Special for Seniors All clubs Intermediate / Seniors ⏱ 14 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Senior Swing: Heels That Lift Off—Turn Without Straining

Name: Senior Swing: Heels That Lift Off—Turn Without Straining
Uploaded: 2021-11-13T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 13 min 58 s
Channel: Danny Maude
Description: Chris, who is over 90, can no longer swing “flat.” Danny Maude doesn’t ask him to be any more flexible: he has him lift his heels as if walking, swing his arms as if skiing, and swing to the right. The result: a driver swing that hits the ball on the upswing, without straining his back.

Chris, who is over 90, can no longer swing “flat.” Danny Maude doesn’t ask him to be any more flexible: he has him lift his heels as if walking, swing his arms as if skiing, and swing to the right. The result: a driver swing that hits the ball on the upswing, without straining his back.

▶

Danny Maude · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

8 minSame problemSeniors: Lift Your Left Heel to Drive FurtherPhilip Sparks · Intermediate / Seniors 10 minSame problemSenior swing width: wide and similar to a driverLewis Wallace · Middle School / High School 9 minFrom the same proPlaying from Slopes Made Simple: Danny MaudeDanny Maude · Beginner / Intermediate

What the lesson shows

When hitting a driver, Danny Maude wants two things at impact: strike in the backswing (low point before the ball) and a swing direction to the right from the target for a right-hander. The club naturally closes at impact. If you swing straight toward the target, the club path veers to the left (-6.1° in his demonstration), the club comes down on the ball and may even hit it on top. This was the case with Chris: due to a lack of rotation, he was lifting the club and bringing it straight back down.

Instead of spinning with his feet flat on the ground, Danny frees the heels: Walk in place, lifting your heels, and your hips will open on their own. Then swing your arms out to the sides, like when skiing, to increase rotation and bring your hands further behind you. Measured result: +11.2° to the right, low point 5.8 inches in front of the ball. One last secret: to give up on the club and walk away from it instead of lunging your body and club toward the ball. With irons, use the same pivot, but with a slightly higher swing plane, an almost neutral direction, and a low follow-through past the ball.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Without a club, walk in place, lifting your heels off the ground: feel your hips open up.
Still without a club, swing your arms out to the sides as if you were skiing, keeping your heels moving.
Using a club, take slow swings, letting both heels do the work, without worrying about the finish.
Draw a line on the ground (a ball basket with an arrow or a painted line) pointing to the right of the target.
Swing along this line without trying to hit the target directly.
On the downswing, let the club drop and move away from it instead of swinging it toward the ball.
When using irons, maintain the same pivot but with a slightly higher swing plane, so you hit the ball on the downswing.

Key Takeaways

With the driver, you swing upward with a swing path toward the right.

Swinging straight toward the target brings the club down onto the ball.

Lifting your heels off the ground opens up your hips without straining.

Swinging your arms as if you were skiing adds spin.

You let go of the club and step away from it; the face closes on its own.

With irons: same pivot, higher plane, low point after the ball.

Mistakes to Avoid

Keep your feet flat and force the rotation.
Swing the club up with your arms and bring it straight down onto the ball.
Aim to hit the ball straight toward the target from the top of the swing.
Lean your body and the club toward the ball.
At the irons, swing only with your arms.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Marching in place, heels lifting off the ground
Ski-style arm swings, without a club
Slow swings along a line oriented to the right
Driver, then 9-iron: same pivot, different swing path

Your Questions

Why let your heels lift off the ground?

Just like when walking, this opens up the hips naturally. Danny Maude demonstrates that with flat feet, it’s almost impossible to turn uphill or downhill if you lack flexibility.

Where should you aim with your driver?

To the right of the target for a right-handed golfer. The club closes at impact, so the ball doesn't go to the right, and the club strikes the ball on the upswing.

What does “leave the club” mean?

Instead of lunging toward the ball with the club, let the club drop and your body move away from it. The swing path remains to the right, and the clubface closes on its own.

Does the gait change when the horse has irons on?

The pivot remains the same, but the plane is slightly higher, the direction is almost neutral, and the lowest point is past the ball, so you hit it as you come down.

Learn More

All “Senior Special” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Seniors: Lift Your Left Heel to Drive FurtherFor senior golfers, keeping the left heel planted on the ground shortens the takeaway and causes you to tense up; letting it lift allows for a full shoulder turn and a relaxed swing. Senior swing width: wide and similar to a driverTake a wide backswing and keep the club close to the body on the downswing to create lag; depending on the senior category, use a medium or wide-wide swing with a short club. Danny MaudeAll of his lessons

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