HEY PAUL,FOR ME,THE HARDEST THING ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROCEDURE,IS WHEN U BEGIN TO “LOCK & THEREBY STRAIGHTEN THE LEFT LEG,I SEEM TO STAND UP,AND TEND TO TOP THE BALL BY SO DOING,,IS THERE ANYWAY TO STRAIGHTEN THE LEG AND KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN,AT THE SAME TIME,,,OR IS THIS SIMPLY A MATTER OF BAD TIMING???
This is a really good tip for me at the opportune time in my practice. The advice to think about locking the knee when you are at the top of the backswing really allows time to do it soon enough, and the slomo view from the front showed how much you had turned before you made contact.
I now have your book and videos and they are most helpful especially the book, it’s wonderful
Glad you like my products. I appreciate the feedback.
Yes, trying to lock the leg right away is critical. By the the most people even think about doing this they have already hit the ball. You need to do it from the top. This gets the lower body ahead of the arms coming down. Keep at it until you are good at it.
Hey Paul,
by doing those practise swings on a daily basis in order to get rid of hitting the ball with my arms and turn my hip instead, the bad thing I’m starting to feel right now is a certain pain in my left knee as soon as I turn my weight on the left leg.
My question: I tried to ease the pain by opening my left foot to the left at address (no longer 90 but about 45 degrees to the elignement stick). Would that be another problem for the whole swing and sequence? Is there different way to prevent that kind of pain?
Thanks again for all your help and advice
Hartmut
In the tip I said start off slowly. You are not good at it. So immediately slow down and just get your body at least doing the move. Once you are better at it do some easy practice swings. Then speed up the practice swings. Then apply it to the ball.
I can’t believe you had the lead foot straight to begin with. This is a HUGE problem. I did a tip on it here:
Also, make sure you throw some balls overhand out in front of you to get the feeling of the movement. I guarantee this knee never hurts when you throw a ball. It is the same move in the golf swing so it should never hurt either. If it does you are doing it wrong. So feel the movement, do it slowly and build up.
Paul,Excellent video :it just comes at the same time I have been “experimenting “on this straigtht/locked “left leg question :I found out that I gained 7 MPH in my clubhead swing speed doing this simple move (Measured on the SSRT ).To make it the most effective possible,I use your key ” of pushing off hard from the right instep and right big toe ,but also by “kicking ” backwards – 45
Glad you are getting more power with this move. It is critical for power.
You are never going to do it as fast as Tiger Woods. I have done this hundreds of thousands if not millions of times and I have never has a problem. If you feel any pain slow down.
You should be about 6-7 inches from the butt of the club to the belt buckle. This gives you enough clearance as the club swings through. I think you are in the ball park. An inch here or there isn’t going to matter.
I’m a visual learner. The super slo-mo is outstanding. One can watch your swing and visualize it when practicing or playing. Then just try to copy it. Great technology.
Hi Paul The impression i get is that there is no leeway leg gets locked, when i swing leg gets 90 % locked ,but still a little room left for complete lock ,i get the impression i should be looking to get that 10 % more lock.
Over time I have tried using all of the downswing triggers and, for me, locking the left leg has been the most successful. I think it may be because I am left handed (and left footed) and playing golf right handed. I was a switch hitter in baseball so wasn’t sure what to do when golf came along. Someone gave me right handed clubs, so that was the deciding factor for me. I have been trying recently using the same trigger that you prefer and trying to get more “separation” in my downswing. I have not done well with that when actually hitting balls (lots.of pushed shots mostly) so I want to backup to a point where I was having success and maybe get back increasing the separation in the future. I went back to this tip to get back on track. The slow motion is really helpful for sure. It’s wonderful that you recognize that people learn differently and that you provide different ways to accomplish the same desired result. One of the things that separates your instruction from the rest.
