QuestionHi I am a right handed golfer and I have this annoying problem in that when I swing the club my left foot moves towards the target on my downswing, before impact. Sometimes it completely leaves the floor! Please can you help with why this happens? Many Thanks. Matt
Answer
Profiles
Hello Matt: In a proper golf swing, the weight is moving towards the target in the forward swing and ends up with about 80 of it on the front foot at the finish. What you describe indicates there is very little weight on the front foot during these two parts of the swing as it would be difficult to move the foot forward with any appreciable amount of weight on it.
It's quite possible you're swinging with a reverse weight shift which means in the back swing the weight is shifting forward and in the forward swing, it's shifting to the back foot. This phenomenon is caused by poor balance at address and the reverse pivot is what you instinctively are doing to stay in place.
To get better balanced, you need to set up in the following manner:
1. With your legs locked, bend from the hips enough so that your shoulders are over your toes;
2. Then flex your knees just enough to unlock them;
3. Then position the ball far away enough to allow your arms to hang from the shoulders; and finally
4. Make sure you put your weight on the balls of the feet.
This position, or something very close to it, will give you the best chance at good balance and, having done that, you'll be able to shift your weight properly. It may take a while to adjust to the new position but in time it will happen. Something to help you shift your weight properly is to keep your right knee flexed in the back swing and turn your shoulders enough to move your sternum over your right foot.
I've attached pictures of several touring pros so that you can see what the balanced position looks like. Put yourself in front of a mirror and copy this position.
Good luck Matt!
Fairways and Greens,
John
www.golfnutts.com
