Lead Shoulder - "Stepping Into the Bucket"

Most folks know the term "stepping in the bucket" to hit a baseball.

I also think the lead shoulder can also step into the bucket by moving forward on the downswing. I never thought about this term until I saw a few videos of my own swing whereby my lead shoulder moved left to start the downswing, which results in right hand flips at the ball. It can also result in both fat and thin shots.

Anyway, check to see if your lead shoulder is stepping into the bucket on the downswing.

5 comments

5 Comments

David

Sep 25, 2022

@GolfLivesMatter thanks for the heads up! I pretty sure I have done this before. I will definitely keep an eye out for it in my swing. Have a great day and keep it crispy!

Tom Saguto

Sep 24, 2022

Excellent suggestion! My dad was a D-1 college baseball player and a very good hitter. When he coached us kids he would always tell us to keep the lead shoulder "inside the ball". This prevented us from opening up too soon and stepping in the bucket, and it enabled us to stay on the ball even if we were fooled by some off-speed junk.

Keeping that lead shoulder inside the ball can also be a good feel in golf for those who are prone to steep or OTT downswings.

GolfLivesMatter

Sep 25, 2022

Replying to

Exactly Tom. I think this is an overlooked fault in the golf swing for the masses. I also know some great instructors who watch the lead shoulder. Thus, it is taught, but the concept is not well known.

GolfLivesMatter

Sep 26, 2022

Replying to

Tom, the reverse is also true on the backswing, or the lead shoulder travels laterally, then turns to the top. This instantly transfers weight onto the trail foot. Then from there the lead shoulder needs to move back to center in an instant, but as you said, most often the recovery is an OTT move, with the lead shoulder then stepping into the bucket.

Tom Saguto

Sep 26, 2022

Replying to

Yep - exactly!! The path of the lead shoulder can tell you nearly all you need to know.