Hitting it longer

With all the technology , gadgets etc that helps one to hit longer, I will like to share one tip which I learnt during my most recent golf lesson.

The lesson was conducted by non other than Ray Floyd....the 'stare' at ard 11pm our time ......done thru golf channel

Here is the tip which I intend to use for my driver: lift my left heel during takeaway.

If nt mistaken zx does that. Anybody else? Comments?

Bubba Watson does that... Zx idea is not to raise te left heel but to make the knees touch each other.

not too early during takeaway, but more after club passed the 9'o clock position

Raymond also said: lift the heel is not the key, it was a move so that he can have a bigger turn coming back. So the key for him is to have a bigger turn.

He lifted the heel especially after he was north of 40. Body not as flexible anymore

but Jack Nicklaus also lifted heel from young, from the old pics

I want to learn the "STARE" instead, could be useful at match play

lifting the heel will increase the chance of slicing

Duval_S wrote:

With all the technology , gadgets etc that helps one to hit longer, I will like to share one tip which I learnt during my most recent golf lesson.

The lesson was conducted by non other than Ray Floyd....the 'stare' at ard 11pm our time ......done thru golf channel

Here is the tip which I intend to use for my driver: lift my left heel during takeaway.

If nt mistaken zx does that. Anybody else? Comments?

I do that. Contrary to what everyone else tells me, I find that lifting my left heel gives me straighter and better controlled drives. I think the secret is in the final extension of the left leg just before impact. I'm standing on my pivot axis which is my left leg and it does not matter how I sway or move before that. And with the extra momentum, I can turn my hips faster. I do the left heel thingy with all my clubs except the wedges.

Here's a link to an article that I've found that explains it better than I can:
golftoday.co.uk/proshop/tuition/lesson7.htm

It's not how you drive but how you arrive...

Hence, to me, it's more important to find the fairway then just to "bomb" away

I'm not really convinced by the 'lifting the heel' tip. at least i don't think it's something that most people should try.

the reason is that lifting the heel will very often also result in the entire body moving upwards, rather than around the spine. this may result in inconsistent shots. in fact, if you observe beginner golfers, many of them instinctively lift their left heels in an attempt to generate more power. most of them also do not hit the ball very well.

perhaps the key is to make sure that there is minimal vertical motion, even as you lift your heel.

but at the end of the day, if it works for you, it works for you. just that it may not be something for most people....

Yeah, agree that it may not work for others. I too thought that lifting the heel will cause an unwanted 'lift' initially, but this will not happen as long as the downswing is initiated by planting the left heel. I've checked against my videos and my head remains in position and my shoulders turn very smoothly. Takes some getting used to. I've tried closing my eyes completely on the downswing and the strike is still good.