing the checkpoints helps you diagnose faults.
Directions are for right-handed golfers.
The ten positions
| Position | Description | Checkpoint |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | Address | Good posture, alignment and ball position. Read golf posture at address |
| P2 | Shaft parallel to the ground in the backswing | Shaft roughly parallel to target line, toe pointing up |
| P3 | Lead arm parallel to the ground in the backswing | Wrists hinged, club roughly on plane. Read wrist hinge in the golf swing |
| P4 | Top of the backswing | Full shoulder turn, lead wrist roughly flat |
| P5 | Lead arm parallel in the downswing | Lower body leading, angles retained |
| P6 | Shaft parallel in the downswing (delivery) | Shaft on plane, hands leading, club approaching from inside |
| P7 | Impact | Hands ahead, weight forward, hips open. Read the impact position |
| P8 | Shaft parallel after impact | Arms extended, toe up |
| P9 | Trail arm parallel in the follow-through | Body rotating, arms folding |
| P10 | Finish | Balanced, chest to target. Read golf follow-through and finish |
How to use the positions
- Film your swing from face-on and down the line. Read golf swing video analysis.
- Pause at each position and compare with the checkpoints.
- Identify the earliest fault.
- Use drills to fix it, often in slow motion through the positions.
- Refilm to check progress.
Common faults by position
- P2: club too far inside or outside. Read golf swing plane explained.
- P4: overswinging or cupped wrist.
- P5 to P6: casting or over-the-top. Read how to release the golf club.
- P7: flipping or early extension. Read how to fix early extension.
- P10: falling back or off balance.
Don't over-analyse
Positions are useful for diagnosis and practice. On the course, focus on target and tempo. Read golf swing thoughts.
Frequently asked questions
What are P positions in golf?
Ten checkpoints dividing the swing from address (P1) to finish (P10).
Which swing position is most important?
Impact, but it's the result of everything before it.
Do good golfers have perfect positions?
No. Good swings vary, but share key features at impact.
How do I check my swing positions?
With video, pausing at each position.
The bottom line
The ten swing positions give you a map of the swing. Use them with video to find and fix the earliest fault, then trust your swing on the course. For more, read golf swing fundamentals.