Coach Carolin from Performance Golf debunks the myth that forward shaft lean should be preset at setup. She explains that true shaft lean and ball compression are dynamic results of shifting your core and weight toward the target during the downswing. Using a narrow stance drill, she demonstrates how to improve transition and ensure the iron bottoms out after the ball for more powerful shots.
Avoid forcing a 'forward press' at setup; shaft lean should be created dynamically during the swing.
The position of your core relative to the handle determines the shaft angle at impact.
A weight shift toward the lead foot naturally leans the shaft forward, whereas 'spinning out' or staying back causes the shaft to lean away.
Practicing with a narrow stance prevents you from feeling stagnant and makes weight shift more intuitive.
At the finish, almost all your weight should be on your lead foot, leaving the trail foot as 'decoration' only.