Seniors: Lift Your Left Heel to Drive Further
As we age, our swing distance decreases, and we tend to force the swing to regain it. Philip Sparks, of Easiest Swing, points to an unexpected culprit: the left heel stuck to the ground. By letting it lift off the ground, he regains a full shoulder turn, a relaxed swing, and—as his demonstration shows—much more speed with far less effort.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
The scenario for older adults, according to Philip Sparks: muscles lose flexibility, strides become shorter, and we compensate by hitting the ball hard. The grip, arms, and shoulders tense up, which is the same as apply the parking brake on the swing. The problem is a habit developed over a lifetime of golf: keeping the left heel planted on the ground. With a stiffer body, this locked-in heel restricts the backswing, and a full swing forced under these conditions becomes narrow and hits the ball from too steep an angle.
To many, this solution is considered heresy: let your left heel rise on the upswing. The full shoulder turn is making a comeback, as seen with Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead, and, today, Bryson DeChambeau. Then we break: The clubhead moves freely through the swing until it reaches the finish position above the shoulder. In his demonstration, clubhead speed increases from 91.5 to 101 mph and carry distance from 134 to 231 yards—all with, according to him, about one-third of the effort.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- At the address, relax your grip, arms, and shoulders.
- As you rise, let your left heel lift off the ground.
- Aim for a full rotation of the shoulders, without twisting.
- Come back down, striking more gently, without trying to force it.
- Let the club swing freely until it reaches the finish position above your shoulder.
- Compare how much effort it takes to your usual swing.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Try to regain distance by hitting harder.
- Keep your left heel on the ground out of habit.
- A short backswing followed by a sharp, tense swing.
- A narrow swing that comes down too vertically on the ball.
- Stop the club after impact instead of letting it follow through.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Test swings with left heel free, full shoulder turn
- Hitting balls with the driver while thinking, “Hit it more gently”
- Complete finish past the shoulder on every swing
- Compare with a few balls with the heels stuck together
Your Questions
Isn't lifting your left heel a foul?
For Philip Sparks, it's a matter of belief. The great players of the past—from Bobby Jones to Jack Nicklaus and Sam Snead—lifted their left heel, and some modern players, such as Bryson DeChambeau, do so intentionally.
Why does keeping your heel planted cause you to lose distance?
With less flexible muscles, it prevents a full shoulder turn. The backswing becomes shorter, and you end up forcing the downswing, which tenses up your entire body and slows down the club.
What kind of profit can we expect?
In his demonstration, clubhead speed increased from 91.5 to 101 mph, and carry distance from 134 to 231 yards. These are his numbers from his two shots—not a guarantee for everyone.
Should we change the downswing as well?
Above all, he advises hitting the ball more gently and letting go: once the brake is released, the club swings freely all the way to the finish.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Philip Sparks). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.