If you are left handed swinging right handed then yes the locking on the lead leg may work better for you. The pushes are you firing the lower way faster which is a good thing. I guess you didn’t watch this tip:
WOW . . . I had not watched the tip you referred me too. It seems to address exactly what I was experiencing when I tried to fire my lower body faster to gain more separation in my swing. I was thinking that I was probably getting some sway in my downswing and that was causing the pushes and that I needed to make sure that my lead leg was really locking as I know it should. I hadn’t given a bit of thought to the timing of the release. I will work on that now and get the ball hooking before trying to fire the hips faster. I will need to take this one to the range so that I know for sure that the hooking is actually happening. Would love to have that breakthrough for more distance while not giving up accuracy to get it. Getting replies from you is really like having a personal swing coach which is really special. Yet another reason that your instruction is a cut above. Don’t understand why anyone would feel the need to look elsewhere for help. All the answers are really on this site and when you need extra attention, that is available also.
Glad you liked it. You do the roll over first and you can drive the legs as hard as you want. If you do not fire them hard enough it will pull. So watch your ball. It will tell you when you have fired them enough. Then remember that feeling.
I will just keep doing what I am doing. Hopefully, more and more people hear about it. So many people need help out there.
I keep telling people about the site, but not sure if any of them have actually joined. I don’t even tell them about any possible discount for my future membership anymore because I don’t want them thinking that is my motivation. I’m happy to keep paying the regular price as it is already a good deal. I just want them to know that you are out there so the can get more enjoyment out of this game like I have. Whenever I get a good comment on my swing (which happens more & more), I tell them where to go. That didn’t sound right, but you know what I mean.
Thanks for the promo. I truly appreciate the help. I love how people ask my students about the swing. I like it more when a student decides they are going to go for a lesson with a local pro and they don’t have anything to tell them to work on. That’s a good thing.
I am not sure my right arm completely straightens on the follow through. I am guessing you would say that it will straighten if it is loose? Or do I consciously have to straighten it?
For right now, I would be trying to straighten the arm. If it is not fully extended then you have a chicken wing and your golf shots will not be long, consistent nor have the sound quality/divot taken. Check out these tips for more:
How To Cure A Chicken Wing – Part 1: https://ignitiongolf.com/chicken-wing-cure-1/
I might have trouble with my left ankle, I broke badly and they put 9 screws and plate from my ankle up about 7 to 8 inches up. Is there another way for my left side to turn.
Make sure that your left foot is turned out 25-30 degrees, this is a pretty common for people to not turn out their front foot and it becomes tough for people to fully turn. Next I would be allowing the front foot to roll onto the outside edge of it and not keeping it planted on the ground when into the follow through. I would alos be thinking about making sure that you find a good stretching routine for your legs and hips. Such as:
It should be turned out about 25-30 degrees at your setup position. But you do not want that foot to rotate anymore or move from that when hitting the golf ball.
It seems to me that when you are taking your stance with the driver that the ball is more towards the toe of the clubface than towards the centre of it. Is it right or is it an optical illusion ?
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27 Responses to “Lock the Lead Leg at Three Quarters Through”
September 15, 2013
LinusLeBlancIt lools like your lead knee is twisting. Knees are not meant to twist.
September 15, 2013
Paul WilsonLinus,
The knee is not twisting. If it was I would be in pain everytime I swung.
September 16, 2013
richmosneyHEY PAUL,FOR ME,THE HARDEST THING ABOUT THIS WHOLE PROCEDURE,IS WHEN U BEGIN TO “LOCK & THEREBY STRAIGHTEN THE LEFT LEG,I SEEM TO STAND UP,AND TEND TO TOP THE BALL BY SO DOING,,IS THERE ANYWAY TO STRAIGHTEN THE LEG AND KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN,AT THE SAME TIME,,,OR IS THIS SIMPLY A MATTER OF BAD TIMING???
September 18, 2013
Paul WilsonRich,
You need to be turning not jumping. I included this tip right below the tip I posted.
Watch:
It
September 16, 2013
BarryHooperHi Paul
This is a really good tip for me at the opportune time in my practice. The advice to think about locking the knee when you are at the top of the backswing really allows time to do it soon enough, and the slomo view from the front showed how much you had turned before you made contact.
