Left Foot Lifting on the Back Swing

by Peter Cartwright
(Australia)

Hi Louis,

Really enjoying your 'feel' approach to the golf swing! Adds dynamics into garage practice after work and golf swing mind experiments that you can't get out of magazines etc.

Got a question for you...

On the back swing what is my leading foot doing .. is it flat or is the heal lifting (shades of Leslie King you see, a habit that I do feel comfortable with!)

Kind regards - Peter

Hi Peter,
Thanks for your enquiry. Yes there is nothing wrong with the left foot lifting as long as you do not lift the body with it. Some of us are not that flexible and it would then feel comfortable to " let it lift."

If you can keep it on the ground it would be better for creating a good resistance with the body wind up in the back swing. You will maybe sacrifice back swing length with the arm swing but as long as you can turn your shoulders to their maximum it should not matter.

Jack Nicklaus is a great example and used to let his left heel lift on the back swing.

One word of warning about letting the left foot lift, make sure it comes down in the same position it was in before the lift.

Cheers,
Louis