January 18, 2024
I would like to share with you some myths about power and some more optimal ways to obtain power in your golf
swing. Here are some common mis-conceptions I see frequently on the lesson tee.
MYTH: Moving the club straight back in the takeaway, this is commonly referred to as creating width in your
backswing, and allowing your weight to move to the right (right handed golfer).
FACT: We play golf on a tilted angle, not a vertical one. This is because we are bent over at address. This creates
an arc on the ground, not a straight line. When the club moves straight back in your golf swing and you push the
club away “wide” or create “width”, the arms pull away from the body and the hands tend to lift the club, pulling the
body away from the target. This is typically the beginning of the over the top move for the golfer.
To begin swinging on an arc, the golfer would first adjust the weight at address: Your weight should be
60% on your left leg (shift the weight forward with your lower body). Your shoulders should be level,
your spine should be straight up and down. The shoulders should be stacked over hips, this will
encourage the shoulders to turn in a circle. During the start of your backswing your left shoulder starts
moving downward as you as your spine tilts to the left (toward the target) and extending. The arms will
swing on an inward path with the left arm moving across the chest (staying straight, not flexing or
bending) and the right elbow stays close to the the right side as it flexes to 90 degrees.
MYTH: Keeping the right leg flexed in the backswing
FACT: When the golfer maintains the flex in the right leg, this inhibits how much the hips can turn in
the backswing and the golfer typically bumps the hips as a result. A more effective approach, would be
the golfer allowing the weight to continue to move forward, toward the left leg on the backswing, this
would require the right leg to straighten or change change flex. This will allow the hips to turn more,
the hands and arms will travel more inward. This sets up the golfer to continue to move the club in an
arc on the downswing, so your weight can continue to move forward.
