Would You Rather…?

**WillieT** · May 21, 2022

Would You Rather # 50

This one is based on something I deal with each time I swing the club. For me it’s a transmet amputation / skin grafts on the left (lead) foot from a motorcycle wreck. Likewise we have all heard about Tiger’s struggle with his rebuilt right ankle / leg since his wreck. I am sure he feels it on every swing. So here’s the question- Would you rather:

(1) Have to deal with a lead foot you cannot fully load (get weight forward).

or

(2) Have to deal with a trail foot/leg you cannot fully load (get weight back) to push off.

**David L Yskes** · May 21, 2022

1 hour ago, WillieT said:

Would You Rather # 50

This one is based on something I deal with each time I swing the club. For me it’s a transmet amputation / skin grafts on the left (lead) foot from a motorcycle wreck. Likewise we have all heard about Tiger’s struggle with his rebuilt right ankle / leg since his wreck. I am sure he feels it on every swing. So here’s the question- Would you rather:

(1) Have to deal with a lead foot you cannot fully load (get weight forward).

or

(2) Have to deal with a trail foot/leg you cannot fully load (get weight back) to push off.

I think i'd rather have to deal with #2.

Because i think you could find ways to compensate for not being able to fully load up on your trail foot/leg, by lifting weights, lighter driver shaft, and such.. if you loose the ability to put weight on your front leg, you are really limiting what you can do with your swing or trying to make certain shots..

And I've seen plenty of videos on youtube, with instructors doing one leg swing drills, and you are always using your front leg..

**ChetlovesMer** · May 21, 2022

5 hours ago, WillieT said:

Would You Rather # 50

This one is based on something I deal with each time I swing the club. For me it’s a transmet amputation / skin grafts on the left (lead) foot from a motorcycle wreck. Likewise we have all heard about Tiger’s struggle with his rebuilt right ankle / leg since his wreck. I am sure he feels it on every swing. So here’s the question- Would you rather:

(1) Have to deal with a lead foot you cannot fully load (get weight forward).

or

(2) Have to deal with a trail foot/leg you cannot fully load (get weight back) to push off.

Number 2. There's no doubt in my mind.

Having said that I have a friend who had his lead leg amputated from the knee down about 30 years ago. He plays to a single digit and doesn't complain or make any excuses.

***iacas*** · May 21, 2022

5 hours ago, WillieT said:

Would You Rather # 50

This one is based on something I deal with each time I swing the club. For me it’s a transmet amputation / skin grafts on the left (lead) foot from a motorcycle wreck. Likewise we have all heard about Tiger’s struggle with his rebuilt right ankle / leg since his wreck. I am sure he feels it on every swing. So here’s the question- Would you rather:

(1) Have to deal with a lead foot you cannot fully load (get weight forward).

or

(2) Have to deal with a trail foot/leg you cannot fully load (get weight back) to push off.

Since you don't "push off" the trail leg at all, the second thing.

**billchao** · May 21, 2022

6 hours ago, WillieT said:

Would You Rather # 50

This one is based on something I deal with each time I swing the club. For me it’s a transmet amputation / skin grafts on the left (lead) foot from a motorcycle wreck. Likewise we have all heard about Tiger’s struggle with his rebuilt right ankle / leg since his wreck. I am sure he feels it on every swing. So here’s the question- Would you rather:

(1) Have to deal with a lead foot you cannot fully load (get weight forward).

or

(2) Have to deal with a trail foot/leg you cannot fully load (get weight back) to push off.

Second one, easily. I can make swings with my trail foot on a dolly putting very little pressure on it at all.

**WillieT** · May 22, 2022

17 hours ago, WillieT said:

Would You Rather # 50

This one is based on something I deal with each time I swing the club. For me it’s a transmet amputation / skin grafts on the left (lead) foot from a motorcycle wreck. Likewise we have all heard about Tiger’s struggle with his rebuilt right ankle / leg since his wreck. I am sure he feels it on every swing. So here’s the question- Would you rather:

(1) Have to deal with a lead foot you cannot fully load (get weight forward).

or

(2) Have to deal with a trail foot/leg you cannot fully load (get weight back) to push off.

Since I asked , I need to reply. Option 2 for me as option 1 has been what I have had / am having / will have to deal with. The body has its own defense mechanism that say “Oh no you don’t”, so there is a lot of relying on the trail foot to carry the load (hence my “pushing off comment” as I was going all drag car and loading the rear leg (like a dragster does the rear tires) to make the downswing). Learning to trust that I can get decent weight forward has been a tough trail. Thanks to the lessons/advice here, I am slowly getting there.

**Carl3** · May 22, 2022

12 hours ago, ChetlovesMer said:

Number 2. There's no doubt in my mind.

Having said that I have a friend who had his lead leg amputated from the knee down about 30 years ago. He plays to a single digit and doesn't complain or make any excuses.

As a teen I had the opportunity to play with two HC people, who were each missing a leg. The one guy was in his 60's and used a crutch on his lead arm and swung one-handed with his right (trail arm). The flight was low (think of the shaft lean on a swing like that), consistent, and down the middle. I would guess that his carry was about 100 yards, but I think he got a bit of roll.

The next guy was absolutely remarkable. He was playing with his two sons when I caugtht up with him on hole 14. He was in his 40's, barrell-chested, and had one leg that was like a tree trunk. He some how jumped out of the cart hopped up to the tee and put is driver out there, right down the middle and well over 200 yard. I was so flabbergasted I don't recall if he put the tee in the ground himself or if one of his boys did it for him.

Me? I did the usual and sliced one into the woods. This guy had the most amazing balance. This was rural Ohio and there were Amish and Mennonite in the area. He and his boys were dressed like Mennonite. I think that was nearly as fascinating as his golf ability.

About pushing off with the trail leg, consider this:

I am a mechanical engineer by training, but absolutely abhorred kinematics. I am a thermal, fluids kingd of guy. Recent discussion has got me trying to understand and properly think about the trail leg after reaching the top. Any help appreciated.

Edited May 22, 2022 by Carl3

***iacas*** · May 22, 2022

15 minutes ago, Carl3 said:

About pushing off with the trail leg, consider this:

We have a topic for this.