If your alignment at address is to the left, a correct golf swing will send the golf ball to the left as well. If your upper and lower body are aligned at impact, and your golf ball flies in a straight line, your footwork may be the cause of your ball flight to the left.
Full Answer
Why does the ball go to the left in golf?
If your upper body rotates out of your backswing before your lower body, your angle of attack will be aimed to the left at the point of impact. As you finish your swing, the ball will fly in the direction you are now pointing, which is to the left.
How do left handed golfers hit a push?
Here is Roger Gunn's checklist for a left-handed golfer hitting a push: 1 Grip: The grip is not normally a factor with a push. 2 Set-up: Make sure you aren't aiming too far to the left of the target line, or that your shoulders are aligned too far to the left. 3 Ball Position: You might have the ball too far back in the stance. ... More items...
Do you hit the golf ball off the toe?
This is a subtle sign, but it is often the first issue you will notice when you start to hit the ball off the toe. A shot that is struck on the toe rather than on the sweet spot will usually come up short of the target – often by a significant margin.
Where do you hit the ball in golf?
One of the very basic fundamentals of the game is hitting the ball squarely in the middle of the club face. When was the last time you thought about where on the club face you were hitting the ball?
Should your left foot lift in golf swing?
It's OK to lift your left foot off the ground a little. And current players such as Bubba Watson do it also. Lifting your left heel up will help you rotate your hips for a bigger turn in your backswing. So if you're struggling with power and clubhead speed, then let your left heel lift up a bit.
How do I stop my left foot from moving in my golf swing?
3:194:32Golf Lesson Left Foot Control - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust without the ball even feel the weight moving feel the pressure on that left foot moving as youMoreJust without the ball even feel the weight moving feel the pressure on that left foot moving as you push down into it to come in to hit the ball even with a slow a few slow swings and hit some shots.
What do you do with your left foot in golf?
Many golfers are taught to keep their toes turned-in more so their toes are pointed perpendicular to the target line. But by turning his left foot out more, Molinari said it created more speed by freeing-up his hips and allowing them to move more freely through the ball.
What golfers lift their left heel?
In today's world, the list of those players who allow their left heel to leave the ground is considerably shorter then in earlier days. Those that immediately come to mind are Jack Nicklaus, John Daly, Bubba Watson, Tom Watson, and the late Payne Stewart.
How do you keep your weight on the front foot of golf?
3:1411:03Why Weight Forward in the Golf Swing! The Stack and Tilt System Key to ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipForward i don't have any chance of my weight moving backwards so that is the drill for you theMoreForward i don't have any chance of my weight moving backwards so that is the drill for you the weight forward drill of putting all the weight on the left leg.
Should my front foot move golf swing?
Players that lift the front foot should create the movement at the appropriate time. Try to minimize the lower body during the swing. Players will generate more consistency if they start slow and minimize front foot and lower body movements until the club is parallel with the ground.
Should you lift front heel in golf swing?
5:0010:24GOLF BACKSWING TIP - SHOULD YOU LIFT THE FORWARD HEEL ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt needs to come down where it started okay you can't go like this lift the heel a little and thenMoreIt needs to come down where it started okay you can't go like this lift the heel a little and then you know slide all over the place. So the heel is going to come up because you're rotating.
Should your weight be on your heels in golf?
When I see players struggling to make solid contact, one of the first things I check is where they set their weight at address. Your weight should be 50-50 on your left and right legs and between the balls of your feet (those cushioned pads just below your toes) and your heels.
Is it OK to lift your heel in backswing?
In the backswing, they lift the lead heel off the ground and rotate their hips, letting the shoulders make a full, power-rich turn. From that spot, they're perfectly positioned to hit the shots that made them legends. This freedom of movement creates time, rhythm, speed — the keys to power and creativity in shotmaking.
When should I transfer weight in golf swing?
3:4211:15How To TRANSFER Your WEIGHT In The Golf Swing - Irons & DriverYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipInto that trailer leg at the right point of the golf swing which is incredibly. Important whilstMoreInto that trailer leg at the right point of the golf swing which is incredibly. Important whilst maintaining a pretty steady. Head once you've done that bring the golf club. In.
How to cut across the ball?
Do you have trouble cutting across the ball? You might look to the position of your left foot and the action of the left hip. The first step would be to place your left foot at a 90-degree angle to the target line. The second step would be to turn you left hip around in a half circle as if tracing the inside of a barrel. The third step would be to feel that you left your left hip remains in the same position as you scissor your weight towards your left toe, and then your right heel, allowing the club to travel on the same path. The combination of these changes will encourage the club to swing in-to-out, improving the path of your swing.
What is the best position to hit the ball?
THE POWER OF THE LEFT HEEL. There is an inherent advantage to placing the left-foot at a 90-degree to the target-line. It is the strongest physical position against which to hit the ball, as it provides a powerful post at impact that serves to increase both power and consistency.
What was the secret of the golfer's swing?
The “secret” they were describing was that after lifting his left heel in the backswing, he replanted it in the downswing with his heel closer to the target line than his toe. The intimation was that this might be a secret source of power in his swing.
What angle of golfer's left foot did Hogan use?
The spin-out was made even worse by the 15-degree angle of the left foot Hogan offered. That said, based on Hogan’s stature in the golf world, his advice regarding the positioning of the feet was treated as if it were gospel and adopted by both players and teachers. Since that time his hip action has been debated, but the positioning of the left foot has remained unquestioned — until today.
What angle should a golfer's foot be?
In his book “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf,” published in 1957, Ben Hogan recommended that golfers position their right foot at a 90-degree angle to the target line, and then position their left-foot a quarter of a turn outward at a 15-degree angle (Note: He was writing for right-handed golfers).
What does it mean when your left foot spins out?
That encourages the hips to “spin out” in the downswing, which means they have turned before the player’s weight has been allowed to move forward to their left foot and left knee. As a consequence of the hips spinning out, players move their weight backward ...
Why is the 15 degree flare of the left foot dead wrong?
I’m of the opinion that it is not only wrong. Because of its toxic nature, it is DEAD WRONG. The reason has to do with the tailbone, which determines the motion of the hips in the swing. The more the left foot opens up at address, the more the tailbone angles backward. That encourages the hips to “spin out” in the downswing, which means they have turned before the player’s weight has been allowed to move forward to their left foot and left knee.
How to activate lower body during golf swing?
Your feet might be the least of your worries now, but by focusing on a few small tweaks in your heels and toes , you can help activate your lower body throughout your swing. “Foot action determines so many things within the golf swing that it’s almost indescribable,” Jack Nicklaus says.
How does Jack Nicklaus explain the golf swing?
Jack Nicklaus explains how your feet are holding back your swing. Jack Nicklaus breaks down how to fix up your feet throughout your golf swing. One of the most common misconceptions about the golf swing is the importance of the lower body. Sure, your upper body is doing the hard work — striking the ball and pulling the club through ...
What happens when you hit the golf ball way up with a driver?
Of the many problems that can afflict novice golfers, one of the worst is skied tee shots. The ball flies high in the air, costing golfers valuable yards off the tee, leaving long approach shots into the green and ballooning scores.
How to keep golf club from coming down sharply on the ball?
To help cure this, when taking back the driver, focus on bringing the club head back low and slow. This will help reinforce the thought of a more elongated swing arc and keep the club from coming down sharply on the ball when making contact.
Why do golfers skied their tee shots?
Tee Height. One easily fixed cause of skied tee shots is the height of the tee. When the ball is teed too high, the golfer is unable to make solid contact; the club head only makes contact with bottom half of the ball, lifting it high into the air.
What happens if you play the ball too far forward?
If you play the ball too far forward, you hit the ball on the way up in the follow-through. Move the ball back slightly in the stance , taking notice of the ball’s position relative to the heel of the front foot.
Where to play golf ball when skied?
When using a driver, you should generally play the ball off the inside of the front foot ( left for right-handed golfers). If you play the ball too far forward, you hit the ball on the way up in the follow-through. Move the ball back slightly in the stance, ...
Why does my golf ball curve left?
Even if your body is in proper alignment at the point of impact, your ball may curve to the left after you hit it. Known as a hook, this is due to a closed club face. A closed club face is one in which the toe of the golf club, or the point furthest away from you, reaches the ball before the inner half of your club. This will impart a right-to-left spin to the ball, causing it to curve towards the left as it heads away from you.
What does it mean when your golf ball flies in a straight line to the left?
If your ball flies in a straight line to the left, then your club face is striking the ball squarely.
What direction should your feet point when hitting a golf ball?
When you line up to hit your golf ball, your feet should point in a perpendicular line to where you want the ball to go. If your alignment at address is to the left, a correct golf swing will send the golf ball to the left as well.
What causes a bad golf shot?
Club Face Contact. Regardless of the swing mechanics that may cause a poor golf swing, the ultimate cause of any bad golf shot lies in the way the club face hits the golf ball. Any correction you make to your golf swing should have proper club fact contact as its ultimate objective.
What is the objective of golf?
By: John Csiszar. Published: 08 July, 2011. The objective of golf is generally to hit the ball in a straight line in an effort to achieve a low score. Hitting the ball right or left of the intended target is one of the fundamental causes of bad golf scores.
How to make proper club contact?
In order to make proper club contact, your upper and lower body should move as a unit through the golf ball. If your upper body rotates out of your backswing before your lower body, your angle of attack will be aimed to the left at the point of impact. As you finish your swing, the ball will fly in the direction you are now pointing, ...
Why do golf balls shoot left?
The reason they do is because the sidehill will promote a flatter swing that will leads to a more aggressive release of the hands. This will naturally close the clubface and send the ball to the left of the target.
What is a pull shot in golf?
In golf a pull – or a pulled shot – is one that sees the ball starting left of the target initially and continuing on straight that line, without lateral spin. It is in effect a straight shot that misses left of the target. Because it ultimately misses the target it constitutes a golf shot error and should be avoided.
Why is the ball aiming left of the target?
And because the ball shoots left of the target, it means the clubface was closed at impact and was also aiming left of the target. But it also means the swing path was outside-to-in, resulting in a clubface that is square to the club path and ultimately a pulled shot. Likely Reason #1:
How to avoid over the top swing path?
