Over active right hip

Question
Dear Eddie
I have a one plane golf swing. Here's the probem ,with driver and long irons I am pushing off with the right toe right just before impact, which pushes my hips off plane and shoulders off plane sending the ball right with the open club face. Are there some specific drills to help me keep the right foot planted more or rollings to the instep. Thanks Warren

Answer
Hi Warren:
Absolutely!  You mentioned you push off your right toe just before impact.......I will bet your right knee is moving out towards the golf ball, which moves your swing plane up, out and across the ball causing a slicing effect.  If the right knee moves out towards the ball, your body cannot pivot (rotate).  Instead, here are a couple of drills to quiet you down.  First, hit some balls with a three quarter swing, say a 5 or 6 iron.  Your right foot will be drawn back about 3-4 inches behind your left foot, feet fairly close together.  Now, make sure the right heel stays on the ground for the entire swing.  DO NOT let the right heel come off the ground.  Make three quarter swings at the most, and go about 70%.  What this does is give you the feeling of moving the club into a good striking position on the forward swing.  Let the club go up into a half to three quarter finish, keep the right heel planted on the turf.  The next drill is really what should occur.  Remember I said if your right knee moves out towards the ball, the body cannot rotate and you will throw the club out away from you and back across yourself producing a slice or a pull with your short irons?  The correct movement of the right knee is to move towards your left toe.  Here is where you will feel that rolling inwards towards the target (down the toe line, not towards the ball).  So, after you have done the first drill and get to where you are hitting the ball pretty solid, go ahead and hit some more and let the heel come off the ground AFTER IMPACT and gently come up into the correct finish.  The heel will stay on the ground until you strike the ball and then let it release up with you to a finish.  With your right heel quieter, you will begin to sense the correct feet and leg action.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member