<a href="http://ad1.emediate.dk/eas?cu=11291;ty=ct;cat1=ARTICLES;cat2=DRIVINGTIPS;cat3=GOLFTIPS;kw1="><img src="http://ad1.emediate.dk/eas?cu=11291;cre=img;cat1=ARTICLES>;cat2=DRIVINGTIPS;cat3=GOLFTIPS;kw1=" border="0" alt="EmediateAd" width="728" height="90"></a>

Driving tips

You are looking at: Home : Driving tips

Golf tip: Heel's the clue to a powerful swing

Lift, then plant the left heel like Watson

Posted: 1 September 2009
by John Hoskison


You'll get more power in the downswing with the left heel up at the top (right) than you will with it down (left)

A golfer can have a great looking backswing but if the downswing is not started in the correct sequence, power and accuracy is lost. The transition between backswing and downswing is a crucial part of the swing and makes the difference between a great shot and one, which misses the fairways and greens.

Start the downswing correctly by learn to plant the left foot. it will help trigger the correct downswing sequence - and give you extra power.

At the top of the backswing your weight should be transferred onto the right side and with the body coiled ready for action there will only be about twenty per-cent of your weight remaining on the left side. At this time the heel of the left foot may well have come off the ground.

Watson in action at The Open with his raised left heel

If you watched Tom Watson in action at the Open this year you'll have instantly spot how a pronounced the lift is with the left heel. He showed that, even at aged 59, he can still riup it out there.

How much the left heel rises is determined by how supple a golfer is and the action is similar to that when a baseball pitcher poised to throw the ball at the batter with the right hand and raises left leg comes off the turf.

To start the golfer's downswing in the correct sequence, the left heel needs to be driven back into its original position. You can practise this without a club and to make it more dynamic it’s best to have a pronounced lift of the left heel on the backswing. The harder you slam the heel back into the ground the more potential speed you generate.

John Hoskison is attached to the Newbury Golf Centre and plays on the European Seniors Tour, having earned a conditional card after finishing 10th at Qualifying School at the Pestana. He returned to the UK to rebuild his career in tournament golf after spending time in China, where he was instrumental in the building a driving range for underprivileged children Fuzhou. He won the 2005 Jamega Tour Order of Merit with six victories from 12 starts. For further information visit John's website at www.johnhoskisongolf.com.

Previous article:
World Cup: Pakistan qualifies

First impression: Mizuno MX-300 irons

golf tips, Hoskison, watson, driving, instruction

Discuss this story

Lairdy

Just come across this whilst reading the instruction part of the website.

I would have thought that the more you lift your left heel on the backswing the less supple you are?

I always thought lifting your left heel at anytime was a no no. Am I missing something? Surely it would lead to inconsistency?

Posted: 23/12/2009 10:10

Pengwyn 10.9^

Lifting the left heel can be down to a less flexible body, or even old age.

It definately leads to less torque in the back swing but I wouldn't necesarrily say it is a nono.

Whatever works imo.

Posted: 23/12/2009 12:50

Dave The Slice

Loads of people raise their left heel. Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Jones, Bubba Watson (right heel). I think it can be because of lack of flexibility but also because of rotational force. If you do raise yours maybe speak to a decent pro about figuring out why you do it and to make sure it has no detrimental imapct on your golf.
Posted: 23/12/2009 13:07

Lairdy

Your thoughts echo mine and contradict Hoski's article, or at least one sentance of it! Just thought it was a strange article to write. Maybe he should have stated what kind of golfer the tip was aimed at?
Posted: 23/12/2009 15:32

baz johnson

I raise it, and always have done. Not through any flexibility issues, but as a means to start the downswing from the ground up, by way of thrusting the heel in the the ground.
Posted: 24/12/2009 16:05

bob mac

If the left heal lifts because the knee goes forward, thats not too bad. If it lifts because the body is swaying onto the right side moving the head over the right foot, that's not so good.

It's normally used to help the more seniors golfers complete their backswing

Posted: 27/12/2009 07:06

Laphroaig

I used to lift my left heel on the backswing and was unaware of it until somebody pointed it out that my heel was coming down in a different position on the downswing which misaligned my shot. I've endevoured from that point onwards to keep my left heel firmly on the ground. It's improved my shot making although it felt a bit restricting initially. I do get get better ball striking consistency by keeping my left heel firmly rooted to the ground on the backswing.
Posted: 28/12/2009 00:24

Ray Rapp

Years ago everyone was taught to lift their left heel aka Nickluas, Watson, Woosnam and more recently Harrington. In recent years their has been a vouge to keep the left heel planted on the ground, or at least a minimum of heel lift. I reverted some ten years ago from lifting my left heel to keeping it on the ground, which provides for better stability and less sway, but the downside is it can cause a retricted shoulder turn and reverse pivot in the extreme.

I tend to think that if the left heel lifts when completing a full shoulder turn then so be it.

Posted: 01/01/2010 09:59

Styles

the 'regrounding' of the left heel helps create space for the right elbow to pass the right hip and avoid the dreaded OTT or roundhouse at the ball.

I wouldn't say its a good or bad thing but if you have a big OTT or roundhouse problem then imagining there is an empty cola can under your left heel and 'crushing' it with your left heel as you begin your downswing is a good drill for you to try.

Posted: 02/01/2010 15:01

We'd love you to add a comment! Please take half a minute to register as a free member

Become a member and join in the forum!

Track your game

Free golf score and handicap tracker. Record your stats,
analyse your round,
improve your game!
Click here

Golf tip: Heel's the clue to a powerful swing

Discuss this story

Track your game

Latest reviews

Shopping partners