Why is my left knee so important to my golf swing?
Your left knee or forward knee is critical to a proper, efficient golf swing. If your knees don’t work correctly your foot work, balance and other parts of you swing get thrown off. There are many swing faults in golf that keep people from making repeatable, powerful swings but bad foot and leg work makes golf difficult.
What is pressure in the golf swing?
The more force — pressure — a golfer applies into the ground at the start of their golf swing, the more they can push off the ground later on. It’s a powerful move that helps golfers pull the club down faster and hit the ball longer.
Are golf shoes bad for your knees?
How your golf shoes cause knee problems Golf shoes have cleats that help keep your lead foot planted on the ground which, in turn, helps you put more power behind your swing. However, having your foot firmly planted also puts more rotational stress around your knee during the swing.
What are the most common bad knee move in golf?
Straightening the right knee on the back swing is also a common bad move. It is OK to lose a little flex in the right knee but you should feel like you don’t lose any flex. The left knee flexing too much towards the left toes is a killer move. I see this in good players even at the tour level along with beginners.
What should your left knee do in golf swing?
1:485:41WHAT DOES THE LEFT KNEE DO IN THE BACKSWING?? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you'll lose stability. You'll likely get a lot of tilt across your hips your balance won't be asMoreSo you'll lose stability. You'll likely get a lot of tilt across your hips your balance won't be as good. But really important you don't overly try to restrict.
Does the left knee start the downswing?
2:276:57Left Knee Golf Downswing Make A Great Transition - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we turn it this way externally rotate the left knee then it straightens as we come into impactMoreSo we turn it this way externally rotate the left knee then it straightens as we come into impact down towards the camera. You see the left knee moves over that lead foot.
What is the most common knee injury in golf?
A 2017 study found that medial meniscus tears were the most commonly diagnosed knee injury for golfers, followed by joint pain due to osteoarthritis. “Playing golf doesn't cause arthritis and it doesn't cause the arthritis to worsen, but it can cause your symptoms of the arthritis to worsen,” he said.
How does the right knee work in the golf swing?
1:058:18GOLF: How The Right Leg Works In The Downswing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt would extend just to define the movement. So on the backswing. The right leg would extend. ThenMoreIt would extend just to define the movement. So on the backswing. The right leg would extend. Then as we come down it flexes. And then it would extend again and then start turning the knee.
Should you bend left knee in golf swing?
By guiding the left knee on a designated path – which is easy to do – you are helping guide your hips along – which is harder to do. Many problems in golf arise from hips not performing as they should, such as swaying. Using the left knee is a great way to get your hips to perform as you want them to.
Should you bend your left knee in golf?
The correct sequence of movements maintains a knee bend in the golf swing. The lower body is responsible for maintaining stability and the knees remain level throughout the swing. The left knee never dips down during the backswing, which causes the whole body to tilt forward to the target.
How do I protect my right knee in golf?
2:072:58How to Keep the Flex in your Right Knee - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUp keep the knee pointing towards the ball. And then as my downswing. Starts my knee starts to turnMoreUp keep the knee pointing towards the ball. And then as my downswing. Starts my knee starts to turn inwards driving into impact and all the way through to the finish. Swing.
Why does my right knee hurt after golf?
The twisting motion of the knee while bearing weight on it during the swing can jeopardize the intricate soft tissues, resulting in pain. Overuse Injury. Many knee injuries are the result of overuse and poor swing mechanics. It is important to use good body mechanics and to warm up properly to avoid such injuries.
How do you strengthen your knees for golf?
1:413:25Simple Exercises to Eliminate Knee Pain in Your Golf Swing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd keep your knee as stable as you can and you're just going to rotate your foot. That's going toMoreAnd keep your knee as stable as you can and you're just going to rotate your foot. That's going to give you more ankle mobility to. Show you in this way is just keep that knee as stable.
Should right knee stay flexed during backswing?
The key to making a proper shift into your right leg as you swing back is to maintain some flex in your right knee. It will help prevent you from overshifting. Keeping the knee flexed also will put you in a tighter body coil at the top, so you can fire into the ball with more speed.
