Lead Heel Lift in the Backswing
Also known as: lift my left heel, lifting the left heel, left heel lift, lead heel lift, lead heel coming off the ground, front heel lifting in the backswing
Yes, it is OK to lift your left heel a little in the backswing if it helps you turn. Let the turn pull the heel up rather than lifting it on purpose. Then replant it early in the downswing so you can push into the ground and turn through.
Many golfers keep the lead heel down, and many let it rise. A small lift is common in golfers with stiff hips or back. It lets the hips and shoulders make a fuller turn without straining.
The heel should come up because the lead knee moves in toward the ball as you turn. It should not come up because you roll onto your toes or sway away from the target. Keep your weight on the inside of the trail foot.
The heel must come back down early. Replanting it starts the shift of pressure into your lead side. That gives the lower body something to push against as it turns through the ball.
Tips by skill level
Make practice swings with the lead heel down, then with a small lift. Keep the version where you feel balanced and can turn fully.
Use a pressure plate or watch your trail knee on video. If the lift lets your trail knee straighten or slide outward, the extra turn is costing you stability.
Example
His shoulders barely turn and his back aches after a round. His coach lets his lead heel rise a little, and he makes a fuller turn with less strain.
Why it matters
A heel lift can add turn for golfers who lack mobility. Done badly, it causes a sway or a late weight shift, so the replant matters as much as the lift.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the heel on purpose and losing balance
- Rolling onto the outside of the lead foot
- Letting the weight drift to the outside of the trail foot
- Forgetting to replant the heel before the arms come down
Frequently asked questions
Should my left heel come off the ground in the backswing?
It can. A small lift helps golfers with stiff hips or back turn more. Let the turn pull the heel up, then replant it early in the downswing.
Does lifting my heel cause a sway?
It can if your weight drifts to the outside of your trail foot. Keep the trail knee flexed and feel the pressure on the inside of the trail foot.
Related terms
- BackswingThe backswing is the movement of the club from address to the top position. It creates the width, shoulder turn, and wrist hinge needed for power on the way down.
- Hip TurnHip turn is the rotation of the pelvis around the spine during the golf swing. In the backswing it resists the shoulder coil; in the downswing it leads the kinetic chain to generate speed.
- Pressure ShiftPressure shift is the movement of the center of pressure under the feet, from trail to lead, during the swing. Elite players shift it earlier and more decisively than amateurs.
- SwayA sway is a sideways slide of the hips and upper body away from the target during the backswing. It replaces rotation with sideways movement, which makes a consistent return to the ball difficult.
- Ground ForceGround force in golf is the vertical and horizontal force a golfer pushes into the ground during the swing. More effective ground use translates directly into club speed and power.
Related guides & benchmarks
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