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Downswing and TransitionStability & Balance During Rotation All clubs Intermediate ⏱ 10 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Pressure on the inside of the lead foot in the downswing

In the backswing, you were taught to keep your weight on the inside of your trail foot. Simon Camirand applies the same logic on the way back: from the very start of the downswing, the pressure must stay on the inside of your lead foot. An alignment stick slid through your belt lets you check it.

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Simon Camirand
Simon Camirand · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

7 minSame problemA Stretch Feeling at the Start of the DownswingPadraig Harrington · Intermediate / Expert12 minSame problemStart the Downswing with Your Legs: Unscrew the LidDanny Maude · Intermediate5 minFrom the same proSeated Torso Rotation: Simon Camirand's StretchSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate / Seniors

What the lesson shows

First reminder: in the backswing, the weight stays slightly on the inside of the hind foot, without leaning outward. But it’s often on the return stroke that people neglect their footing. To “transfer” their weight, many push sideways and forward: the weight ends up on the outside of the forefoot well before impact. The body is then neither at the right angle nor stable enough, and the hands relax too soon.

The drill: place an alignment stick along your belt. At the top of the backswing, its end naturally points slightly toward the ground, because the hips stay tilted. At the start of the downswing, keep that end bass: The front foot remains flat, and you feel pressure on the inside of that foot. If the shank points straight up toward the sky, you’ll stand up and your hips will shift forward toward the ball—and you’ll lose your stance. Next, let the clubhead rise with the rotation; at the finish, your weight should naturally shift to the outside of your foot. Slightly opening your front foot at address helps you find this feel.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Slightly turn your front foot outward at address.
  2. Place an alignment rod on your belt.
  3. Ride while maintaining pressure on the inside of your back foot: the tip of the boot should point slightly toward the ground.
  4. At the start of the downswing, lean slightly onto your lead leg while keeping the stick low.
  5. Feel the pressure on the ball of your foot, with your foot flat on the ground.
  6. Then let the rod rise as it rotates until the finish is reached.
  7. Repeat the motion with a club, then with balls, without the shaft.

Key Takeaways

In the backswing, the pressure stays on the inside of the trail foot.
On the downhill, the same principle applies: apply pressure to the inside of the forefoot at the start.
Pushing sideways shifts your weight to the outside of your forefoot too early.
The stick on your belt should stay low at the start of the downswing.
A stem that points toward the sky too early is a sign that the plant is recovering.
At the finish, it's normal for your weight to shift to the outside of your foot.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Push your hips to the side to shift your weight forward.
  • Shift your weight to the outside of your forefoot before impact.
  • A stick that points at the sky right from the start of the downswing.
  • The hips are moving toward the ball: the posture is off.
  • Keep the rod low until the very end: the body gets stuck and doesn't finish.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Standing with a rod on your belt, practicing swings without a ball in front of a mirror or while being filmed
  2. Check: stick low at the start of the downswing, then rising
  3. The same feeling with a club, then with a few balls
  4. Front foot slightly turned out to make it easier to push off

Your Questions

Why keep the stick low at the start of the downswing?

Because it reflects the angle of your hips. If it stays low, your front foot stays flat and the pressure is on the inside of your foot. If it points toward the sky, you rise up and push toward the ball.

Should you keep pressure on the inside of your forefoot all the way to the finish?

No. Simon Camirand points out that this only applies at the very start of the downswing. After that, as you rotate, the weight moves to the outside of the foot at the finish, and that’s normal.

I don't have an alignment rod. What should I do?

The video recommends buying them because they're inexpensive, but any similar object attached to your belt can serve as a reference point.

Does the placement of the front foot at the address matter?

Yes. With your front foot completely straight, it’s harder to maintain pressure on the inside when going downhill. Opening it slightly—without moving it back—makes it feel easier.

Learn More

All “Downhill and Transition” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Stability & Balance During Rotation” →Find the lesson that's right for you Feet Turned Outward at Address: More Rotation in GolfSlightly spread your feet apart (the front foot a little more) without widening your stance: this provides more rotation, stability, and speed, and puts less pressure on your knees. Weight on the front heel: the key to a stable finishPlacing a ball under the front heel helps you learn to turn by leaning on that heel rather than pushing sideways and ending up on your toes. Same speed on the upswing and downswing: slow down your swingMove up and down at what feels like the same speed, then hold the finish position for three seconds: an imbalance at the finish indicates that your body is moving too fast. Simon CamirandAll of his lessons

Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Simon Camirand). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.

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