Driving · Drill
Feel Your Weight Move Into Your Lead Foot
Part of our driving programs for slice, push or pull, not enough distance. Build a program with it
Good weight shift helps you hit the ball before the ground. It also gives you something to push against so your hips can clear. To feel it, tee up a ball and set up balanced. Swing at reduced speed. As your weight moves forward, let your trail heel pop up. Pay attention to the pressure building under your lead foot. If that's hard, go even slower. Finish with all your weight on your lead side.
The drill
- Set up balanced with the ball teed.
- Swing at reduced speed.
- Let your trail heel lift.
- Notice pressure under your lead foot.
- Finish fully on your lead side.
Why it works
When your weight moves into your lead foot before impact, the low point of your swing shifts forward. That lets you hit the ball first and the ground second. The lead foot also gives your hips something to push against, so they can turn open instead of stalling. This helps the club approach from the inside rather than across the line, which is a common cause of a slice.
Common mistakes
- You hang back on your trail foot and only lift the heel at the finish.Let the trail heel come up as the club moves down, so the pressure builds under your lead foot before impact.
- You slide your hips toward the target without turning them.Shift first, then turn your belt buckle toward the target while the lead foot stays planted.
- You swing too fast and lose the feel of the pressure.Slow the swing until you can name when the pressure arrives under your lead foot.
How you'll know it's working
- You feel pressure build under your lead foot before the ball leaves the tee.
- Your trail heel is off the ground and your belt buckle faces the target at the finish.
- The ball starts straighter and the curve to the right gets smaller, with a clean strike off the tee.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Swing even slower, or make the move without a ball first, until you can feel the pressure on your lead foot.
Harder: Build up to a fuller swing speed and keep the same balanced finish on your lead side without stepping or wobbling.
Common questions
Why do I slice when my weight stays on my back foot?
Staying back keeps your hips from clearing and often sends the club across the ball from outside to in. That leaves the face open to the path, which produces a slice.
Should my back heel come off the ground in the driver swing?
Yes, it is normal for the trail heel to lift as your weight moves forward. It shows that your weight has moved onto your lead side, so do not force it up early.