How do you use your legs for power in a golf swing?
2:467:46How to Use Your Legs in The Golf Swing | Try This Simple ExerciseYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe right hip has to get higher the left hip has to get lower as a result of doing. So the trail legMoreThe right hip has to get higher the left hip has to get lower as a result of doing. So the trail leg will straighten. The left leg for me is going to flex.
Should right leg straightening in golf swing?
0:214:34Straight Right Leg In Backswing Right Or Wrong? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you have a steeper back swing you'll usually have more of an bent right leg or flexed. But if youMoreIf you have a steeper back swing you'll usually have more of an bent right leg or flexed. But if you have a flatter back swing you usually have that back line that back leg a lot straighter.
toe line
ah. i am glad don is now making this clearer.
Thanks Surge, another great
Thanks Surge, another great lesson. Took a couple of clubs and was able to get out and walk 10 holes yesterday, only had a few patches of snow to walk around. It has been a couple of week now, weather not the best!! Hit some good balls, 10 holes, 4 not so good shots, 1 to fat, other three grip not tight enough and over the top, not under.
Start of the downswing
Surge, I know you don't prescribe to "pause" at the top of the backswing, however, after 2 years of your vertical swing and after reading Ernest Jones' SWING the CLUBHEAD method and a tip from the Silver Scot, Tommy Armour, my game has improved 10 fold.
Transition
Just got back from La. after spending a month there ( father in law passed away ) so I'm trying to do some catching up. The "pause" discussion is the first one I saw since I'm starting with the latest and going backward...kinda like my game some days...lol.
I agree with your thoughts as
I agree with your thoughts as I always felt that a pause helped my tempo and kept me from getting too quick of a lower body transition. I agree that the pause is so miniscule that it likely is not perceived as much as it can be felt.
What Steve Said
Reading your description, I'd have said something pretty similar to Steve. The likelihood is that you took Surge's statement not to pause at the top and in order to feel like you weren't, you instead rushed ahead with your upper body. I get the same effect by thinking about letting my hands drop at the top.
Starting the Golf Swing
Hi Surge and thanks so much for turning me on to the PPGS. It is so much easier to swing the club and hit the ball well with more consistancy. I do have one question.
What is the ballard swing?
Specifically this means that the inside heel measurements are at outside shoulder width with the right toe perpendicular to the target line and the left toe flared out a little towards the target. Fans of Ben Hogan will recall this address in the book “5 Lessons”. Keeping your back foot perpendicular is critical as it will add bracing to the ground as you make a coil.
Why is it important to keep your back foot perpendicular?
Keeping your back foot perpendicular is critical as it will add bracing to the ground as you make a coil. Above the waist, Jimmy takes a different approach than other instructors. Unlike many teachers, Ballard wants you to keep your butt underneath you rather than poking it out behind you.
What knee do you use in the backswing?
Your right knee in the backswing can help you do just that. If the right knee doesn't allow the lower body to stabilize, then your hips will be able to over rotate, your spine will stand tall and you will never achieve that needed separation to bomb your driver like the pros.
What does a smaller guy do in golf?
The smaller guy allowed the entire body to assist the arms during the golf swing. The smaller guy loaded the right side of the body properly and created separation from the shoulder turn and the hip turn. In the world of efficiency, we have to create separation in the rotation of the hips and the shoulders. Your right knee in the backswing can help ...
What is the right knee laser beam drill?
During the backswing, the right knee laser beam drill helps you stabilize the lower body and helps load the right side properly. If your knee moves off the bug, then you have become unstable and will look like the picture below.
How to get the separation in shoulder vs hip turn?
load the right side properly, shorten your swing, give you the separation in shoulder vs. hip turn, all while keeping your distance. That was quite a bit for one breath, but it certainly shows the importance of the right knee in the backswing. Now, imagine that your right knee becomes a laser beam that is trying to fry a bug on the ground.
Can you kill a golfer 3 fairways over?
However, if you aren't going to load your body the correct way, then you better just go ahead and swing long and out of control. Just don't kill any golfers 3 fairways over. Being the smart golfers that we are, we can learn the ways of swinging in control and maximize club head speed without popping a vein out of our head.
