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Plant the Left Heel to Increase Club Head Speed

Start Downswing by Planting Left Foot to Hit the Golf Ball Further

Jul 7, 2009 John Hoskison

Start the downswing and Increase golf club head speed at impact by with dynamic footwork. Transfer the weight with the left foot for faster hand release and greater power

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 the crucial part of the swing which makes the difference between a great shot and one which misses the fairway or green. Learn how to start the downswing correctly by planting the left foot for extra power and the correct downswing sequence.

Plant the Left Heel to Start Golf Downswing

At the top of the backswing a golfers weight should have been transferred onto the right side.
With the body coiled ready for action there will be only about twenty percent of weight remaining on the left side and the heel of the left foot may well have come off the ground. Jack Nicklaus used to have a pronounced left heel rise, as did Tom Watson.
How much the left heel rises is down to how supple a golfer is but the action is similar to that of a baseball thrower where the left leg comes right off the turf.
To start the downswing in the correct sequence the left heel needs to be driven back into its original position.
This can be practiced without a club. To make the action more dynamic it’s best to have a pronounced lift of the left heel on the backswing.
The harder you slam it back into the ground the more potential speed you are generating.

Increase Club head Speed at Impact

With a dynamic left foot action not only are you creating more potential energy at the start of the downswing but you will have started the downswing in the right sequence.
Instead of the shoulders spinning open the hips will have started first with the shoulders following.
This enables the arms to come into the ball from the inside for a fast hand release past a braced left side.
In order to maximise the benefits of driving the left foot it is important to make sure the head is anchored correctly.
In the address position the head should be turned slightly to the right. When you start the dowsnwing by planting the left foot, it is important to make sure the angle of you head position does not change.
If you have good footwork and the top half of your body is anchored, half way in the downswing centrifugal force will kick in and the hands will whip into impact for a powerful natural release.

If yo have found this article interesting please read - What is an Over the Top Swing or Head Position - How to Angle the Head for Greater Power

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