Can you play golf with right foot back?
William Rodriguez
Published Jan 23, 2026
Ben Hogan once said the weight shift in the golf swing goes from the right heel on the backswing to the left toe on the start of the downswing, and then to the left heel at the finish (Figure d). In addition to helping your path, this drill will also help you with your backswing pivot.
What do you do with your right foot in the golf swing?
Description
- The right foot should stay on the ground, rolled slightly inward, for as long as possible.
- The heel doesn't come up until it's pulled up in the follow through.
- For the drill, keep the right food down - just roll inward - until arms are in the 9:00 position.
Can you play golf with a closed stance?
The closed stance can help golfers that struggle to release the ball actually turn it over as they come through impact. In addition, the closed stance can also lower the ball flight. If the ball flight is a bit lower, you will also sometimes get some extra spin.
Do you push off right foot in golf?
That is pushing off of the right foot, more specifically using the right big toe to push. This pushes the hips forward which changes the spine angle dramatically. Not only that, but it will disrupt the circular motion of the golf swing, thus causing a decrease in distance and accuracy.
Should the left foot come up in the golf swing?
It's OK to lift your left foot off the ground a little. And current players such as Bubba Watson do it also. Lifting your left heel up will help you rotate your hips for a bigger turn in your backswing. So if you're struggling with power and clubhead speed, then let your left heel lift up a bit.
21 related questions foundWhat do you do with your left foot in golf?
Flare The Left Foot
Many golfers are taught to keep their toes turned-in more so their toes are pointed perpendicular to the target line. But by turning his left foot out more, Molinari said it created more speed by freeing-up his hips and allowing them to move more freely through the ball.
Do you push off the right foot in downswing?
At the top of the backswing (3), most of your weight should be felt along the right instep and along the inside of the right calf and thigh. Then, to begin the downswing, simply push off your right foot and your entire body will follow in a fluid motion.
Do you push off your back foot in golf swing?
Weight shift also matters. Swing off your back foot, and you'll blade it.
Should I flare both feet golf swing?
A good immediate solution that GOLF Top 100 Teacher Nick Clearwater suggests is flaring both of your feet. “Turning your toes out about 20 degrees — maybe even more — effectively makes you more flexible,” Clearwater says.
Does a wider stance help in golf?
A stance just wider than your shoulders: Gives you a stable platform over which you can turn your upper body. Encourages your hips to stay level throughout the swing; the left hip is likely to drop when your stance is too narrow, causing mis-hit shots.
Where should my ball be in my stance?
The ball position with the driver should be farthest forward, just inside your left heel, then move progressively farther back until you get to your wedges, which should reside squarely in the middle of your stance.
Does right foot start the downswing in golf?
Downswing, Press into Right Foot to Start Downswing | Fredericks Golf.
Why does my right foot slip in golf swing?
It could be that it's happening simply because to your trying to 'hit' the ball too hard, rather than swing through to a good finish position. But doing these 'drills' will tell you whether it's just that, or there's something more fundamental going on that's not quite right.
Can you play golf with flat feet?
TLDR - if you have flat feet, try arch support inserts. It will definitely make golf more comfortable and could really improve your game.
How do I get off the right side of my golf swing?
The only way to do that is to get your weight left. Push hard off your right side. A good feel is that you're "covering the ball" with your chest at impact (1). The whole right side of your body should turn to the target.
What is the trail leg in golf?
From the top of the backswing and moving into transition to the downswing, the trail leg will begin to move into external rotation. This is where using the ground comes into play. The hip should act like a corkscrew for your foot as you rotate using the ground, and that trail ankle should begin to move into eversion.
What is the trail foot in golf?
Their footwork will often indicate how their pelvis moves. To solve this, I like to see players move their trail foot (right foot for right handed players) move toward the target in the downswing in a banking type pattern versus spinning out on the toe.
Should left leg be straight at impact?
Hit a very light shot, twisting your hips as you follow through and feeling the pressure come to the front leg. Try and straighten the left leg out at impact. As you follow through, keep the left leg straight the whole way through.
How much weight do you gain on the left foot of impact?
At impact, you ought to have about 75% of your weight onto your front foot.
How do I keep my left heel down in golf?
If the heel moves up on the backswing, one must return the heel to the ground on the downswing, creating another move. Allowing the left foot to roll over while keeping the heel on the ground creates an excellent weight transfer.
Should weight be on balls of feet in golf swing?
Your weight should be 50-50 on your left and right legs and between the balls of your feet (those cushioned pads just below your toes) and your heels.
What happens if ball is too far forward in stance?
With the driver, most golfers play the ball too far forward and stand too far away from it. This might feel powerful, but it sets some bad things in motion. The forward ball position shifts the shoulders open to the target, which leads to an out-to-in swing and usually a slice.