What is the proper knee motion in golf?
Knee motion in the golf swing. Your left knee or forward knee is critical to a proper, efficient golf swing. If your knees don’t work correctly your foot work, balance and other parts of you swing get thrown off.
Is it bad to bend your knees away from the target?
Right or back knee bending away from the target is a normal poor mechanic. Most bad players move their right knee away from the target on the back swing aligning the right knee over the right foot or ever moving the right knee outside of the right foot.
Is it bad to lift your left heel in golf?
A few of the most common knee and swing faults. Lifting the left heel in the air on the backswing. isn’t alway bad but it is for most players.
Is it bad to straighten your knee?
This makes hitting good shots at the range difficult but hitting consistently good shots on uneven lies on the golf course almost impossible. Straightening the right knee on the back swing is also a common bad move. It is OK to lose a little flex in the right knee but you should feel like you don’t lose any flex.
What causes knee pain after a swing?
This tear, no matter how minute, compromises your knee’s stability which, in turn, causes pain at any time before, during, or after a swing. Other examples would be several types of arthritis. Be it osteoarthritis, gouty, rheumatoid, or any other type, all of these conditions are chronically damaging your joints.
How many golfers have knee pain?
Well, you’re not alone. According to research from Sports Medicine, 3-18% of amateur and professional golfers suffer knee injuries which, of course, leads to pain.
What is the purpose of ligaments and menisci?
Your muscles, on the other hand, serve a dual purpose: They’re in charge of moving your knee joint but stronger muscles (that you know how to control) also help with stability.
Why do golf shoes have cleats?
Golf shoes have cleats that help keep your lead foot planted on the ground which, in turn, helps you put more power behind your swing. However, having your foot firmly planted also puts more rotational stress around your knee during the swing. This can increase your risk of injury, particularly on your meniscus.
Is the knee joint the most moveable part of the body?
The anatomy of your knee joint makes it one of the most moveable parts of your body. However, its mobility is also restricted by several soft tissues in order to make it better able to support your weight.
Does flaring out your lead foot hurt your knee?
Flaring out your lead foot essentially pre-rotates your knee joint, reducing the amount of rotation it has to move through during your swing, theoretically reducing your risk of injury. Other types of injuries – like an ACL tear, for example – could also happen in golf but don’t nearly happen as often.
Can you play golf with arthritis in your knee?
However, if arthritis is what’s causing your knee pain, you may participate but do so with caution. If the joint just doesn’ t feel right, playing golf right now might not be your best choice.
Three Causes of Knee Pain While Golfing
First of all, you have to understand that the knee is a complex structure made up of many parts.
Can You Play Golf With A Knee Injury?
As it is with any other sport, it all depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Tips for Protecting Your Knee on the Golf Course
The way I see it, this is perhaps the most important bit about preventing sports-related injuries. Ask any trainer and they’ll tell you that the most expensive equipment and the biggest muscles won’t hold a candle to proper body mechanics.
Golf Knee Pain Treatment
In sports medicine, RICE means Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation – and all these are crucial to the treatment plan of any sports-related injury.
What is pressure in golf?
Pressure, in a nutshell, is a measurement of how much force is being applied to a given area. In golf, we use pressure to measure how much force being applied by our feet into the ground. It’s become an important of the way golf coaches teach.
What is the force that a golfer applies into the ground at the start of their swing?
The more force — pressure — a golfer applies into the ground at the start of their golf swing, the more they can push off the ground later on. It’s a powerful move that helps golfers pull the club down faster and hit the ball longer.
How do coaches measure pressure?
The way coaches measure “pressure” is with a device like BodiTrak or SwingCatalyst, which shows you a heat map of where the most force is being applied by your feet. For instance, if you rock back on your heels you’d see that the “heat map” of pressure lights up red to illustrate more force being applied to your heels.
Can you use pressure data in golf?
Like anything in golf, there’s no one way to apply pressure data and we all need to find what’s best for us. The more pressure you can put into the ground, the more your body can use the ground to whip the club faster in the downswing — but how you put that into use depends on your swing.