Grooved Golf Swing Series - What About Your Feet During The Golf Swing?

It is important to have read my previous two articlesbe just as good if not better.
to fully understand this one.What you do however, is roll the left or front foot
In these articles I described the swing as one of theonto the inside of that foot.
body and not the arms.When you do this, place your weight onto the inside
I also advised that on the down swing you hit outof your right or hind foot. this will stop you
away from yourself to achieve an in to out swing.swayingto the right.
With all this in mind, the rest of the swing looks afterBoy! Is this ever different you are saying. If you are
itself with a few extra considerations.not, then, congratulations, you certainly have your
The first consideration is that of balance.swing well under control
You can swing in the manner shown to you and stillThe major point is that your left heel is still on the
get it wrong.ground. When you use your body to make the
Why? Well I haven't told you what to do with youswing, this is so much easier than when you use your
feet.arms to take the club back.
You can still make a mess of the swing with theNow for the down swing and taking the club through
wrong use of your feet in spite of having a greatthe ball.
swing using you body.Because you are still using your body to make the
Firstly you may push your left knee to the rightswing, it is very easy to have your weight on your
during the back swing. I know I have mentioned this,left foot and roll your right foot so that any weight is
but I will jog your memory if I may. (Not quite feet,on the inside of the sole.
but related I am sure you will agree.)This system will eliminate a huge number of errors
During the back swing, make sure your left kneethat can cause a bad shot.
moves in a forward direction (towards the ball) andWhat are these? What things cause you to hit your
not to the right. (right handers).ball in the way you hate?
Look at all the good players on the US tour and seeOne of the major causes is body sway. The second
how their front knee moves forward every timeis moving the head especially moving your head in
they hit the ball. This is seen when they are usingfront of the ball. The next thing is poor balance. You
their driver or long irons. Especially the driver where afall or stagger after you have made your swing
full swing is always implemented.sometimes. Right?
Now your feet.By adopting the technique above, these and other
Good foot movement results in great balance.faults will be automatically eliminated
Balance is so important during the swing. Balance isBy keeping your feet on the ground as described
the basis of all great movements in the sportingabove, you will have a great base and anchor. You
world.will be held in a very firm and stable position as you
Cricket commentators talk about the balance of thehit your ball.
batsman as he hits an off drive.Hence your balance will be superb and your golf will
If you live in a country where no cricket is played,improve out of sight.
but base-ball is, then the batter succeeds if he hasNow to mollify those better golfers who lift their
great balance, doesn't he?right heel on the follow through.
I have seen some of the top women golfers usingYes, this is sound for you. You are experienced
an exercise ball - you know, one of those great biggolfers and can lift your right heel slightly on the
balls one finds in a gymnasium - to improve theirfollow through.
balance. They sit on the ball and accept catches andYou may even be able to lift your left heel slightly on
perform other feats of balance.the back swing, but I would advise against this. This
This helps to emphasise the importance of balance.can result in too many moving parts.
Unfortunately, it is an aspect of the golf swing that isFor completeness, let me mention that when using
not considered very often.the pitching iron etc, the left foot never lifts, or rolls
Most of us pay little attention to improving oureither.
balance. Would you agree with this statement?The no lift technique above is for the struggling to
Let me come to the point - at last.not so average golfer and it will improve him/her out
Your feet when using the driver or longer irons.of sight. He/she can then go on to lifting the heels
Please note that this does not apply to the pitchingslightly if so desired. I hope you choose not to do
iron or very short irons.this except to allow the automatic slight lift of the
The secret is to roll the feet and not lift them.back or right heel on the follow through.
If you can not swing back far enough without liftingEvery golfer should have a minimum of movement of
your left or front heel, then don't swing so far back.heels during the swing for the sake of good balance.
Swing back until you can go no further without liftingYou good golfers, give this technique a try why don't
your front heel. This is far enough and your shot willyou?