Just a change I did and now my golf game has improved drastically

[tazrestling27]

I have always been about a 9 handicap. The other day I was reading a few websites about the correct golf swing. One tip I took was that when I swing my back leg is locked and straight. I am a lefty so my left leg. I changed it before the swing to have a slight bend and hip a little lower. Since then I have gained 10 yds on every club and my ball striking is a lot more crisp. I am coming down and through the ball making the divot in front much better. I now hit my 5 iron around 200yds. Every club has jumped with distance. Is this because it allows me to get more torque when my back leg is bent. Also, my shots are much straighter as well. I am looking forward to playing tomorrow. Just was wondering if anyone has done this and seen improvements as well?

[Shindig]

Locking your back leg?  No.  But my back leg definitely straightens.  I suspect it also helps keep me from swaying.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by tazrestling27

I have always been about a 9 handicap. The other day I was reading a few websites about the correct golf swing. One tip I took was that when I swing my back leg is locked and straight. I am a lefty so my left leg. I changed it before the swing to have a slight bend and hip a little lower. Since then I have gained 10 yds on every club and my ball striking is a lot more crisp. I am coming down and through the ball making the divot in front much better. I now hit my 5 iron around 200yds. Every club has jumped with distance. Is this because it allows me to get more torque when my back leg is bent. Also, my shots are much straighter as well. I am looking forward to playing tomorrow. Just was wondering if anyone has done this and seen improvements as well?

It's a good rule of thumb to never "lock" any of your joints while doing something athletic. Sounds like a recipe for ligament damage.

[motteler621]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

It's a good rule of thumb to never "lock" any of your joints while doing something athletic. Sounds like a recipe for ligament damage.

yep and another thing turn with your middle back not lower

[DeanS]

I'm not sure what is you're saying but I'd like to know more. Can you post a link? I've seen improvement in my driver thru 4 iron by narrowing my stance to shoulder width. Have to credit the Golf Fix for that one. And I always bend at the knees.

[tazrestling27]

I just read my post and I was trying to say that my leg use to be locked and not bent. Now I use what I read on a website that before I swing, on my back leg bend the knee a little more and drop my hip just a little more than the front. I use to have my leg lock- had less power. Now I have it bent and my hip is a little lower- gained much more distance. I will try to find the post I read that on tonight for you.

[senorchipotle]

yeah, with a bent leg you get more leverage and push. imagine trying to run with locked legs, you've got no spring.

[Kieran123]

I used to bend my back leg when driving the ball. Got better distance at the loss of accuracy and consistency.

With a 'straight' right leg I get slightly less distance but better accuracy and ability to work the ball easier

[Zeph]

I would not recommend locking the knee, but you definitely want it to straighten. http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/34692/straightening-the-right-knee-on-the-backswing

The legs and feet are important since they support the rest of your body. Poor footwork can in turn hurt the rest of your swing, where your weight is, amount of hip rotation etc.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Zeph

I would not recommend locking the knee, but you definitely want it to straighten. http://thesandtrap.com/forum/thread/34692/straightening-the-right-knee-on-the-backswing

The legs and feet are important since they support the rest of your body. Poor footwork can in turn hurt the rest of your swing, where your weight is, amount of hip rotation etc.

There are some examples or leg straightening taken to an unnecessary extreme. Probably a couple in that link.

[Zeph]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

There are some examples or leg straightening taken to an unnecessary extreme. Probably a couple in that link.

Depends what you mean by "unnecessary". If it works for a player, why not. Some straighten it more than others, some may even lock it, but like it was stated multiple times in the thread, the knee should not lock or straighten too much.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by Zeph

Depends what you mean by "unnecessary". If it works for a player, why not. Some straighten it more than others, some may even lock it, but like it was stated multiple times in the thread, the knee should not lock or straighten too much.

Exactly. Perhaps unnecessary wasn't the right term. I meant not everyone needs to get to the same point to be successful and for some players, more straightening is not natural. Actually, that would make it unnecessary in their case - but not unnecessary for all.  It would be pretty easy to put together a collage of top players with solid swings who have relatively little leg straightening compared to the players shown in that thread. There will be more of less depending on the player, the angle of the photograph, and to be honest on on the pants they're wearing Some photos are misleading and at least one guys had a right knee dip as a trigger for his backswing (**coughHogancough**) so before and after photos of him could be either misleading or right on the money depending on when they were snapped. But either say "some straightening" is pretty much a necessity.