How much knee bend?

[StevenT]

Is it more advisable to have just a little knee bend at address or is it purely an individual thing? I tried hitting with less knee bend and seemed to be able to swing a bit more freely- is this a really important part of the set-up?

[LowPost42]

Re: How much knee bend?

IIRC, most coaches advocate soft knees - in other words, just a little bit of bend.

[BrianW]

Re: How much knee bend?

I like the front of my knees to be directly over the balls of my feet.

[Jeff Mann]

Re: How much knee bend?

I agree with the other posters.

There should only be a little bend at the knees.

See - http://jeffmann.net/LeadbetterGS-KneePosition.jpg

See - http://jeffmann.net/LeadbetterGS-ShoulderLine.jpg

Note that a vertical line drawn down in front of the knee caps goes through the forefoot.

If it goes through the toes, the knees are too bent. If it goes through the mid-foot, the knees are not bent enough.

Jeff.

[billneurauter]

Re: How much knee bend?

Hi Jeff Mann,

Your point about too much knee bend leading to weight on the toes is interesting. I feel at the top of my backswingn that the weight has shifted onto my toes. I am a tall guy 6'3" so I probably have too much knee bend. I have been fitted for clubs and play with 1/2" long and 2 degress upright

Does too much knee bend also open up the door for too much lateral shift in the downswing?

[Jeff Mann]

Re: How much knee bend?

I think that if one has to much weight on the toes at address, that it prediposes to falling forwards towards the ball-target line during the downswing, and becoming unbalanced during the downswing. I think that one's weight should be equally balanced between the heels and toes of the feet at address.

I don't think that there is a "necessary causal connection" with a lateral slide.

My opinions (personal biases) are evident at http://jeffmann.net/AddressSetup.htm

Jeff.