Left or lead foot query

[cal7426]

Dear All,

I started playing golf about 15 years ago in my mid thirties. My only prior experience was whacking a ball around a local field one summer - I acquired a Ralph Moffitt 8 iron from somewhere. Anyhow, at that time (1970s) Jack Nicklaus was the man so I guess I copied him. Thus when I started playing properly I would lift my left heel on the backswing and plant it to start the downswing. Then I took a lesson and the pro told me to stop lifting my heel which I did.

This led to two things - I didn't hit it as far and I got very confused as to how to initiate the downswing. After a while I tried to go back to the lifting heel method, but by then I wasn't doing it naturally so it was superfluous.

So, why don't modern players lift the heel (Billy Mayfair is the last one I remember on tour) and is it really a bad thing for a club golfer to do?

 

[jenhaoyen]

i do that when i'm trying to go for longer distance in par 5's

 

[dannyc]

So, why don't modern players lift the heel (Billy Mayfair is the last one I remember on tour) and is it really a bad thing for a club golfer to do?

i would say it can be very beneficial for many golfers...helps identify a weight shift in the backswing, helps produce a counterfall (initiating downswing), and generally gives a sense of timing.
my guess for the reason most tour pros don't do it is because it just kind of fell out of fashion (someone thought it looked better, like having your spine straight and not rounded at setup). but their pivots, for the most part, are so good it doesn't matter (hell, they are tour players!). but for a weekend golfer, could help the pivot tremendously.

 

[kc8kir]

My first post on this forum was exactly the same question.

Basically it was looked down on when "resistance" in the backswing became all the rage.

I have gone through the same thing. Now lifting the left heel feels odd.

To me, rolling the foot instead feels much better and might give you back your distance (a result most likely of a better pivot action, counterfall, and kinetic chain snap into impact).

It certainly is helping me regain distance.

Jack Nicklaus is a fine swing model. Don't let anyone knock you for imitating the Golden Bear.

 

[cal7426]

Thanks for the responses. Your comments about the pivot are what set me off on this. I read Mr. Manzella's articles/posts on Perfect Pivot and tried it. When I practiced without a club I noticed my left heel was coming up naturally like the old days. However, when I do the "same" with a club my heel stays planted.

Anyhow, the consensus is that if your heel comes up that's fine, right?

 

[vjsinger]

As long as your pivot/arm lift pulls the heel up.

 

[dannyc]

As long as your pivot/arm lift pulls the heel up.

?
why is this?

 

[vjsinger]

If you fake it, meaning independently lift the heel on purpose, just to lift it, I would think you COULD get too far outside your trail leg on the backswing. There still has to be some wind-up on the backswing.

 

[jimmydean]

one of the problems with lifting the left heel is that it is very difficult to plant it in exactly the same position on the downswing on a consistent basis for most people. i prefer rolling the ankle on the backswing. just my two cents worth.
jimmy

 

[cal7426]

I think vj may be right with regard to the arm lift being responsible for the heel lifting or ankle roll. I remember when I was trying to stop my heel rising I would do those drills (which I associate with Faldo/Leadbetter - this was the mid 1990s) with a club across my chest and making a turn. The problem with that is it doesn't take account of the arms and I think when I put my arm lift in the heel would lift so I then got "flat" (more lessons) with my arms following my shoulders to prevent the heel lift.

I've ended up with a very neat, but powerless swing.

I bought the downloads of flipper and the soft draw pattern and abandoned soft draw until I had the flipper thing sorted. Anyhow, I watched it again last night and if I want to get to the recommended position at the top I have to lift my heel.

Jimmy, I take your point about planting in the same position I'll keep an eye on that. Thanks.

 

[blehnhard]

Worrying about replanting your left heel in the exact spot is like worrying about keeping your head still.

There are a number of world class players that don't lift their left heel during the backswing, and then do not have their left heel on the ground at impact (mostly on full out driver swings).

Bruce