Golf Follow Through Along the Heel Line
After impact, the club should neither head straight toward the target nor veer sharply to the left. Eric Cogorno provides a specific reference point—the club on the heel line—and an exercise involving an obstacle to correct these two opposing flaws.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Eric Cogorno starts with a simple idea: the club is working on a kind of circle around the body. It goes up and moves inward on the backswing, goes down and moves outward on the downswing, then Go back up and come back in during the through-swing. It does not continue toward the target indefinitely, nor does it veer sharply to the left. Reference point: the line from the shaft at address, the plane. The club must remain parallel to this line during the backswing, downswing, and through-swings. When the club becomes parallel to the ground after impact, it must be along the heel line.
If you’re swinging too far to the left (outside path), place a pool noodle on a stick to the left of the playing line, and learn to swing the club to the right of it. If you’re hitting the ball too far to the right (pushes, hooks, fat shots, thin shots), place the obstacle to the right and feel the clubhead move to the left, around your body. On the body side, there’s only one point of control: arms parallel to the ground during the cross-step, chest and shoulders facing the target, almost at the hips. Without enough rotation, the left arm and wrist snap: that's the “flip.”.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Place a stick where the ball would be, in line with the club shaft at address, to visualize the plane.
- Take slow swings, making sure the club returns parallel to this line as it crosses over.
- If you drift too far to the left, place a potato chip on a chopstick to the left of the playing line, angled like your club, far enough ahead so you don't touch it with your hands.
- If you're swinging too far to the right, place it on the right, about 30 cm from the ball, angled according to the length of the club.
- Do one or two practice runs without a load to get a feel for the new, exaggerated output.
- Play with a short iron, using a half-swing at half speed, then gradually increase the intensity.
- Film yourself to check that the club is aligned with your heels and that your body is facing the target.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Aim to keep the club moving toward the target for as long as possible.
- Swing the club sharply to the left after impact.
- Adjust your posture using your arms and hands instead of turning your body.
- Try to keep your arms perfectly straight while swimming across.
- Place the obstacle on the wrong side: it goes on the side where you veer too far out.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- French fries on a baguette near your usual exit
- One or two practice swings before each pitch
- Short iron, half-swing, half-speed, then progression
- Profile video: the club is aligned with the heels when it is parallel to the ground
Your Questions
Where should the club be immediately after impact?
According to Eric Cogorno, when he reaches a position parallel to the ground during the traverse, he should be roughly in line with your heels, moving upward toward the inside.
On which side should the obstacle be placed?
On the side where you go too far. Too far to the left (outside track), to the left of the line; too far to the right (pushes, hooks), to the right.
Why does the sensation seem exaggerated?
He warns that if you swing too far to the left, it will feel as though you’re sending the club way to the right. At normal speed, however, the club will end up on the heel line.
Should you keep your left arm straight while crossing?
No. He considers a slight bend and rotation of the left arm to be acceptable. The key is to keep your torso and shoulders facing the target when your arms are parallel to the ground.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Eric Cogorno). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.