Weight Shift on Backswing

[smpear]

Hi,

At the top of my backswing, I do not feel like I have proper leverage. That is, I do not feel like I have much to push off of for the downswing. Sometimes I work on making sure that I have pressure on the inner right foot so that my weight does not shift too far back and it helps some. Is keeping the pressure on the inner right foot (as opposed to my weight shifting backward past the inner right foot) extremely important? I struggle with distance, hit it high and feel like I have a weak hip turn.

Thoguhts? Drills to recommend?

thanks

[JetFan1983]

Check out this link here: Stack and Tilt: The Basics

It'll help you keep more weight on your lead foot and stay more centered like you want.

A big weight shift to your right foot is not necessary to gain leverage.

Also, give this video a chance. Part of the discussion is about the backswing. I suggest watching the whole thing though:

[Harmonious]

Originally Posted by smpear

Hi,

At the top of my backswing, I do not feel like I have proper leverage. That is, I do not feel like I have much to push off of for the downswing. Sometimes I work on making sure that I have pressure on the inner right foot so that my weight does not shift too far back and it helps some. Is keeping the pressure on the inner right foot (as opposed to my weight shifting backward past the inner right foot) extremely important? I struggle with distance, hit it high and feel like I have a weak hip turn.

Thoguhts? Drills to recommend?

thanks

You absolutely MUST NOT let your weight shift to the outside of your back foot.  Unless you have perfect timing, it's almost impossible to get centered on your downswing to make solid contact.  You want to be braced against the back foot, just like a baseball swing. You won't be braced if the weight goes to the outside.

I've seen tour players on the range take a golf ball and place it under the outside of their back foot, so that the weight has to stay on the inside of the back foot. That seems to be a pretty good way to capture the feel you want.

[smpear]

thanks for the confirmation, I really need to work on that and will also try the ball drill.

Originally Posted by Harmonious

You absolutely MUST NOT let your weight shift to the outside of your back foot.  Unless you have perfect timing, it's almost impossible to get centered on your downswing to make solid contact.  You want to be braced against the back foot, just like a baseball swing. You won't be braced if the weight goes to the outside.

I've seen tour players on the range take a golf ball and place it under the outside of their back foot, so that the weight has to stay on the inside of the back foot. That seems to be a pretty good way to capture the feel you want.

[slabm7]

Originally Posted by smpear

Hi,

At the top of my backswing, I do not feel like I have proper leverage. That is, I do not feel like I have much to push off of for the downswing. Sometimes I work on making sure that I have pressure on the inner right foot so that my weight does not shift too far back and it helps some. Is keeping the pressure on the inner right foot (as opposed to my weight shifting backward past the inner right foot) extremely important? I struggle with distance, hit it high and feel like I have a weak hip turn.

Thoguhts? Drills to recommend?

thanks

Definetly have a look at the Stack and tilt basics, for a high handicapper consistent ball contact should be a top priority. I used to unknowingly shift my weight back in my backswing and then try to move my body forward in the downswing. This resulted in either missing fat, or hitting it high and short because I didn't strike down on the ball. I used to have a misconception that a low hit ball would not stop of the green and would run off the back. I bought the S&T; book used for 10 bucks and started practicing the basics at the range. The basic move of keeping your weight centred and over the ball during the swing has greatly increased my ball striking. My ball flight is now lower, more pentrating and with alot more spin. The ball usually 1 shot hops and stops on the green with longer irons or even backspins with wedges. I also gained distance. My 9 iron used to be 135 and is now 145-150 with it feels like less effort. My miss now is either a push or a thin shot but both turn out alot better then hitting it fat 20 yards up the fairway. For a recreational golfer who wants to improve I would highly recommend picking up a copy of the Stack and Tilt.