The importance of the legs...

[slugger]

My golf has declined recently and my scores have been creeping up into the mid and high 90s, then at the weekend (hangover induced) i scored over 100 gross for the first time in a long time. I just couldn't figure it out, but i was leeking shots left and right

Had a chat with a playing partner (much better golfer than me) walking of the course and he pointed out that my legs had become very active in my swing the last couple of times out.

Went to the range last night and really worked on keeping my legs as steady and controlled as possible... hey presto. My swing plane is still the same, but now my legs are in control, my shots were flying straight again

Going to play a quick few holes after work and see how i get on and keeping the legs under control is going to be prominent in my mind.

Just thought i'd share this, incase anyone else has been struggling recently for no apparant reason...

worth a look

 

[slugger]

ok, no-one cares, but what an improvement last night.

played 9 holes, finished in the dark, and really concentrated on the legs.

after 9 holes i was back to playing how i was a month ago

6 over (gross) for the 9 holes... next time i'm slipping with the golf i'll look back on this thread for a wee reminder

 

[Twire]

Trouble is slugger, you'll be concentrating so hard on your legs, that something else will go.


I've had a pretty poor summer golf wise. Last weekend was the final straw. I went to the driving range yesterday to try and sort out my destructive swing, which is over the top (out to in) resulting in a straight pull left. After about 20 balls, I realised I wasn't rotating much from the hips. It seemed to be all upper body. Once I had sorted that out, and got my belt buckle pointing 45 degrees right, and my left shoulder under my chin at the top of the back-swing. From that position, I found it easier to drop the club inside than it was to go over the top. This was a bit of a revelation for me, as I've never actually been in that position at the top of my back-swing before, it felt a little uncomfortable, but I was creaming the ball, and not once came over the top. I was pushing the ball out right a little, but I'm sure that can be corrected with practice, and getting the hands through. I can't wait to try it out on the course now, but there's one sure thing. Once I get that right, something else will go.

 

[Ethan]

If you look at good players, there are two findings in common related to the legs and hips. First, they don't take a large hip turn, but rotate the upper body against the hips and stable lower half to create a large differential turn (also known as the X factor). This gives a lot of torque and stored power.

Then they begin the downswing from the ground up, driving the legs, which turns the hips which crates lag and allows the upper body to uncoil late.

 

[DCB]

You have to be carefull in what you do with the leg action. I've had a torrid time because lack of leg action has affected body turn which in effect stops me swinging through and turning through the ball properly.

It's all interconnected so be carefull waht you tinker with.