Ask the Pro
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Here are questions submitted by golfers from all over the world and my responses to them. They are arranged from most recent to least recent (top to bottom) and the archive contains all the questions and answers that have appeared here in the "Ask the Pro" section (which is the tiniest fraction of the total number of questions that have been submitted). The archive index has the questions and answers organized by topic and somewhat alphabetized. You may find it interesting reading to see what others are asking and you can also ask a question yourself. But, be sure to check the Q's & A's here on this page, the FAQ's and the archive first, as your question may already have been answered.
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Answer:
Hi John,
The bottom line is whether or not you can repeat your move(s), and for that reason the less moves the better, in my opinion. I wouldn't call lifting the heel and bending the knee inward "wrong", exactly, but I would think of it as extraneous. So I would not recommend doing it unless it was already a deeply ingrained part of your feel and you were satisfied with your swing results, overall.
I doubt that that one move is a make-or-break aspect of your technique by itself, but I'd have to see your swing to comment further on that. Billy Mayfair does not seem to be having a problem with it, and there are a few others that do this, to one degree or another, and make it work.
I'm not sure when this move went out of favor (certainly decades ago). It was most likely just propagated by imitation more than anything else, but it is a fairly natural feeling when coiling the upper body and loading the weight onto the back foot -- especially for people that lack flexibility.
It has been suggested that lifting the heel diminishes the stretch between the feet and pelvic girdle in the backswing, which would decrease power, all else being equal. This is true but it may not be that critical for most players, and it can be compensated for in the downswing. Again, I guess I wouldn't say lifting the heel up and turning the knee in is wrong, if done moderately; just that it's a complication.
It has also been thought that only people with poor flexibility, or of relatively large girth, need to lift the heel to "get a big enough turn" on the backswing. Not only is the whole subject of getting a big enough turn debatable, but once you've seen, say, Paul Azinger lift the heel (he is not exactly of large girth) clearly it's not only done by rounder players.
If lifting the heel is an integral part of one's timing system or feel, then it may be that the benefit derived from that move outweighs the downside of its complexity. Again, the bottom line is can you make it work.
Ideally your swing would be as uncomplicated as possible and therefore more easily repeated. To find out about all the least complicated moves for the golf swing see my book "The Full Swing."
And to work on your technique with me in person set up a "Private Custom Golf School."
Thanks for visiting PGAProfessional.com. MB
Question:
June 12, 2008
I am only 5' 5" and when swinging my woods they seem un-naturally long. I understand the longer the farther but they don't seem to swing on the proper plane as with taller players. Are there options?
Richard Luszcak
Bellevue, Nebraska
Answer:
Hi Richard,
Yes, get fitted in person by a reputable professional with club fitting expertise. Choking up, getting shorter clubs, adjusting lie angles are all possible. But technique will still be the most important thing. Thanks for visiting and best of luck with your game. MB
Question:
May 30, 2008
[What is the] difference [between a] senior driver and a ladies driver?
Bill Murray
Lakeland, Tennessee
Answer:
Hi Bill,
The Ladies driver is probably shorter, it probably has a smaller grip, it is probably lighter and it probably has a softer shaft. But you would have to have both of the specific clubs in question tested and compared by a professional with club fitting experience to know for sure. There is wide variety between clubs and manufacturers. Thanks for visiting and best of luck with your game. MB
Question:
May 7, 2008
When I take the club back and my wrist cock I have a problem letting go of the club with my left hand and the club falls down on my neck. I don't want to grip the club too tight, then I lose feel. Help??
Bernie Neal
Hinton, WV
Answer:
Hi Bernie,
Maintain flesh-to-grip contact with the heel of your left hand (no rubbing either) using the fingers of the left hand without squeezing tightly. This one aspect of the swing takes practice all by itself. Thanks for visiting and best of luck with your game. MB
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