Trail knee at set-up

[Ernest Jones]

Hey guys,

Question for some of you better players.

Lately (past month or so) I've been kicking my right knee inwards (towards target or lead knee) during set up, this seems to help tremendously with staying centered and pretty much guarantees that I don't hit it fat (my old nemesis). While I have read a lot about people that kick the trail knee towards the lead knee to initiate the downswing, in my case it is a static piece of my set-up. I feel that it pre-sets me to roll my trail foot properly and encourages a nice linear hip shift, like I said I get great ball first contact every time when I do this.

My question is, does anyone else here do this and what are your comments on it. Also I'm wondering if it is something that could potentially lead to injury? The knee feels oddly vulnerable (for lack of a better description) but the results are very solid.

FWIW, it's still big time winter here so I'm hitting into a net and can't comment on anything other than contact which has been very solid with this set up.

[Mr. Desmond]

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

Hey guys,

Question for some of you better players.

Lately (past month or so) I've been kicking my right knee inwards (towards target or lead knee) during set up, this seems to help tremendously with staying centered and pretty much guarantees that I don't hit it fat (my old nemesis). While I have read a lot about people that kick the trail knee towards the lead knee to initiate the downswing, in my case it is a static piece of my set-up. I feel that it pre-sets me to roll my trail foot properly and encourages a nice linear hip shift, like I said I get great ball first contact every time when I do this.

My question is, does anyone else here do this and what are your comments on it. Also I'm wondering if it is something that could potentially lead to injury? The knee feels oddly vulnerable (for lack of a better description) but the results are very solid.

FWIW, it's still big time winter here so I'm hitting into a net and can't comment on anything other than contact which has been very solid with this set up.

Not a better player, but I've had success banking the right foot at setup. It's not textbook, but hopefully, I'll evolve.

[Harmonious]

I think it's a great feeling, and should reduce the chances of getting your weight to the outside of your rear foot, which is a death move.  Check out Hogan's setup and you'll see he did the exact same thing.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

I think it's a great feeling, and should reduce the chances of getting your weight to the outside of your rear foot, which is a death move.  Check out Hogan's setup and you'll see he did the exact same thing.

Agree. Gary Player kicked his knee in as part of his forward press, IIRC. Better than sliding your right knee backwards (though Sergio/Monty get away with it).

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by Mr. Desmond

Not a better player, but I've had success banking the right foot at setup. It's not textbook, but hopefully, I'll evolve.

Originally Posted by Harmonious

I think it's a great feeling, and should reduce the chances of getting your weight to the outside of your rear foot, which is a death move.  Check out Hogan's setup and you'll see he did the exact same thing.

Originally Posted by iacas

Agree. Gary Player kicked his knee in as part of his forward press, IIRC. Better than sliding your right knee backwards (though Sergio/Monty get away with it).

Thanks guys. As someone who is working without an instructor (yeah, yeah, I know. I actually made a statement about this once and won some TST ballmarkers ) it's pretty amazing to be able to pop in here and ask these things. Great site, great community.

[Ernest Jones]

Originally Posted by Harmonious

I think it's a great feeling, and should reduce the chances of getting your weight to the outside of your rear foot, which is a death move.  Check out Hogan's setup and you'll see he did the exact same thing.

Now that you mention it, while I have never read his books I do recall a story about custom spikes on his trail foot shoe?? IIRC there was an extra spike or two on the instep side, I might be remembering this wrong though.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by Ernest Jones

Now that you mention it, while I have never read his books I do recall a story about custom spikes on his trail foot shoe?? IIRC there was an extra spike or two on the instep side, I might be remembering this wrong though.

There was, but it didn't have to do with this. Had to do with how his foot worked during his downswing.