Lifting left heel on backswing: is it bad?

[wypee]

Hi,

I am relatively new to this game. Today at the driving range, the local coach commented that I shouldn't be lifing my left heel on my backswing. Is it a bad thing to do? For me, it allows me to turn my shoulders more and I have been swinging relatively better lately (for example, today I was swinging my 5i 150-160yds carry and straight atleast 80% of the time). The moment I stopped doing that it was just taking away 30-40 yds away from my distance without gaining me anything.

Please opine.

thanks,
Yogesh

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Lifting left heel on backswing: is it bad?

I have been lifting my lead heel up for better than 5 decades. Nothing wrong with that move, as long as your hips, while turning, stay level at the same distance from the ground as they were at address. A lot of people who raise their front heel take up the slack by bending their lead knee. For me it is a weight transfer issue. That, and it was the accepted teaching back when I took up the game. Still is today by some instructors. No one, or at least very few thought about keeping that lead heel planted for full swings back then. I suspect the idea of keeping the lead heel planted, as being taught now days is along the lines of fewer moving parts leaves less things to worry about, or to go wrong in the swing. Nothing wrong with that thinking either. After I get to the top of my swing, and just (barely) after I start down, the re-planting of my lead heel is a signal, that gets me transferring my weight to my lead foot. That move, letting my trailing elbow fall back down to my rear hip area, and returning the back side of my lead hand to what it was at address with regards to my target at, and through impact, are the only important swing keys I have ever used.

If I were you, I would quiz your instructor more as to why he thinks you should keep your lead heel planted. It is quite possible he sees something else in your swing that may work better for you later on. It may not show up as positive for you right now, but may be better for you in the long run. You can always go back to raising your heel, if what your instrutor is presenting to you does not work out. GJS

[BrianW]

Re: Lifting left heel on backswing: is it bad?

It can help thoes that lack flexability get a fuller shoulder turn.