To see this working, head to your live site.

Left knee in backswing

Tom: I have issues with the left knee collapsing on the backswing. As you swing back does the left knee move forward toward the target line or more outward toward your foot which is angled outward 30 degrees or does it make a difference. Also on average how far left does the lateral hip movement go on the backswing. Thanks for your help

4 answers2 replies

6 Comments

rickwepsic

Mar 09, 2021

Thanks. Will try to get a video to you soon to see if I am on the right track

Tom Saguto

Mar 10, 2021

Replying to

Sounds good, @rickwepsic

Tom Saguto

Mar 09, 2021

@rickwepsic - I think that when you get this lateral hip move down your pulls will begin to resolve themselves. It's just that it oftentimes takes a bit more work with the fairway woods & driver due to the extra distance the hips have to travel forward because of the wider stance.

If you are able to achieve sufficient forward tailbone/hip movement in the backswing, then the lateral movement necessary in the downswing really becomes more of a "bump" to trigger it and not so much of a slide. You do have options here in terms of when (backswing or downswing) and how you want to get those hips moving targetward. As they used to say in that old advertisement, "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later." 😎 Either way we've got to "pay it forward" with the hips, otherwise the payback will be pulls, slices, etc.

If you want to do a V1 on this, how about sending me three videos - face -on, DTL, and rear view. Let's figure out the best way for you to lock this down!

Tom

Tom Saguto

Mar 08, 2021

@rickwepsic - You don't really need to have the feet flared out more than 10-20 degrees. The knees should be similarly flared outward, and the lead knee always works down in the direction established at address. This keeps the weight forward and the swing center intact. Any inward movement of the lead knee will shift the center and low point backwards. This can lead to inconsistency and may also cause some discomfort to the knee.

As for the lateral hip movement in the backswing, I suggest watching THIS video/drill from the Indoor Training Program as well as THIS Ben Hogan episode from the YT channel. These should help you in understanding how much forward tailbone/hip movement there is in the backswing.

Thanks,

Tom

rickwepsic

Mar 08, 2021

Replying to

Tom: Thanks for the response. I have reviewed those videos several times and I think it is making more sense. My other question is once you complete the backswing with the forward hip movement as you then begin the downswing is there additional lateral hip movement or is the thought to rotate the hips open turning on the left leg. Also if I send a V1 video would a rear view more helpful then one of the standard views ie face on and down the line. Thanks for all your patience answering my questions. Still struggling with consistent contact especially with hybrids and driver. Have a lot of pull hooks the driver. Tough to change as you get older.

Rick

Buford T Ogletree

Mar 08, 2021

Tom will be able to break it down better. I’ve also been struggling with lead knee not pointing down properly. My issue ended up being a combination of a couple of things. The biggest was not adding weight on the lead leg throughout the backswing and not staying stacked.