By Tom Watson
Photos By Dom Furore
October 2008
Most golfers suffer from a poor weight transfer on the downswing. The average right-hander stays on the right foot too long, causing the right shoulder to move outward. The result is poor contact and a loss of distance and accuracy.
Your first goal should be to complete the backswing. Then you should start down with a slide-turn of your hips as your weight moves to your left foot. You might feel that your right side is taking over and throwing the club at the ball. That's OK as long as your weight is shifting toward the target and your left side is leading. I hit the heck out of the ball with my right hand.
Use this image to check your weight transfer: Your right knee should point at or slightly in front of the ball at impact. That shows you've made a good shift. Here's the sequence: Left knee points behind the ball at the top; right knee points toward it at impact (above).
THOUGHTS FROM TOM
Kenny Perry credits the rhythm in his swing for his excellent driving and great play this year. He tries to keep his swing speed the same from hole to hole. I remember when Kenny took part in a clinic I did and said he developed his consistent rhythm and balance by hitting thousands of practice balls with his feet together. That's a good drill for anyone wanting to learn to swing in control.
Watson is the golf professional emeritus at The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Click here for more tips from Watson.
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