Straight Leg

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jamnet

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I tried doing a search in the forum and couldn't find a definitive answer and also I'm not too sure how important this is in the golf swing, but when I look at modern day professional swings it looks like their left leg is pretty much straight at impact (right handed players), my left leg straightens after impact, close to when my arms are at the three o'clock position. Is a straight left leg at impact a good position to get into and if so what thoughts or drills are good to get into that position?

Cheers!
 
Richie3Jack

Richie3Jack

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I think it's necessary to understand that the leg may straighten at impact, but the left knee is still flexed and is not locked. The theory of 'posting up on a straight left leg at impact' I find to be harmful because if you lock that left knee or come close to it, you're likely to come over the top.

Look at their left knee, it's still flexed to some degree.

MOE NORMAN
moe2.jpg


BEN HOGAN
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3JACK
 
gmbtempe

gmbtempe

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Doesn't a straight left leg inhibit rotation of the hip, seems like it would be hard to swing left as its been discussed on this site?
 
Richie3Jack

Richie3Jack

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gmbtempe said:
Doesn't a straight left leg inhibit rotation of the hip, seems like it would be hard to swing left as its been discussed on this site?
Click to expand...

No, the opposite...unless I'm missing something.

If your leg is straight, or even worse locked, the hips will rotate more. I have had a problem with locking my right knee on the backswing and noticed that my hip turn was way too much. So I worked on getting some flex in the right knee and the hip turn was now much less.

Swinging left is just rotating the plane line to the left. When I try to swing left, I just aim my body slightly to the left and swing along my body like I would do if I was trying to swing square to the target or swing to the right. Aim the clubface square at the target, move the body slightly left, swing along the lines of the body.




3JACK
 
J

jamnet

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I was thinking for a normal 6 iron swing .... is there different leg action depending on the club and swing? What would the leg action be for a full out driver and a partial wedge shot?
 
K

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
In Brian's "pull back, run up, and jump', the jump part will thrust the left shoulder back and more than likely straighten the left leg. If this move helps you without any stress or spin out prior to impact, go for it. With a wedge, there may be a softening of the leg to move more down and through wheras there should be more "jump" when smashing one off of a tee.
 
J

jamnet

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OK, thanks ... I have a few of Brian's videos, but I don't think I have the one that describes this move, do you know what video this is in? Maybe it's time for a belated Christmas present to myself!!
 
A

azgolfer

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The modern swing has a post up move, straightening the leg with less lateral movement. Tiger's problem was 'snapping' the left leg and he had a pretty violent downswing with a dip in it. The key to this move seems to be having a lot of strength in the left glute and flexibility in the left hip. Try standing on your left heel with your spine at a 45 degree angle and your shoulders facing the target. It's very difficult to do and I think this prevents most people from having a good downswing, as they don't have a single pivot point, and can't maintain their spine angle. I've been working on this for a couple of weeks and having the strength and flexibility to hit from this position makes a huge difference. Take a look at this picture and try and put your body in this position. I bet you can't come close, but after a couple of weeks of working on it, I can.

[media]http://www.90wine.com/ErnieSpine.png[/media]
 
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azgolfer

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Should show now, I set my computer not to sleep.

BTW, changing your pivot like this makes you rotate much faster around your spine, which caused a sore back for me. So it's probably best if you work into it slowly.

I think most people swing with the upper body in the downswing to compensate for an unstable base (weak pivot). The shoulders arms and hands act, instead of reacting. So if you get your pivot to trigger the upper body and you haven't lost the 'spin the top' move, it can cause a really fast shoulder turn, risking injury.
 
birdie_man

birdie_man

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I see a lot of pros do this move and I wonder if it can allow me to get the left hip out of the way and perhaps move my path more to the left. But to me it has always seemed somewhat unnatural. Perhaps even unathletic.

I can only speak for me at this point though. (really) And these are only feels mostly.

I've always felt most balanced and most athletic on my left heel. And with a "hump." (giggity giggity) I have been trying to break it though.
 
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birdie_man

birdie_man

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I don't hit it very well.

Right now I've gotta think I will always swing with a fairly fast tempo. But if there is a way to throttle that back some in a way that is beneficial to my game then I will find it. I'm always trying to "break" my current way of swinging. Lately I have been deveopling my "feel player" side, if that makes any sense.

These days though ya...the goat is not too happy Dan. :)
 
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