Try This One Move With Your Driver

[RX Phoenix]

I recall reading in Tigers Golf Instruction Book his secret if he really wants to bust a long drive he makes sure he straightens his left leg on the swing forward, almost snapping it straight.

I thought I'd try that today and it worked very well. In fact I just used it as my one swing thought.

Haven't really heard any instructors emphasize this move but give it a try because it seems to provide both more clubhead speed and keeps the flight path straighter.

I'll keep trying this and let you know how it goes.

Used my new R7 TP 425 for the first time on a course today, and now I know why it's the most used driver on Tour, this driver really deserves to be praised, never drove the ball so well, both long and in the middle of the fairway. Wow, that's how driving should be.

[J.P.]

Right you are! He did say this in his book and he used to do it.

I think he believes that this was the move that may have lead to his knee trouble and eventual surgery a couple of years back.

If you asked him today about swinging like this, he may have a different answer.

Not sure how we could find out for sure.

[RX Phoenix]

Right you are! He did say this in his book and he used to do it.

Good observation JP. I wouldn't recommend snapping the leg and knee like Tiger advised, that could lead to injury! But making a conscious effort to stiffen the left leg seems to be of benefit it not carried too far. I'm going to use it now and see how my knee feels LOL!

[iacas]

Good observation JP. I wouldn't recommend snapping the leg and knee like Tiger advised, that could lead to injury! But making a conscious effort to stiffen the left leg seems to be of benefit it not carried too far. I'm going to use it now and see how my knee feels LOL!

Right, Tiger has changed his swing away from that move. Snapping now == bad.

[Steven McFarlane]

Ive got that book..not tried it yet but thanks anyways :D

[DBake]

Snapping the front knee (leg) is commonly used with hitters in baseball although it is more commonly know as "hitting against a frim front side."

Here is a pitch of Albert Pujols (todays best hitter) hitting against a frim front side.

[sungho_kr]

If you look at the majority of the pro's, there left knee is locked by the time their club head is parallel to the ground, this creates more power, more speed, and lets you hit the ball first before the ground, your left knee is suppose to lock, yes i said it. This is what my pga instructor said, and I believe him.

[Guest]

I know that some of you might have seen this before, but check out Tiger's new swing with the help of a slow motion camera. Here is the link: http://www.nike.com/nikegolf/swingportrait/index.html . I think if you watch it enough times you will be able to notice his knee is still somewhat stiff.

[Trev]

If you look at the majority of the pro's, there left knee is locked by the time their club head is parallel to the ground, this creates more power, more speed, and lets you hit the ball first before the ground, your left knee is suppose to lock, yes i said it. This is what my pga instructor said, and I believe him.

Hmmm ...I've never been a belever of this,

Is'nt it club head speed, how clean, square you hit the ball and most of all weight transference that is more important ? snapping your left knee on impact or bending and flexing the whole leg is your bodys natural way to deal with weight transfer, yes it's a major part of the swing but it is just natural. Personally with my own swing most people actually think I reverse pivot because I don't snap my knee, I tend to just flex and slide forward with the shot, it's odd but it works for me. to give you an idea here is my swing (much slower in gif file)

[RX Phoenix]

Hmmm ...I've never been a belever of this,

i believe that Tiger recommended this when he really wants to hit it as far as possible. In looking at your classic

swing it seems that you have to keep your tempo just right and guard against getting too fast, ie. too much lateral movement forward when you really want to uncork a long one. With the firmer left side and less lateral movement it may be easier to swing all out for exceptional distance when needed IMO.

[Trev]

Cheers RX Phoenix,

Classic indeed? how many people have you seen playing in the rain sliding past the ladies tees after a drive ?>

I'm quite sure I could get more distance by changing my swing but I honestly don't want to, I'm quite long now and any more would make me loose more balls

Simple fact is I never have to swing full out, it's odd and it's probally not a great swing but it works for me, so I'm happy with that.

Tiger gets more money in a day than I see in a year but there ya go ...he has to use Nikes to get this hence he may well have to swing perfect and force power.

[Johnnyallthetime]

golf digest had an excerpt where tiger analyzed his own swing. he spoke of how he used to snap his leg straight for distance but by reworking his swing and using a longer shaft, he's regained some yardage in the distance department.

[sungho_kr]

Hey, Trev, I think you misunderstood me, I'm just stating the fact that most pros have their knees locked at impact and I was just implying that these knee positions are how they are according to how a Pro swings, a locked knee is a sign that you have great shift, a good impact position, great extension and other things, its just part of the deal, I didn't mean that you have to straigten your knee to swing better, if you know what I mean. Every Swing is different, but like what johnny said, locking the knee is a sign of consistency, and I believe that, and all of my pro's believe that, including Tom Sones , so plz don't take it the wrong way,

[Trev]

Don't worry I havn't taken it the wrong way.

I did once try to lock my knees but played awful for a couple of months so I've gone back to the elvis method
Like you said everyones different tho