Straight left leg at impact - yay or nay?

[golfaddict1]

Hi guys,

I've been struggling with a little bit of early extension and clearing my left side through downswing. One thing I've been experimenting with is feeling like my leg is straightening up through the downswing. I read that a lot of pro's like to feel like the really pressing down through their left heel on the downswing and as someone who often hits the ball on his toes I thought I'd try really pushing down through my left heel to the point where my left hip is rotating around and upwards rapidly so thats its pratically completely straight at impact.

My question is, is this a good swing feeling/thought? Is it 'better' have a bit of bend in left leg at impact à la Adam Scott?

thanks

[DrvFrShow]

Rory's left knee is still flexed at impact.

Knee is flexed here, too

Here's Bubba Watson, legs snapped straight and up on his toes at impact like Lexi Thompson.

The question is, how good are your knees? How strong are your legs? How old are you? If you're in your 30s I wouldn't try it.

[mvmac]

  golfaddict1 said:

Hi guys,

I've been struggling with a little bit of early extension and clearing my left side through downswing. One thing I've been experimenting with is feeling like my leg is straightening up through the downswing. I read that a lot of pro's like to feel like the really pressing down through their left heel on the downswing and as someone who often hits the ball on his toes I thought I'd try really pushing down through my left heel to the point where my left hip is rotating around and upwards rapidly so thats its pratically completely straight at impact.

My question is, is this a good swing feeling/thought? Is it 'better' have a bit of bend in left leg at impact à la Adam Scott?

thanks

Left leg is in the act of "straightening" at impact but it shouldn't be straight. The feeling you're describing could make things worse.

[golfaddict1]

Pretty sure both those guys' left leg's are practically straight at impact. I did find with my driver at least that I got much more of a 'whip crack' release at the ball when trying to do it. Your hips sort of 'snap' around much faster and it did help with club head speed and release.

[mvmac]

  golfaddict1 said:

Pretty sure both those guys' left leg's are practically straight at impact. I did find with my driver at least that I got much more of a 'whip crack' release at the ball when trying to do it. Your hips sort of 'snap' around much faster and it did help with club head speed and release.

They're also hitting drivers, left knee will have some flex at impact, more so with irons.

[DrvFrShow]

It looks like Robert Rock even has a little flex during follow through, Mike.

[mvmac]

  DrvFrShow said:

It looks like Robert Rock even has a little flex during follow through, Mike.

Yes every player is going to look a little different but it has less flex at A9 than it did at A7. I'm not using these players as "models", just illustrating what happens.

[golfaddict1]

http://golf-info-guide.com/golf-tips/pro-ignature-move/jason-day-pro-golfer-left-leg-snap-at-impact-golf-swing-tip/

http://www.golftipsmag.com/instruction/iron-play/quick-tips/post-up-for-precision.html#.VP1T60bsNKo

It seems this move is actually a thing. I do have a lot of lateral movement forward so perhaps 'feeling' that im straightening up through the heel will improve my striking, even if its not literally whats happening.

[trickyputt]

I would watch for ball flight changes that could be caused by left side posting. Left pulls for example as the swing energy comes around an immovable left leg/hip.

[iacas]

  golfaddict1 said:

http://golf-info-guide.com/golf-tips/pro-ignature-move/jason-day-pro-golfer-left-leg-snap-at-impact-golf-swing-tip/

http://www.golftipsmag.com/instruction/iron-play/quick-tips/post-up-for-precision.html#.VP1T60bsNKo

It seems this move is actually a thing. I do have a lot of lateral movement forward so perhaps 'feeling' that im straightening up through the heel will improve my striking, even if its not literally whats happening.

Yes, snapping your leg straight can add power. It adds to GRF, it adds to parametric acceleration, etc. But… it can also hurt you (as in physically), and requires a certain amount of athleticism, and doesn't work terribly well with the irons, and so on.

You can do it, but it's not a universal thing, and often other things are more important, particularly to a 9 handicap player.