Left foot problem

Question
I am 65 and have recently started playing golf. I am not doing too bad but my big problem is my left foot. When I practice it is almost rooted to the floor but as soon as I put a golf ball down and hit it my left foot twists and ends up almost pointing towards the hole. Please can you help me.

Answer
Hi Leonard, it sounds to me like you are prone to doing what a large percentage of people do, which is to "hit from the top", this simply means that at the top of the backswing position you try too hard to "hit" at the ball with your shoulders, resulting in a loss of weight transition, meaning you spin out of the shot. This manifests itself in the left foot spinning and pointing towards the hole. Instead of making a slight movement towards the left side before starting down you just hit from the top. What you must try to do is allow the body to move back onto the left side beofre letting the club begin down. My tip would be to practice with something against your left foot, such as a basket of balls, or similar heavy item which prevents your foot from spinning and then hitting balls, this should assist.Consider placing a club under the outside edge of the foot, so that you feel your foot turn inwards, then hit balls and finish as you should, weight on your left side and tummy facing target.You should then feel what it is like to hit against a very strong left leg, which is where power comes from, and not hitting from the top. Good luck!