Trying to unlock the turn

Original topic by Reposted — 2022-12-15T22:55:13Z
jtgolfer — May 23, 2016

I saw Peter Kostis’ analysis of Spieth’s troubles and thought, “I do something like that, too.”

Ross, I think I’m in year four of my attempted conversion. This spring, I watched good players swing, and I know I’m not generating enough power by turning my hips. I probably don’t lead with my feet, ankles, and knees enough at the start of the downswing.

On the range, I’m thinking of questions, most of which I likely know the answers to, but maybe something you say will trigger a new muscle-memory path.

Q1 — Does the left knee/leg stay in one position throughout the swing?

Q2 — At the very start of the downswing, should I be thinking about moving my left hip backward?

Q3 — Are the legs and hips the forces that are going to pull my body around to point left of the target at the finish?

Q4 — If I don’t finish up on my right toe but instead have a little more weight on my right foot at the finish, what am I doing wrong?

Q5 — Is it possible, at age 62½, that I’m not athletic, strong, or quick enough to get myself through this swing correctly?

Thanks,
J.T.

Original forum topic

Discussion (2 replies)

Reply 1

Ross — 2022-12-15T22:56:29Z
Ross — May 24, 2016

Hi J.T.,

Q1 — No, not necessarily. It turns for some golfers, and some hold it in position. It can be used to help keep your weight forward if you tend to slide or let your back leg move laterally.

Q2 — Ideally, the start of the downswing is an “entire” unwinding move, like throwing a ball. You don’t have to think about what starts it, and the body unwinds from the ground up.

If you struggle with starting the downswing, “The Finish Drill” will help teach the feeling of how the hips work at the start. Now, for a right-hander, the front (left) hip should feel like someone is pulling your left hip belt loop and spinning you around. But I’m not saying the left hip does anything alone. The hips and body all unwind together like a rubber band unwinding, if the backswing was wound up correctly.

Q3 — Yes, they play a very big part. Again, do “The Finish Drill” and learn which of your muscles fire to accomplish that drill.

Q4 — This is not a quick answer, and there can be many different reasons. BUT, in general, a typical correct finish—in any golf swing, using any method—will have almost ALL your weight on the outside of your front foot, with the sole of the front foot slightly off the ground. Very little weight is on the toe of the back foot at this point; it is just there for balance.

I would have to see your swing to identify your specific reason for not completing your downswing. Some golfers have to modify their setup by flaring out the front foot to allow them to rotate to the finish on the front foot. The “Roll Your Feet” video can show you a little more about how the front foot should look at the finish.

Q5 — I don’t think age has anything to do with it. Sometimes physical limitations play a part, but there are some adjustments that can be made to help allow the turn to complete.

Reply 2

Reposted — 2022-12-15T22:57:01Z
DaveF — May 28, 2016

I was thinking the same thing: that maybe I’m just so “athletically challenged” that I’d never get it. I used to either be all arms or literally fall out of my stance when I tried to turn my hips. The Impact Drill has been huge in that regard.

Yesterday, I thought my turn issues had returned. I looked at the video, and it was my shoulder turn, as Ross indicates in Q2—I wasn’t winding my shoulders correctly.

The less I move, the better I get!