Is this right?!

[Maverick]

I was reading one of the questions in the Q&A; section of "Ask the Top 100" section, page 64, GOLF magazine Feb 2006. To quote directly:

"When you're playing for real..set 70% of your weight on your left leg, and keep it there through impact"

I was practicing this in the house and it seems like a great way for a reverse pivot..no?

and my 2nd question:

What is the weight ratio when playing your irons?

I've always played them with equal 50% on each foot at address..then it going to about 75% right, 25% left (backswing) and then shifting directions to 85% left, 15% right on the downswing through impact..if this makes sense.

[alexlax12]

First, I'm wondering why it says "playing for real ", is that opposed to playing for fake, I dont know. Anyway, I think keeping 70% of your weight on your left foot(for right-handers) will help you hit shots more solid, if your having trouble doing so already. However I would only suggest it as a drill(or maybe when you're playing for fake, haha.) to insure a downward blow. If you keep 70% of your weight on your left foot throughout the swing, you are not making a proper weight shift, and robbing youself of power.

[Maverick]

First, I'm wondering why it says "playing for

Yes, that what I said too..playing for real?..and it would seem like it would be a drill..not for play..bizarre stuff..I couldn't even hit that way if I tried..

[Guest]

Hi Maverick.
-keeping 70% of your weight on the front foot,as a general guideline,is way off!
- weight bias depends on the club you have in hand and the shot you want to make.
-play 50-50 (for better balance)whenever you can,and let the ball position determine the amount of bite you will put on it.
-a 60-40 split is as high as you ever need, and favours all approach shots from 140 yds in.

- a slightly open stance with the ball fractionally back,will give more bite than an exagerated forward bias.
-the Driver is a special case,and the type of Driver has a lot to say about where in your stance you place the ball and how high you need to tee it.
- bias for the driver is 50-50 for backweighted persimmon and "low center of gravity" types.
-bias is 45-55 for the modern high face models which also favour a higher tee and more forward ball position.Please,don't stand too wide for the driver!
-ball position is extremely critical in making solid iron contact.
-when in doubt, place the ball one dia. back in your stance.
-play your fairway woods from the middle of your stance!(again 50-50)
Balance is the most important aspect in every golf swing and a 50-50 set up gives the best odds for that.
-make incremental changes in ball position and stance. The combinations are myriad and the effects of some combinations spectacular. good luck

[iacas]

What is the weight ratio when playing your irons?

I start with a bit more weight on my back foot. It's kinda like "pre-loading" for a good pivot around my right leg (knee specifically), rather than having to move as much to get there.

[jeffgladchun]

That tip sounds like a tip from David Toms on his specialty "one-hop-and-stop" wedge shots. Dave says keep about 70% of your weight on your left side to promote a downward blow on the ball. This is for pitches, not full swings and it is actually pretty helpful. Nice shot to have.

For short to mid-iron shots my weight is distributed basically 50-50 at address, with longer irons it may be more like 45-55 or 40-60 favoring my right.

[Rafcin]

"...When you're playing for real..set 70% of your weight on your left leg, and keep it there through impact"...it seems like a great way for a reverse pivot...

if you're a lefty

seriously though, the weight balance ( IMHO ) is similar to the ball position. 70% sounds a bit extreme, but I do set up "favoring" left side with shorter irons (full weight transfer isn't really needed and it allows you to hit the ball on a descending path) and move more neutral with mid irons, ending up with favoring the right side with 3 - 4 irons. Woods and driver are definite 70% on the right foot at setup. Promotes the "sweeping" path of the clubhead. Of course you can't over-do either way, otherwise you'll have your reverse pivot and/or you'll fall down after a swing