Golf Tips for Amateurs Pulling the right foot back (just a little) while addressing the ball – can result in a dramatic improvement in your golf swing.
A lot of people stumble upon this discovery on their own – and are surprised at the solid contact they suddenly start making (on just about every shot). At some point though, in spite of their success, they start doubting themselves. To their knowledge, no other player (especially among the pros) seems to address the ball this way.
Rest assured – this technique has a great legacy – and a star cast of believers. Some GREAT (and I mean Ben Hogan great) players used this technique to achieve their spectacular iron play. See the visual below showing Ben Hogan with a slightly pulled back right foot.
Here’s another Pro’s take on it
Don’t take my word for it. Here is Jason Dufner (2013 PGA Tour Champ and multiple winner on the PGA Tour), describing this very technique in this video. He clearly explains some of the consequences of pulling your right foot back
- A better shoulder turn – thereby improving your backswing.
- A shallower angle of attack – thereby improving your downswing.
What can go wrong? The Devil’s in the details
This should sound simple enough – and for the most part, it is. Just pull your right foot back – how difficult can that be? However, like everything in golf, there are a few details to watch out for:
- How much should you pull it back? 2 inches? 6 inches? The answer is – as much as you need to create turning room for your left shoulder. Some people may need 2 inches – some may need more. Hogan (above) seems to only pull it back 2 inches. Jason Dufner pulls it back a good 6 inches or so.
- Another thing to watch out for – is ‘how much weight should you have on your right foot?. If you pull your right hip too far back, you will have no leg (right leg) to stand on (no weight on your right side). This is not what is desired. You should still feel weight on your right foot – it is just that the right side is pulled further back (compared to the left side). In other words, try and plant your right heel on the ground – instead of standing on the toes of your right foot.
- Stability – As you separate your feet in this manner, you may end up not feeling as strongly balanced – or firmly gripping the earth. If so, simply turn your knees inwards (towards each other). That should provide you with the stability you need. Dufner (in the video above) refers to this as ‘criss crossing’ the legs.
Summary
A good shoulder turn is sometimes difficult for amateurs. Their own body (their right side) is what typically gets in the way – and restricts a good shoulder turn. If you were to somehow suppress (or eliminate) the right side completely, you would be left with an unobstructed shoulder turn.
This is easily accomplished by pulling your right foot back. This simple modification can produce a dramatic change in your swing – and in your ability to strike the ball powerfully. Try it on the range (or the course) and see if it helps you make better contact.
17 Comments
Nate
The right foot back has straightened my golf swing . For a very long time I have been making good contact , but unfortunately slicing many of my drives. I can’t wait to apply this to my irons.
Thanks,
Nate
Ronald D Magee
It works! With all my clubs, my confidence over the ball is solid. I am 68 years old and never had a big turn, this has fixed that. So happy.
Anuj Varma
Glad to hear that, Ronald. Happy golfing!
Wade
I’ve been trying this the last few times I’ve played and the results are absolutely dramatic! It seems to not only give me better contact, but it reduces my mis-hits simply because I see the ball on impact much better. I think it will help seniors like myself tremendously because it helps with the hip and shoulder turns. Give it a try…it works great for me!
Anuj Varma
Glad to hear.
Barbara Hurley
Tried this today with my driver and worked so well as my drices tend to taper off to the right despite solid contact. Sbould I use this with fairway woods and irons, and would it help with my recent problem with duffing pitch shots?
Anuj Varma
Yes- works with irons just as well. For pitch shots, should definitely work. Here’s another tip for your pitches (and chips). Visualize your grip – the back of your left hand is pointed parallel to the target line, correct? If you had a nail in the back of your glove – the nail should point parallel to the target line. Now, as you take your wedge back, ensure that the nail keeps pointing parallel to target. Maintain this for as far back as you can. This will give you the correct ‘inclined’ plane in the upper body.
Let me know if that works for you.
Anuj
Barbara Hurley
Thanks so much for your speedy and personalised reply! Will deffo try right foot back with irons now also, including PW. Not sure I understand the nail image on back of left golf glove but maybe the other drill will sort me….. Thank you for your help.
Tom
Will pulling your right foot back help a hook?
Anuj Varma
Great question. It could actually exacerbate your hook – especially if you are standing too far from the ball. Think about it – If your hands (wrists) naturally roll over (to promote a draw), with your right foot planted, your body may actually be even further away from the ball at impact. This will result in an exaggerated roll over (leading to a hook).
This can be easily remedied by adjusting how far you are standing from the ball. Ideally, your distance from the ball should be such that your arms (especially your right arm) is fully extended through impact. If you can adjust your ‘body clearance’ in this way, not only will it eliminate your hook, it will result in the kind of crisp contact that pros make.
Hope that helps. For me, the right foot planted (and hitting off the right foot), has lead to far straighter drives, and even the misses aren’t too far off. It works equally well for iron play, don’t be afraid to experiment – all that b.s. about weight being forward for irons is b.s. Your upper body (neck downwards) still rotates forward leading to a weight shift to the left foot. It is just your head and chin that stays back (towards the right foot).
Dariusz J.
Nice you noticed it out. Love self-thinking people in golf. God bless you.
P.S. Do not be fooled with indolent golf instruction of today that is aimed to take money from you.
J
Worked for me. Gave my shots a nice mini draw.
Ian Ward
I have had to do this for years as is improves my alignment with all clubs. Great consistency, reduces the amount of poor contact and gets better control.
Have tried the aligned feet method, I really have to concentrate, and when tired find I get a straight left perfect strike, but off line. The right foot back feels so natural. Very good post, which I am sure will help lots of frustrated golfers.
Anuj Varma
Thanks Ian. I cannot believe they do not include this in standard golf instruction; it just provides such a natural upper body coil.
Please follow my FB golf page as well for similar tips.
https://www.facebook.com/golftipsforamateurs/
Happy Golfing!
Anuj
Ez
It works gave me more confidence & much better contact
Anuj Varma
Also ‘follow’ the FB page – more tips there as well.
https://m.facebook.com/golftipsforamateurs/
Phil Russell
I read your article last year and started using your concept in the middle of last season. It certainly helped my game. I am not that great in golf but the right foot back certainly gave me confidence in my swing. Thank you.
I still go back to reread this article.