I now have your book and videos and they are most helpful especially the book, it’s wonderful
September 18, 2013
Paul WilsonBarry,
Glad you like my products. I appreciate the feedback.
Yes, trying to lock the leg right away is critical. By the the most people even think about doing this they have already hit the ball. You need to do it from the top. This gets the lower body ahead of the arms coming down. Keep at it until you are good at it.
September 16, 2013
HartmutBeilmannHey Paul,
by doing those practise swings on a daily basis in order to get rid of hitting the ball with my arms and turn my hip instead, the bad thing I’m starting to feel right now is a certain pain in my left knee as soon as I turn my weight on the left leg.
My question: I tried to ease the pain by opening my left foot to the left at address (no longer 90 but about 45 degrees to the elignement stick). Would that be another problem for the whole swing and sequence? Is there different way to prevent that kind of pain?
Thanks again for all your help and advice
Hartmut
September 18, 2013
Paul WilsonHartmut,
In the tip I said start off slowly. You are not good at it. So immediately slow down and just get your body at least doing the move. Once you are better at it do some easy practice swings. Then speed up the practice swings. Then apply it to the ball.
I can’t believe you had the lead foot straight to begin with. This is a HUGE problem. I did a tip on it here:
Left Foot Out: https://ignitiongolf.com/foot-position
Also, make sure you throw some balls overhand out in front of you to get the feeling of the movement. I guarantee this knee never hurts when you throw a ball. It is the same move in the golf swing so it should never hurt either. If it does you are doing it wrong. So feel the movement, do it slowly and build up.
September 17, 2013
RaymondCHASTELPaul,Excellent video :it just comes at the same time I have been “experimenting “on this straigtht/locked “left leg question :I found out that I gained 7 MPH in my clubhead swing speed doing this simple move (Measured on the SSRT ).To make it the most effective possible,I use your key ” of pushing off hard from the right instep and right big toe ,but also by “kicking ” backwards – 45
September 18, 2013
Paul WilsonRaymond,
Glad you are getting more power with this move. It is critical for power.
You are never going to do it as fast as Tiger Woods. I have done this hundreds of thousands if not millions of times and I have never has a problem. If you feel any pain slow down.
You should be about 6-7 inches from the butt of the club to the belt buckle. This gives you enough clearance as the club swings through. I think you are in the ball park. An inch here or there isn’t going to matter.
September 18, 2013
LenKoblenzHi Paul,
I’m a visual learner. The super slo-mo is outstanding. One can watch your swing and visualize it when practicing or playing. Then just try to copy it. Great technology.
Thanks,
Len
September 20, 2013
Paul WilsonLen,
Glad you like the slo-mo. Just copy what I am doing. I like this thought.
March 15, 2014
barrybowerHi Paul The impression i get is that there is no leeway leg gets locked, when i swing leg gets 90 % locked ,but still a little room left for complete lock ,i get the impression i should be looking to get that 10 % more lock.
March 16, 2014
Paul WilsonBarry,
I want it locked by three quarters though. Stay focused. Get used to it. Throw some balls overhand to get the feeling.
November 8, 2015
RYDGJROver time I have tried using all of the downswing triggers and, for me, locking the left leg has been the most successful. I think it may be because I am left handed (and left footed) and playing golf right handed. I was a switch hitter in baseball so wasn’t sure what to do when golf came along. Someone gave me right handed clubs, so that was the deciding factor for me. I have been trying recently using the same trigger that you prefer and trying to get more “separation” in my downswing. I have not done well with that when actually hitting balls (lots.of pushed shots mostly) so I want to backup to a point where I was having success and maybe get back increasing the separation in the future. I went back to this tip to get back on track. The slow motion is really helpful for sure. It’s wonderful that you recognize that people learn differently and that you provide different ways to accomplish the same desired result. One of the things that separates your instruction from the rest.
November 8, 2015
Paul WilsonGary,
If you are left handed swinging right handed then yes the locking on the lead leg may work better for you. The pushes are you firing the lower way faster which is a good thing. I guess you didn’t watch this tip:
Golf Swing Timing For More Distance: https://ignitiongolf.com/timing-more-distance/
One you do you may want to re-think going backwards. Sounds to me like you are ready for a huge breakthrough.
