Lifting back heel of left foot. (right handed)

[Ian]

heres a video to show what i mean:





do you think that should affect my ball striking signifigantly?

also i heard there were some pros who did this. is that true?
I know for a fact that it allows me to get more power, because it extends my back swing a bit, but could it be affecting my consistency??

[misty_mountainhop]

I think Nicklaus used to do this. Personally I think you're dissipating the torque/tension you should be generating in the backswing; you're losing some of the resistance to the backswing which generates power. It may be a longer swing but I'm not sure it'll generate longer shots and may be more inaccurate.

That said, Jack wasn't that shabby was he?

[Ian]

ah yes thats who i heard did this. im going to hit the range this weekend and try keeping that foot planted, got a school golf match on thursday so i dont think ill screw with my swing quite yet.

[TMO]

This will negatively affect your power if anything. Yes, this will allow you to snap your knee back during your downswing but what you again there you will lose in consistency.

If you truly want to work on building up your power, work on a power pivot. That will restrict your backswing using muscle tension consequently creating more power. Let me know if you have more questions. I have written a bit about both of those topics already.

[Ian]

This will negatively affect your power if anything. Yes, this will allow you to snap your knee back during your downswing but what you again there you will lose in consistency.

what is a power pivot can you explain how to use it?

[TMO]

Long answer and a short answer. The short answer is that your hips stay in a relatively stable position while your upper body pivots back over your back foot. I'll post a video of Mr. Woods making the motion. Pay attention to Line 1 and Line 2. His hips will stay on Line 1 while his upper body will move back.


If you want more information about that, just look at my site but that should give you enough to go off of.

[Ian]

thank you :) nice to get help from someone who knows what they are talking about

[TMO]

I'm here to help. Let me know if there is anything else you need.

[TommyD69]

A guy named Ben Hogan would "Slightly" lift his left heel at or near the end of his backswing. The lifting of the left heel should not be an intentional act. The heel should/could come up slightly as a result of the tension created in your muscles as you get to the top of your backswing.

Another guy named Harvey Penick said, that the first move of your down swing should be the planting of your left heel AND the return of your right elbow to your side (simultaniously). Harvey called it the magic move.

[Chas]

If you do lift your heel a tad at the top, just be sure that you plant it in the same spot again. Don't let your foot twist while the heel is up.

[Surefire]

Lifting the elft heel can actually be caused by tight calf muscles.

If this is the case, it could also cause problems maintaining spine angle as the tightness would pull your spine more upright as it increases.

If this is a problem you have it might be worth reducing this muscle tightness.

[TMO]

A guy named Ben Hogan would "Slightly" lift his left heel at or near the end of his backswing. The lifting of the left heel should not be an intentional act. The heel should/could come up slightly as a result of the tension created in your muscles as you get to the top of your backswing.

Why should the heel come up? That would actually release tension? You want/need that tension to create more torque during your downswing. You are advocating to trade power created by momentum - heel stomp - for power created by torque. I'll take torque any day - especially considering it is more accurate.

[microcrayfish]

A guy named Ben Hogan would "Slightly" lift his left heel at or near the end of his backswing. The lifting of the left heel should not be an intentional act. The heel should/could come up slightly as a result of the tension created in your muscles as you get to the top of your backswing.

Those were the two chaps I was going to bring up. They also pop up in discussions about the greatest swing and the greatest teacher but what would I know?

[TMO]

Those were the two chaps I was going to bring up. They also pop up in discussions about the greatest swing and the greatest teacher but what would I know?

Hogan absolutely does come up in discussions about greatest swing - I am huge Hogan fan. Ironically, Hogan made a pretty distinct effort to quiet his lower body as he got older. Watch younger Hogan versus older Hogan.

[iWALK18]

I definitely do this as well. You can see me lifting my heel in my Avatar.

And lets add Bobby Jones to the list.

[Chas]

Long answer and a short answer. The short answer is that your hips stay in a relatively stable position while your upper body pivots back over your back foot. I'll post a video of Mr. Woods making the motion. Pay attention to Line 1 and Line 2. His hips will stay on Line 1 while his upper body will move back.

That is a very cool bit of video - amazing stability of the hip and shoulder planes of rotation. When I watch him hit driver from up close, I'm as much impressed by the compactness of his swing as by the energy he stores up and suddenly releases.

[Ian]

ill just live with it :)

[Fourputt]

Why should the heel come up? That would actually release tension? You want/need that tension to create more torque during your downswing. You are advocating to trade power created by momentum - heel stomp - for power created by torque. I'll take torque any day - especially considering it is more accurate.

Not everyone has the physique to be able to physically endure torquing the body like that. That over-torquing is why Tiger Woods missed the last 9 months on Tour.... that move stresses the left knee terribly. Penick simply said to make a full turn, and if the heel came up a little then let it happen, if not, don't force it. But it wasn't something that anyone was supposed to deliberately try to do or not do.... just let your body do what it needs to do.