Wonky left knee

[jimw]

Hi everyone. I have a problem with my left knee. I am right handed. Every time I start the backswing my left knee shoots straight out towards the ball before moving in the correct direction. I suspect it is either from insufficient knee flex at address OR straightening the right knee as I rotate into the backswing.
I thought maybe Greg would know whats going on.
Any help is welcomed
Regards jimw Australia

[TeachingPro]

Re: Wonky left knee

I haven't seen you swing the club, but my educated guess would be is that your left hip isn't rotating with the lateral & rotation movement of the backswing. This is stopping you from getting your left knee behind the ball, your weight to the right side ... that is what's wrong (I think). This ends up being a reverse pivot position.

To fix it is quite easy ... as you turn right and rotate back during the backswing, turn your hips and left knee as well. You should end up with your left knee behind the ball, your hips are turned 45*, your right knee is flexed ... (that's what the solution is)

To drill this movement turn a club upside down, so you're holding the clubhead in your left hand. Put the butt of the club where the ball should be. Okay? Now, ROTATE the hips and the left knee at the same time as your torso ... get the left knee behind the shaft line, your weight all the way accross to the right. Your back facing the target ...

Hope this helps you.

[jimw]

Re: Wonky left knee

Graham,
Thanks for the help. I will drill this movement until the problem disappears off of my video.
Just a thought, but would starting the backswing by turning the right hip out of the way do the same thing, or could this complicate or cause other problems. ie reduce tension in coil.
regards
Jim W

[TeachingPro]

Re: Wonky left knee

Hi again. Well, there are two ways of approaching it - a technical way and a 'feel way' of approaching it. It all depends on whether you're a technically minded player or a feel player.

If you're not sure what you are, no problem, then we mix the two.

Take a club, address the golf ball and then shift the butt of the club into your navel. From that position turnback from 12 o'clock (the ball position) to 2 o'clock without letting the butt of the club lose contact. That's the feel of how you need to start a connected backswing. In a 'real' swing feel the same and execute the same but just carry on going ...

So you have the technical connection with the feel of being connected to the club.

If you like the feel of turning back with your right hip, then do it. Nothing wrong, provided the swing stays connected.