Issues with footwork and lag

[evinkc05]

I have been giving a lot of thought to ways I can improve my swing and it seems to me that there are two major differences between my swing and that of very low handicappers. 1) At impact I tend to get up on my toes rather than staying planted e.g. Rory, Adam Scott, Sergio,etc. 2) I don't have the same amount of lag in my down swing that they have... When I consciously try to increase the lag in my down swing, I just weakly hit it low and right very poorly. In my downswing at the point where my hands are in front of my right thigh, and my club should be parallel aka 9:00 position; my club instead is at about 7:30 instead. Does anyone know of any drills or advice or whatnot that could help me out? P.s. my distances are as follows Driver: 280 3w: 260 2h: 235 3i: 210 4i: 200 5i: 180 6i: 170 7i: 165 8i: 155 9i: 138 Pw: 125 54*: 110 60*: 85 I have lost about 5-10 yards on irons 5-7 and 10-20 yards on irons 9-60*. Not sure why :-( I would love some help with any and all of these issues I am facing... Thanks in advance!

[midwestswing]

1) Overswinging

2) Grip Pressure

[inthecup]

I agree with Midwestswing but would add that Grip pressure is a simplification.  You need to let the club release freely which requires the right grip pressure.

I am in the process of a swing change to do exactly what you are describing, hands in front of right thigh and shaft parallel to the ground. With that said I am at 7:30 also when my hands are in front of my thigh.

In my case I believe I need to start my downswing more with my legs and hips which will get the club moving forward without my arms being involved much, this will get your hands closer to your thigh before the arm action starts.  The next step is not to explode with arm action but smooth into it.  Keep the handle in close to your body and believe the smooth release will get you the power don't rip at it.

It is a journey and these are my thoughts today.  I do use slow motion video to check progress it is very helpful.

[jclark]

You cannot retain good lag if you start your downswing from the top. You have to start from the ground up. That's where I would start. Video yourself and see what you're doing.

[saevel25]

Try this, swing with your toes pressing into the top of your shoe. This will make it nearly impossible for you to get out on your toes.

Also, i've had this problem, work on not overswinging, and work getting your hips to rotate around your body. you need to get your left hip to go back and up in the follow through. This will keep your weight back. Your falling forward because your hips are going forward in the downswing. I bet you top a few shots from time to time as well.

[evinkc05]

Here are two shots of what I mean with my feet...

[mvmac]

Here are two shots of what I mean with my feet...

Thread bump of the day!

Check this out

[evinkc05]

So I went home and tried this out a bit.  Should I feel as though my weight is in my heels and I am leaning back, and just reaching out to hit the ball?  Where should my weight be distributed along my feet for proper balance and shot execution.  I have had my weight on the balls of my feet for my entire golfing career...  This is unsettling lol.

[mvmac]

So I went home and tried this out a bit.  Should I feel as though my weight is in my heels and I am leaning back, and just reaching out to hit the ball?  Where should my weight be distributed along my feet for proper balance and shot execution.  I have had my weight on the balls of my feet for my entire golfing career...  This is unsettling lol.

You'll feel more pressure on the instep of the right foot as the foot banks or the ankle rolls.

[chspeed]

There may be a lot of other differences that are easier to correct.

I have been giving a lot of thought to ways I can improve my swing and it seems to me that there are two major differences between my swing and that of very low handicappers.

1) At impact I tend to get up on my toes rather than staying planted e.g. Rory, Adam Scott, Sergio,etc.

2) I don't have the same amount of lag in my down swing that they have... When I consciously try to increase the lag in my down swing, I just weakly hit it low and right very poorly. In my downswing at the point where my hands are in front of my right thigh, and my club should be parallel aka 9:00 position; my club instead is at about 7:30 instead.

Before you spend too much time on trying to address the fact that you're up on your toes at impact or that your lag isn't where you want it to be, I think it's important to ask what you're trying to improve? Is it distance? Is it accuracy? Is it your score?

And while it may seem to you that those are the two major differences between your swing and those of better players, there may be other differences that can better address whatever it is that you're trying to improve. For example, Bubba is on his toes at impact and doesn't have a distance issue

[joekelly]

Lexi Thompson comes to mind for active feet. She's way out on her toes.

[evinkc05]

That's very true, I think Laura Davies also had this particular quirk to her swing.  Well, I guess what i would be most keen on improving would be score.  I tend to let myself have too many blow up holes.  My issues typically occur AFTER my approach shot.  Should I leave my swing alone for now and focus on short game work?  My biggest issue is that I HATE "practicing" (Iverson Syndrome).  Difficult to keep my attention focused on the task when I feel like I am just hitting repetitive shot after shot... lol.