Many golf players forget that the whole body is engaged in the swing. Thus, you will not only be activating your back, arms, and hands but also using your knees and feet to generate more power and speed. Also, the positioning of your body is determined by the positioning of your legs. Your feet should be pushing through the ground and set hip-width apart.
Now, the question is, what happens to the knees, particularly, to the left one?
Considering the fact that most players are dominant on their right side, that means the left knee is out front.
Believe it or not, the left knee is of the utmost importance when it comes to hitting the ball properly. The common question is whether it should be flexed or stay straight.
Additionally, what happens with the weight distribution? These are just a few of the points that we will be discussing throughout the article. Thus, if you want to find out more about the left knee movement in golf swing, we suggest you read on!
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Role of the Knees in Golf
As mentioned above, by ensuring proper motion in the knees, you will be able to maximize the power invested in the shot. The first position that we will be discussing is the address. You should stand with your feet hip-width apart and parallel to each other.
As for your knees, they should both be slightly flexed. Make sure that you don’t enter a sitting chair position, though. The idea is simply to prevent your knees from locking during the backswing, so a slight bend in the knees should do the trick.
Another common question is whether you should change the position of your left or right knee during the backswing. The answer is – no! You should make sure to remain in the same position until you come to the top of the swing. If your hips are tight, then you may want to open up the right or the left knee just a bit. Still, make sure that you maintain the flexed knee position. The next topic is the downswing.
This is where the left knee comes in to play. The fact that legs are the biggest muscle of your body makes it quite clear that this is where you will be generating a portion of the power from. Thus, as you move to hit the ball, you should be keeping the right knee flexed while slowly rotating your hips towards the left side. This should result in your left knee fully straightening out.
By doing this, you will contribute to a smooth hip rotation and make sure that there is no sway in the movement. You shouldn’t forget to point the right knee towards the left calf. This minimal motion is quite important to get optimal swing results. Focusing on the proper knee positioning will be of great help. This is especially true if you are not that strong in the arms and you rely on your legs for generating more power.
An Important Tip – Move Your Left Knee Towards the Golf Ball
If you have ever watched professional golfers on the course, you surely noticed the one major detail that happens during the backswing. Their left knee seems to move towards the right knee and calf. This perception is the mistake that most beginners make.
What actually happens is that the golfers ensure their left knee is slightly tilted towards the golf ball that is set in the center. While perfecting this position may take a bit of time, it is worth it.
This movement is the most useful for putting. What it does is promote a better weight distribution towards the right leg. This is an essential part of a smooth backswing. It helps golfers avoid the common issues that are related to the reverse pilot.
Does It Affect Distance?
Another common question is whether the positioning of the knee affects the distance of your shot. Absolutely. This is especially true if you are an older player and you are lacking much-needed flexibility. You can help yourself by releasing the left knee just a bit.
During the backswing, it should point to 1 o’clock, just when you are at the top swing and before you are about to go into the downswing motion. As you move through impact, you should slowly transition your left knee from 1 o’clock to 12 o’clock.
Make sure to make no sudden movements in order to prevent knee or hip injury. By making this slight change, you will be opening the left side of your body and helping yourself with the full turn motion.
Drills for Left Knee Movement in a Golf Swing
What good is an article about body positioning if there aren’t any drills that you can put to use? The best exercise out there is to use a soccer ball or a basketball to master knee positioning for the backswing. What you should do is stand in front of a larger mirror and set yourself in the address position.
The ball should be placed between your left and right knee. From this position, start simulating the motion of a regular backswing. While a light sway at the top of the swing is allowed, you should make sure that the ball doesn’t change its position during this movement.
The second drill is for a powerful downswing. You should set your left foot in front of the doorway. Once you are in the right position, go through a smooth backswing, and make the downswing movement. The idea is that, as it rotates, your left hip doesn’t make contact with the doorway.
Final Thoughts
There is nothing to be confused about when it comes to positioning your left and right knee properly. Your left knee plays an important role in both the backswing and the downswing. Your left leg should be straightened out as you move through the downswing and the impact.
We have done our best to give you a better idea of why this is important. Now, it is your turn to go ahead, explore the aforementioned drills, and get the most out of proper left knee movement!
