"It is not the will to win that matters, everyone has that.
It is the will to prepare to win that matters." - Paul "Bear" Bryant
Tom's Featured Tip: Setup - Feet Square or Open?
Lesson Comments: What Students Have To Say
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Setup - Feet Square or Open?
For simplicity, all advice on actual swings or drills is provided from a right handed perspective.
Two Great Training Aids For Indoor or Outdoor Practice
The Divot Board
This is the most useful ball striking development training aid that I own.
Click here ImpactSnap.com to buy now. Start using the ImpactSnap training aid indoors or outdoors to make you instantly aware of proper hand action, which is second only to low point awareness for great ball striking.
Setup - Feet Square or Open?
In modern golf instruction, especially with swing styles that rely on "coiling" for power, it's fairly common to see setups being taught with the feet positioned perpendicular to the target line. Geometrically, this seems sound. The problem with this setup is that most people don't have the mobility in their hips to be able to accommodate this type of setup, especially so as they age.
I used to set up that way when I was younger and using a different type of swing than I do now, one that relied more on coiling than rotation to produce speed.
With my feet square, it seemed easy to time everything at impact to produce my desired draw ball flight.
I tried it out again about two years ago, and there was so much pressure on my left knee that it felt like it was going to snap. I had to allow my left foot to spin open right after impact to relieve that pressure.
It so happens that a lot of pros will also allow the left foot to pivot open in their follow through on their full swings, not the least of whom is Tiger Woods. Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed are a couple of others, and there are a lot more.
I thought that it was due to insufficient knee flexibility for me, but actually it relates to hip mobility.
Often times, what you'll see is that a player will have no problems in the backswing and downswing. But at some point in the follow through, the lead foot spins out or comes off the ground because it physically is unable to stay in the same place due in part to insufficient hip mobility.
If the left foot actually stayed planted in the same position, it could cause problems with the shot outcome, or worse yet, lead to injury.
One solution is to improve the mobility of your hips through targeted stretching and exercise.
The more practical solution is to set up with your rear foot perpendicular to the target line, and your front foot open to the target line.
If you are not used to it, your lead foot may look like it's turned outward quite a bit when you set up. Just make sure that it's , not turned outward to the point where it limits your backswing motion. Most of you reading this should still be able to complete your normal back swing even with the more "open" lead foot.
As for the rear foot, to me where you put that will depend on what's comfortable for you, and what you want to accomplish with your backswing.
For example, if you want a shorter, "coiled" type of backswing, you might make that trail foot be perpendicular to the target line. That's how Ben Hogan used to set up for his swings after his accident.
Personally, I find that I like to open both feet equally for the swing style I use, which depends more on swing length for speed than on "coiling" my shoulders against my hips.
For me it's a swing style related choice. It depends a lot on your swing style preference and your hip flexibility.
I suggest that as you age, you should start transitioning to opening the front foot a bit at a time, over time, regardless of your swing style. It's just easier on your body.
In my experience, the greatest benefit of opening at least the front foot in your stance is that is should allow you to swing through to a finish freely, since you won't be needing to make some compensatory move to avoid stress to your left side.
The added benefit is that you'll also be putting yourself at much less risk for long term injury.
Try it, you'll like it.
Comments: TomTuckerGolf@gmail.com
Love your practice, own your swing, own your health,
Tom
Golf Lessons
I conduct lessons at The Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility
there's a link for Plum Creek info here: http://www.tomtuckergolf.com/
Lessons are available for all ages and skill levels, please contact
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Buying a sponsored product through any of my affiliate links helps support this free newsletter, and I only affiliate with excellent products that I use myself. Thanks, Tom
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Club Champion Don't waste another dollar on clubs until you've gone through a fitting at Club Champion, 1669 Pittsford Victor Rd., Suite 400, Victor NY 14564. Call Master Fitter & Builder Jeff St. John. PGA work: (585) 978-8513, cell: (585) 831-2292 to schedule your fitting today! Mention my name and you'll get special attention.
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All the best,
Tom Tucker
Teaching Pro, Plum Creek Driving Range & Practice Facility
WGTF ' "Top 100 Golf Teacher"
USGTF Class "A" Teaching Professional
IGPA Certified Golf Psychology Coach
Cell: (716) 474-3005
Email: TomTuckerGolf@gmail.com
http://www.TomTuckerGolf.com
"There are no substitutes in the quest for perfection!"
~ Ben Hogan