Swing tip

[andycap]

Watching the recent matchplay coverage where the commentary team often have to fill time as there is not always a lot of golf being played. Butch Harman ran a video on someones swing( can't recall who). Well he said about the knee movement, as you start the backswing the left knee starts to bend and should bend directly towards the ball .As you start the downswing the same knee should start to come back on the same path .Well i liked the sound of this and it is not something i've seen dealt with in books etc.
Over the last week i've been to the range trying this on long irons /woods , taken a while to get the timing right but its coming together and the improvement in my swing, both accuracy and power has been remarkable. On backswing if i'm concious of moving my knee towards the ball it eliminates any tendancy to sway ,keeping your weight where it should be and head movement minimal. On the downswing i use the straightening of the knee as my first move ensuring that the downswing starts from the bottom up as it should . It seems to automatically make me start to rotate ensuring that the body is out of the way when the arms come through.
For me this was something that felt right as soon as i tried it (in front of the tv with no golf club). I don't post too often particually on technical issues not feeling qualified to do so, but thought i'd share this based on the marked improvement it's given me .Hope it helps ,

 

[birdieman]

...You put the left knee in....the left knee out...in...out...in...out...shake it all about....

Seriously does this knee move not just happen automatically in a golf swing? It does in mine!

 

[andycap]

...You put the left knee in....the left knee out...in...out...in...out...shake it all about....

Seriously does this knee move not just happen automatically in a golf swing? It does in mine!

Perhaps. It may be that it didn't for me and it has now stopped any swaying that has enabled me to come back to the ball square and with power

 

[RGuk]

I read and studied a bit about Butch Harmon's ideas. If this works for you....great! It seems pretty logical and might happen naturaly anyway. If it isn't, it wouldn't be the first thing I would look to work on.....but some small things can make a big difference for some players.

Personaly, I get my flex correct and keep it throughout the swing (it's amazing how many talented player "come up" during the backswing), and keep the knees braced "a la Faldo". Learning to not lock my knees/legs (at all, even a tiny bit!) and keep the same height throughout the swing was one the the best lessons I ever had.

 

[Dave3498]

I don't post too often particually on technical issues not feeling qualified to do so,

You're just as qualified as any of us. If you've got a tip that works for you, it could well work for others. Keep 'em coming, and thanks for this one.

 

[Hogan_Fan]

Sounds interesting. I use the method Mr.Hogan describes in his book The 5 Lessons. He recommends that both knees point inwards at address as this helps 1)the left knee to break in naturally on the backswing and 2)the right knee to help initiate the throughswing along with the hips. Works for me anyway!

 

[Nico]

Since I have been seeing my guy we have only once worked on the "through swing". Every lesson we start with posture,then takeaway and finally position at the top.

Posture is the key!!!

I would urge anyone of any ability to make the fundamentals their first priority,a good posture makes doing everything else so much easier.
He uses my right foot to initiate the through swing.

 

[RGuk]

I would urge anyone of any ability to make the fundamentals their first priority, a good posture makes doing everything else so much easier.

Couldn't agree more. Also, a good posture ruined by straightening the legs during the backswing is a wasted posture.

How often do I see a player address the ball picture perfect, then swing it back, let the right knee lose it's flex and the left knee suddenly break away towards the ball??? such a waste. I see this every ******* time I play. Good posture, decent swing, wrecked by crap legs.

Keep the knees flexed, keep them braced (not concrete though!) and then the rest will follow.

 

[Nico]

No doubt about that!!

I find that once my posture is ok I can find my first position (shaft parallel with floor) with little effort and from there it is pretty tough to balls it up although I can.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to admit I'm guilty of the dancing leg syndrome. The left knee collapses from time to time towards my right leg. The right knee then collpases as the weight shifts and I follow through.

Its been a major weakness over the years. I have to keep an eye on it but it only really happens at the range after a long session of if I am on the course but not really focussed on my round. Get a bit lazy with my swing - all arms and no turn

 

[Nico]

Homer, I can recommend my man. He teaches really close to you.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Nico

PM and let me know the details