Although going through this post will help you understand and learn good ground mechanics, it will also help you improve balance and tempo. Something all the best swings exibit.

So, just for reference. Last year I purchased a V1 Pressure Mat. To say it has transfomed the way I teach the golf swing is an understatement. Hopefully, after learning these five nuggets you’ll be on your way to improved ball striking and more power.

1. Load In To The Trail Foot

Loading in this instance referrs to the force or pushing down into the ground during the backswing.

All the Pros you see on TV do this. How much and for how long differs between players.

But as a general rule, you can expect the best players to load less using shorter clubs and load more when using longer clubs.

I.E there’s a difference between wedge swings and driver swings.

You can also expect the best players to load a little more into their trail heel during the backswing. This is because the trail hip is moving back behind them and also the hands and arms are moving inward and end up over the trail heel. Essentially moving more mass over the heel.

Rumour has it Sam Snead not only practiced bare foot, but also turned his toes up. Hence The Sam Snead Drill..

2. The Best Players Achieve The Maximum Amount of Vertical Pressure In To The Trail Foot Before They Complete The Backswing

This is a big one.

Essentially what this means is the pressure under the feet starts to settle into the lead foot before the club finishes it’s journey to the top of the swing.

3. Push Out Towards The Ball/Toes of The Lead Foot To Start The Downswing.

This action helps the lead knee flex/squat. This then helps the verticle force into the ground. Make sure the lead foot is flared out, think 10 o clock if you’re looking down at a clock face.

4. Achieve Maximum Force Under The Lead Foot When Shaft Is Vertical on Downswing

The longest hitters are able to achieve close to 2x their body weight at this point in the downswing. PGA Tour players around 1.5x their body weight.

The shortest hitters achieve around 0.5.

I.E The long drive competitors that weight 200lbs, achieve around 400lb of force under their lead foot at this point in their swing.

This is why so many long hitters you see on the PGA Tour and competing at the world long drive championships are jumping off the ground through impact.

Image from Boditrak sports

5. Extend The Lead Leg and Settle in The Lead Heel

This action extends the hips and spine and makes it possible to turn faster.

Once you push down as hard as you can by P5/shaft vertical the ground then acts like a spingboard. You will want to spring up and extend.

The following video of Sam Snead’s textbook footwork is a great image to have in your mind while you practice. Remember, you can feel your interaction with the ground.