The golf swing has lots of elements and “check points” that it can drive a person crazy when trying to put it all together.

But one thing that’s often forgotten about in the golf swing is where the head position should be, since it actually varies depending on what type of shot you’re hitting.

For instance, did you know that many of your mishits can be directly attributed to your head position? If not, than you’re likely forgetting about this important aspect.

To help explain where the head position should be on different types of golf shots, the Rainmakers Golf crew asked top-ranked golf teacher Mark Hackett to explain. So check out his golf tips below.

Where Should Your Head Position Be in the Golf Swing? This Guide Explains

So, really, how important is your head position in the golf swing? Well, 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus once claimed that understanding it is the “the most important thing” when it comes to hitting good, consistent shots. If that’s not validation, what is?

When I asked Hackett to elaborate on the head’s importance in the golf swing, he dived deeper into it.

“If you have a problem with hitting either fat shots or thin shots with your wedges, it’s because the head (and weight) are generally leaning back,” Hackett told me. “This causes the low point of the club to hit the ground before the ball.”

While most golfers just assume it’s always the weight causing the chunks or thinned shots with wedges, Hackett says it could actually be poor head positioning — and offers up a solution to fix it.

“So the key to fix this is getting both the head and the center of mass ahead of the ball at address, which helps keep the weight forward and allows for the ability to rotate the body through the shot and towards the target,” he says.

OK, but what about a longer club like a driver, right? Where should the head position be when trying to bomb tee shots? Hackett says it should be opposite from your wedge shots, with the head being more forward.

“When you’re using the driver, you want to hit the ball on more of the upswing — which helps produce more launch,” Hackett explains.

Be careful not to get too far forward with your head positioning, though, and rely on using some side bend to help achieve the perfect medium.

“Generally, people tend to get their head too far forward, so, instead, we need to create a little bit of side bend on the trail side,” Hackett adds. “To get this feel, run your trail hand down to the top of your trail knee in your setup, which gives you a little bit more tilt and the ability to hit up on the ball.”

With a newfound focus on your head position in the golf swing, you’ll stay more balanced from the backswing through impact, allowing you to make crisper, cleaner contact.

Looking for more golf tips and golf lessons? Subscribe to Rainmakers Golf Club on YouTube for all your instruction and game-improvement needs.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the Golf section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.