In order to avoid an over the top swing path you will need to focus on the downswing. Rather than pushing the club outside of the target line as you begin the downswing you will need to focus on bringing the club down from inside of the target line as it should, rotating around your body in the process.
What does it mean when the clubface is closed at impact?
Clubface Closed at Impact, But Square to the Club Path. For a shot to produce no side spin, the clubface must hit the ball with an angle that is square to the club path. In effect, the path the club takes must match the direction of the clubface. And because the ball shoots left of the target, it means the clubface was closed at impact ...
Why is my golf club not flat?
If the lies of your clubs – the angle between your shaft and ground at address – are too high then your club will not be flat as it will penetrate the ground. Instead, the toes will stay off the ground, which may ultimately contribute to sending the ball to the left.
Should you aim right of the target when setting up for a shot?
If you find it too difficult to alter your swing and club path – or if you’d rather keep it as is – then you can opt to simply aim right of the target when setting up for a shot.
What causes a golf club to make contact when it is still swinging to left field?
Ball Position: You might have the ball too far back in the stance. This causes you to make contact when the club is still swinging to left field. Backswing: You could be taking the club back too far inside, pulling the club away from the target line.
What is the best way to hit a push golf ball?
Set-up: Make sure you aren't aiming too far to the left of the target line, or that your shoulders are aligned too far to the left. Ball Position: You might have the ball too far back in the stance.
What is a pull in golf?
A right-hander whose ball starts to the left and flies left with no additional curve left (a straight shot to the left of the intended target) is hitting a pull. The divot, if there is one, will match the ball's direction. Here is Roger Gunn's checklist for a right-handed golfer hitting a pull: Grip: Not normally a factor.
What is a left-hander hitting?
A left-hander whose shots start to the left of the target line and continue flying left, on a straight line ( not curving left), is hitting a push. Again, the divot, if there is one, will match the ball's direction.
Where should the golf club be on the shoulder?
The club should be over your shoulder at the top, nor over your head. Downswing: Your arms might be pushing away from the body at the transition into the downswing. Keep your arms in so that they pass close to your right pants pocket on the approach to impact.
Who is the golf instructor who mishits?
Below, golf instructor Roger Gunn gives us a checklist of possible causes for these types of mishits, but the faults and fixes differ depending on the golfer's handedness.
How to avoid hooking the ball off the tee?
To avoid hooking the ball off the tee, all-time golf great Jack Nicklaus recommends playing a controlled fade, a shot which moves from left to right. To hit this shot take a smooth backswing “with very little wrist action,” Nicklaus says. At impact, be sure the palm of your right hand faces the target, and keep your right hand below ...
What is a hook shot in golf?
When a right-handed golfer’s tee shot curves to far to the left, the shot is described as a “hook.”. This shot typically occurs when the club head moves across the ball from left to right, imparting side-spin on the ball.
What does Rick Smith mean by "keep turning"?
Teaching pro Rick Smith says a slow body turn is often the culprit when a player hits a hook. He advises players to “keep turning” on the follow-through. Smith says the midpoint of your body -- he refers to the “shirt buttons and belt buckle” -- should be aimed to the left of your target when you’ve completed your follow-threw.
Can a golfer throw a curve ball to the left?
This is the same method by which a baseball pitcher throws a curve ball, but in the golfer’s case the excessive spin is unintentional. There are mechanical fixes that can help prevent a right-handed golfer from hooking the ball to the left, or a lefty from driving the ball too far to the right.
How to avoid a left handed golfer hitting a golf ball?
To avoid this shot, use this exercise to straighten the front arm (left arm for right handed golfers and right arm for left handed golfers) through and after the impact area. Position a tee in the ground on the target line and approximately two feet in front of the golf ball to be hit.
What does it mean when your golf ball is turning left?
When you start to notice that your ball is turning to the left in the air far more than expected, it is wise to consider the possibility that you are missing on the toe . This is especially true when hitting a driver or three wood, but it can actually be a problem with any club in your bag.
What happens when you lose balance in golf?
When you lose your balance at any point during the swing, you are going to make it significantly harder to make solid contact anywhere near the sweet spot.
What is the middle of a golf club?
The middle is the centre of the club face and is where a golfer is aiming to strike the golf ball. This gives maximum energy transfer to the ball and creates a sweetly struck shot. The 'heel' of the golf club is the nearest part of the club face to the golfer - in-between the middle of the face and the part of the club where the shaft meets ...
What does it mean when a player hits a fade?
For a player who usually hits a fade, or even a small draw, a big draw or a hook coming from out of nowhere is a sign of trouble at impact. Your swing path is unlikely to change dramatically from shot to shot, so hitting the ball on the toe is the most probable cause of your surprise right to left pattern.
Why is it bad to release a golf club early?
For one thing, releasing the club too early causes you to lose power, as you will be wasting the fastest part of your swing prior to actually contacting the ball.
What is the basic fundamental of golf?
One of the very basic fundamentals of the game is hitting the ball squarely in the middle of the club face.