Weight distribution and Down Swing Issue

by Gary
(Naperville , Illinois.)

I was hitting balls the other day and discovered that at address my weight seemed to be a little more on my back foot, instead of evenly distributed.

I tried making a conscious effort to put slightly more weight on my left foot(I'm right handed).
Is there a good way to tell if my weight is even or not?

I assume a slight amount of weight to the front foot is better!

I also have a bit of a problem with the feeling (based on results) that my hips are ahead of my arms on the down swing.

Im getting the feeling that my back swing is fairly solid but on the way down I sometimes feel like my swing gets too close to my body and I pull it to the left.

I can feel( on artificial turf right now) that I am chunking it a little.

I am trying to keep my eyes steady and down a little longer...exaggerating the length of time.

Is my theory helpful to my problem?

Thanks
Gary

Louis answer:

Gary,

If you are leaning too much on the right side at address you will most likely be there at impact. This can be the reason for your shots going left.

The best way to feel that your weight distribution is correct at address is to first check your upper body position. The spine angle should be leaning slightly away from your target and the right shoulder slightly lower than the left.

The right hand position on the grip being lower than your left hand allows this position to feel comfortable and more natural and your body set in behind the ball.

The importance of this position is that it allows you to turn the upper body around your spine angle very easily and correctly in the back swing.

With this address position I have described, you can feel your weight evenly distributed in the insides of your feet between the ball and heel of the feet.

If your weight is not 50 percent on both feet then move your hips slightly left or right till you feel a balance of 50 percent on the inside of both feet.

You may notice your left side from your shoulder to the lower leg is almost vertical and the right side is curved inwards towards the left side.

This is a good address position to swing from, a ready position to move and transfer weight both ways.

The hips need to lead the down swing and I believe what I have told you about addressing the ball better, you will be able to transfer weight to the left on the down swing, and yes, feel the left hip lead your hands.

The left hip and hands do work in unison throughout the swing, especially on the down swing, but what is vital on the down swing is bumping the weight left at the same time the hands come down.

Leave the hands behind and you will most probably hit the ball to the right of target because the they will be too late.

Swinging too close to your body on the down swing and chunking it, sounds like you are standing too close to the ball at address. Your downswing is too steep.(this could all stem from your present address position with the body)

Check your hands distance from the ball at address. It will always be determined by the posture your body is in. Do a posture check here   golf swing posture.


You always want to have a free arm and hand swing as possible without the body being in the way. This is the best way to swing from the inside to outside of the target path.

Your head should swivel with your right shoulder once it reaches impact on the down swing. Keeping the head down too long will prevent you from firing the right side through the ball vital for getting through the ball to a good finish position

Hope this helps!

Always a pleasure,
Louis