The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
Body RotationStability & Balance During Rotation All clubs Intermediate ⏱ 3 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Jack Nicklaus's Footwork: Ankles and Heels

Feet that are too active or planted too firmly in the ground: two mistakes that disrupt balance and rhythm. Jack Nicklaus demonstrates the footwork that Jack Grout taught him, from the wedge to the driver.

▶
Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

6 minSame problemRory McIlroy's Hip Rotation: The Right Side KeyRory McIlroy · Intermediate22 minSame problemXander Schauffele and His Father's Side-Step DrillXander Schauffele · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proJack Nicklaus Putting: How to Control Your SpeedJack Nicklaus · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

For Jack Nicklaus, footwork is key balance, timing, tempo, and rhythm. When he was a child, Jack Grout taught him to start out with small clubs in rolling the ankles inward, first to the left, then to the right. As the clubs got longer, he let it lift your heels, so that the hips remain level throughout the swing.

He demonstrates this with three clubs. With the pitching wedge, the heels remain practically on the ground; the right heel lifts just a little at the finish. With the 5-iron, the swing is longer and the stance wider: the left heel lifts slightly off the ground on the backswing, and the right heel on the downswing. With the driver, the left heel lifts as high as he recommends. The feet should remain alive without being dominant: They are driven by the swing and react with their bodies.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Using a pitching wedge, take swings while rolling your left ankle inward on the upswing and your right ankle inward on the downswing.
  2. Keep your heels on the ground; let only your right heel lift slightly at the finish.
  3. Step 5: Widen your stance and let your left heel lift slightly during the backswing.
  4. As you cross your legs, lift your right heel off the ground.
  5. When using the driver, allow your left heel to lift slightly more—but no more than that.
  6. Make sure your hips stay level on every swing.

Key Takeaways

Footwork determines balance, timing, and rhythm.
In small clubs, the ankles roll inward.
The longer the club, the higher the heels rise, to keep the hips level.
With a wedge, the heels are almost on the ground; with a 5-iron, they lift slightly; with a driver, they lift as much as possible.
The feet follow the swing; they don't lead it.
Neither overly active feet nor feet that are planted too firmly.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Make your feet the driving force of your swing: you move in every direction.
  • Keep your feet firmly on the ground as a matter of principle.
  • Lift your heels just as much with the wedge as with the driver.
  • Allowing your hips to lose their alignment due to poor footwork.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Wedge swings using only ankle rotation
  2. Do the same exercise with a 5-iron, then with a driver, letting the heels react
  3. Film yourself from the front to compare your left heel, as recommended by the club
  4. Check the finish: balance and keep your hips level

Your Questions

Should the left heel lift off the ground during the backswing?

According to Jack Nicklaus, it depends on the club: hardly at all with a wedge, slightly with a 5-iron, and a little more with a driver. It’s caused by the swing; you don’t lift it on purpose.

Why let your heels lift off the ground when using long clubs?

Jack Grout wanted the hips to remain level throughout the swing. With a longer swing, lifting the heels makes this possible.

Should we start with the ankles or the heels?

Start with the short clubs, using your ankles—just as Nicklaus learned as a child. The heels come next with the longer clubs.

How can I tell if my feet are too active?

If you move all over the place and lose your balance, they control the swing. They must react with their bodies, not get ahead of them.

Learn More

All “Body Rotation” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll videos on “Stability & Balance During Rotation” →Find the lesson that's right for you Rory McIlroy's Hip Rotation: The Right Side KeyRory doesn't work on his hips: he keeps his elbow, hip, and knee straight at impact, and warms up with dynamic stretches. Tiger Woods Corrects Amateur Swings: His TipsTiger comments on a dozen swings by fans and points out a flaw and a simple cue for each one: left buttock back, left arm against a window… Xander Schauffele and His Father's Side-Step DrillTogether with his father, Stefan, Schauffele demonstrates the track-and-field drills that shaped his swing: side step, back foot, heel strike. Jack NicklausAll of his lessons

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

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros