Weight on heels or balls of your feet?

[jadedennill]

I Have been struggling to release/clear my hips for a long time and it has started to create immense pressure on my left knee and low back, not to mention the timing issues it’s creating in my sequence. 
Today I realized I’ve let the weight in my setup sink all the way back onto my heels and I’m holding a lot of tension in my low back at address. While it helps to shallow my club on the way down, it’s leading to locked up hips and lower body. 
When I got my weight back onto the balls of my feet and stood up a little taller, my lower body instantly started clearing and much of the torque/bow on my left knee was alleviated. 
While it helps a lot with my knee pain and lower body movement, it gets me a little steeper. I’m 6’5” so I fight a steep plane as it is. So, I guess my question is; what do some of you feel or teach your students? Balls of your feet, or heel side?

 

[wagolfer7]

You want a balance between heels and balls of your feet at setup.  From there though - it changes to more heel / ball depending on which foot and where you are on the swing.  This might help clarify some of your questions:

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/372764/how-pga-tour-players-use-the-ground-trends-from-boditrak/

 

 

[chipa]

On 3/22/2021 at 5:24 PM, jadedennill said:

I Have been struggling to release/clear my hips for a long time and it has started to create immense pressure on my left knee and low back, not to mention the timing issues it’s creating in my sequence. 
Today I realized I’ve let the weight in my setup sink all the way back onto my heels and I’m holding a lot of tension in my low back at address. While it helps to shallow my club on the way down, it’s leading to locked up hips and lower body. 
When I got my weight back onto the balls of my feet and stood up a little taller, my lower body instantly started clearing and much of the torque/bow on my left knee was alleviated. 
While it helps a lot with my knee pain and lower body movement, it gets me a little steeper. I’m 6’5” so I fight a steep plane as it is. So, I guess my question is; what do some of you feel or teach your students? Balls of your feet, or heel side?

 

 

I have back problems as well and have noticed the farther I get my weight back on my heels the more my back hurts.

 

I have been looking at Rocco Mediate's videos and he suffered severe back problems in his 30's but recovered with some major swing changes and almost beat TW more than 10 years later. He is not a long hitter by any means but when he played with TW he seems to be no more than 25 yards behind him on his driver, with an easier swing too.

 

Rocco recommends putting most of the weight on the balls of his feet. I have been trying this and when I get it right my lower back does not hurt, plus I have plenty of clubhead speed. I have gotten to the point of exxagerating the weight on the balls to the point that my heels barely touch at address, and this has been helping me with the technique. As far as being too upright I wouldn't worry about that you can always extend your clubs and bend then as well. Here is a video of Rocco.

 

 

[phizzy30]

I remember DJ saying that more of his weight is on the balls of his feet.  Other tours have mentioned this as well.  I have a mild sprain in my acl and mcl in my left atm and 3 herniated discs in my back.  My weight is more towards the ball of my feet and it helps me clear/rotate my hips faster.  Knee and back problems, I'm not so sure. 

[golfarb1]

The key here is to setup in balance .if someone can easily push you over , you are not in balance. Setting up with too much weight on your heels often results in weight moving towards your toes in the downswing 

To clear your hips clear better , you might want to experiment with flaring both feet out , with the right foot flared out slightly and the left foot flared out a little more than the right . 

[Fairway14]

On 3/22/2021 at 2:24 PM, jadedennill said:

Today I realized I’ve let the weight in my setup sink all the way back onto my heels and I’m holding a lot of tension in my low back at address. 

 

 Have a look at the .45 second mark:

 

 

[CoachWhitty]

I realize this is an older post, but I would like to see if anyone also has had similar experiences based on my experience.  I keep my weight more towards the heels as I have noticed a tendency to lunge at the ball when my weight moves towards my toes.

 

Edited August 4, 2024 by CoachWhitty

[iacas]

We don't do many athletic things from our heels. In general, I prefer the front of the arch of the foot (not even quite into the ball of the foot).

[A.Princey]

Balanced to slightly heel side, too much weight forward has me leaning out at the ball. This is not a position to rotate around, promotes EE and standing up at impact. 

[TheDeanAbides]

There's no need to guess because we all instinctively know how to balance. If we setup out of balance the body will try to find equalibrium during the swing, which robs us of power and accuracy. I've found this method completely foolproof for every lie.