The Toe Tap Exercise for Better Balance is THE key to speed and distance
At the foundation of every good golf swing is good balance. Maintain your balance and you can deliver the clubhead to the ball with both speed and accuracy. Lose your balance and your swing loses its tempo, or rhythm, and falls apart.
To find the correct balance, it’s essential to know where your weight should be during the swing. Following are three balance checkpoints during the swing to help you feel the correct balance and more solid shots.
ADDRESS
At address, your weight should be balanced equally over the insteps of both feet — not toward the heels or the toes. This puts you in an athletic, ready position, like a tennis player awaiting a serve. From this dynamic position, your body is ready to quickly move in any direction.
If your weight falls on your toes, the clubhead will tend to start outside the target line. If your weight rests on your heels, the path will tend to be too inside. Neither path is conducive to generating much clubhead speed or consistent contact.
TOP OF SWING
As your upper body coils, about 90 percent of your weight shifts over the right side. It’s imperative to maintain a good right knee flex. Many golfers lose their balance because of tension in their legs. They tighten their knees, which forces the right knee to straighten at the top of the backswing, leading to a reverse-pivot.
At the top of the backswing, your balance point is over the middle of your right foot. If it is, you should be able to lift your left leg completely off the ground and hold the position to a count of three, without wavering.
FINISH
On the follow-through, the swing’s momentum should carry you to a full, balanced position, with almost all of your weight over your left foot. As your upper body unwinds, your shoulders should finish over your left leg, almost at a right angle to the leg. If your shoulders are leaning backwards at the finish, it’s very difficult to remain balanced.
Your finish helps dictate your swing. Finish in balance and it’s a good bet your entire swing was in balance. If you’re stumbling at the finish, chances are your rhythm and timing are off, and the shot less than satisfying.
