Many golfers believe that the power of a golf swing comes from the arms and the upper body, but the reality is that the most powerful golf swings stem from the hips and legs. The foundation of this power is built at the address of the ball in how you position your front leg. According to Golf Digest writer Nick Seitz, amateurs with poor front leg positioning are less likely to hit the ball solidly.
Placement
The placement of your front leg in relation to the ball is an issue debated by golf professionals. According to former Professional Golfers Association Tour player Rick Walker in his guide "The Functional Golf Swing," the ball should be in line with the midpoint between your feet. PGA Tour great Jack Nicklaus, however, suggests playing the ball more forward in your stance. "I try to play every shot with the ball opposite a point just inside my left heel," he says in the Golf Digest article "The Principle of Ball Position." While the exact placement of the ball will vary by golfer, Nicklaus advises players to always have the front leg closer to the ball than the back leg.
Function
The main role of the front leg position in a golf swing is to transfer your weight through the ball correctly and to allow a full rotation of your hips during the swing. After you decide on the lateral placement of your front leg in relation to the ball, you must rotate it about 30 degrees toward the fairway. This allows your hips more freedom to turn through the ball, which leads to a better line and transfer of power from the large muscles in your body
Significance
Focusing on the position of your front leg in a golf swing will add consistency to your game. It is among the few aspects of your swing that does not happen in a matter of seconds, and therefore you have more control over it. According to Walker, "Anything you can do during setup that enhances swing performance and consistency should be done" because you have the time to observe yourself during this period and correct any mistakes.
Misconceptions
According to JimMillerGolf.com, among the biggest misconceptions about the golf swing is that your front leg should be placed farther ahead of the ball depending on the club used. While it appears that the front leg is placed farther ahead of the ball when using a short shaft 9-iron compared with a long shaft driver, what actually happens is that the distance between your front and back leg becomes shorter as you move up in irons. Where the front leg is positioned in relation to the ball should remain consistent no matter what club you use.
Warnings
Placing your front leg too far in front of the ball will cause you to chop downward on the ball when you swing, resulting in a loss of distance. Conversely, if the ball is too close to your front leg, you will be more likely to pull your club and break the single plane of a proper golf swing. This results in more slices and hooks.
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