The left heel

[jkgt]

What's the consensus on the left heel in the backswing: Firmly planted ala Tiger Woods or well up on the toes as the left knee turns behind the ball ala Bobby Jones?

[pgmetcalf]

I always keep mine planted. Under no circumstances should you think it's correct to raise the left heel or consiously try to do it.

If you're not very flexible and the body stiffness results in pulling your heel up, fine, but movement should be tried to be kept to a minimum. If the left heel raises, your weight tends to fall back towards the heel, rather than the ball of your feet, when you shift your weight back to the left side. This causes imbalance and will play havoc with your swing plain.

Another reason why it might be raising is the setup - the left toes may be splayed out too much at address. This makes for more movement in the left leg than it would if the left foot was placed square to the target line.

To try and explain: These slashes ( \ ) are the direction your left leg is pointing. Think as them as being your left kneecap if you like.

Example 1:

This is the direction your leg is facing at address \ and the direction at the top of your backswing /

Example 2:

| then /

In the second example only half the distance is used resulting in a more balanced turn.

WARNING

If your left heel bothers you and you feel you need to keep it more under control BE AWARE OF THE REVERSE PIVOT. That is keeping your weight on the left leg right up to the top of the backswing and then moving the weight onto the right leg in the downswing.

My advice would be to try and place the left foot square to the target line at address. If your left heel raises it will probably always do so, and keep in mind, many of the top professionals raise their left heel a little, but usually by a minimum amount.

Good luck

Paul

[AlanN]

A swing wrecker

Raising the left heel too much is a real swing wrecker. The effect is that the hips rotate, excessively, in the backswing.

I have to constantly remind myself to try and keep the heel down. This fault is one of the reasons why my swing became so erratic. My hips were turning back almost as far as my shoulders.

I believe that the ideal turning angles are something close to 45 degrees with the hips and 90 with the shoulders.

[mtibt]

Left foot can roll over onto the inside toe-like Jack's-which raises the heel; however, it needs to be planted as downswing begins. Older players also can get away with it to give them more turn on backswing but it needs to be practiced.

[greghutton]

Left heel on backswing

Guys,

I agree totally. The left heel should not conciously be lifted during the swing. By listing the left heel, a great deal of the resistance built in the backswing between the upper and lower body is lost. This however can be a benefit for more senior players or for players who have a particularly bad back.

In order for a good backswing movement let the left knee flex inwards slightly towards the right knee on the bakswing, keeping the heel of the foot on the ground.

Good Luck

[jscerbo]

It is perfectly acceptable for the left heel to come off of the ground. It should not be conciously lifted, it should be a reaction of rotation