November 9, 2015
RYDGJRWOW . . . I had not watched the tip you referred me too. It seems to address exactly what I was experiencing when I tried to fire my lower body faster to gain more separation in my swing. I was thinking that I was probably getting some sway in my downswing and that was causing the pushes and that I needed to make sure that my lead leg was really locking as I know it should. I hadn’t given a bit of thought to the timing of the release. I will work on that now and get the ball hooking before trying to fire the hips faster. I will need to take this one to the range so that I know for sure that the hooking is actually happening. Would love to have that breakthrough for more distance while not giving up accuracy to get it. Getting replies from you is really like having a personal swing coach which is really special. Yet another reason that your instruction is a cut above. Don’t understand why anyone would feel the need to look elsewhere for help. All the answers are really on this site and when you need extra attention, that is available also.
November 10, 2015
Paul WilsonGary,
Glad you liked it. You do the roll over first and you can drive the legs as hard as you want. If you do not fire them hard enough it will pull. So watch your ball. It will tell you when you have fired them enough. Then remember that feeling.
I will just keep doing what I am doing. Hopefully, more and more people hear about it. So many people need help out there.
November 10, 2015
RYDGJRI keep telling people about the site, but not sure if any of them have actually joined. I don’t even tell them about any possible discount for my future membership anymore because I don’t want them thinking that is my motivation. I’m happy to keep paying the regular price as it is already a good deal. I just want them to know that you are out there so the can get more enjoyment out of this game like I have. Whenever I get a good comment on my swing (which happens more & more), I tell them where to go. That didn’t sound right, but you know what I mean.
November 10, 2015
Paul WilsonGary,
Thanks for the promo. I truly appreciate the help. I love how people ask my students about the swing. I like it more when a student decides they are going to go for a lesson with a local pro and they don’t have anything to tell them to work on. That’s a good thing.
March 25, 2020
mikeschickI am not sure my right arm completely straightens on the follow through. I am guessing you would say that it will straighten if it is loose? Or do I consciously have to straighten it?
March 26, 2020
Paul WilsonFor right now, I would be trying to straighten the arm. If it is not fully extended then you have a chicken wing and your golf shots will not be long, consistent nor have the sound quality/divot taken. Check out these tips for more:
How To Cure A Chicken Wing – Part 1: https://ignitiongolf.com/chicken-wing-cure-1/
How To Cure A Chicken Wing – Part 2: https://ignitiongolf.com/chicken-wing-cure-2/
Chair Drill – To Eliminate Chicken Wing: https://ignitiongolf.com/try-to-hit-chair/
March 29, 2020
RichardJesterHi Paul,
I might have trouble with my left ankle, I broke badly and they put 9 screws and plate from my ankle up about 7 to 8 inches up. Is there another way for my left side to turn.
March 30, 2020
Paul WilsonMake sure that your left foot is turned out 25-30 degrees, this is a pretty common for people to not turn out their front foot and it becomes tough for people to fully turn. Next I would be allowing the front foot to roll onto the outside edge of it and not keeping it planted on the ground when into the follow through. I would alos be thinking about making sure that you find a good stretching routine for your legs and hips. Such as:
5 Ways To Stretch Your Hip Flexor: https://ignitiongolf.com/hip-flexor-5-ways/
March 29, 2020
mikeschickCan you let that left foot rotate out on the follow thru?
March 30, 2020
Paul WilsonIt should be turned out about 25-30 degrees at your setup position. But you do not want that foot to rotate anymore or move from that when hitting the golf ball.
Forward Foot: https://ignitiongolf.com/follow-through-forward-foot/
Front Foot Out: https://ignitiongolf.com/foot-position
April 26, 2021
ThierryVERBEETHello Paul,
It seems to me that when you are taking your stance with the driver that the ball is more towards the toe of the clubface than towards the centre of it. Is it right or is it an optical illusion ?