I see this swing fault often, but you rarely hear about it. It’s a loading up on the outside of the trail foot (right foot for right-handers) in the backswing, which can rob you of power and distance. Biomechanically, it’s known as inversion of the ankle, and you’re probably not aware that you're doing it unless someone has pointed it out to you.
Inversion of the trail foot in the backswing doesn’t set you up well for being able to push off the trail foot as you transition into the downswing phase. The reason for this is that your weight has pretty much shifted laterally to the outside part of the foot.
The sensation you’re looking for is to feel the weight on the inside border of the trail foot at the top of your backswing. In order to achieve this, your trail foot must go through what’s known as eversion during the takeaway.
For some, this is difficult because their range of motion in the trail ankle is lacking. For others, it’s just a bad swing habit they aren’t aware they’ve developed. Either way, correcting this fault will produce more power at impact, equating to more yards down the fairway.
A simple, effective drill to produce eversion in the trail ankle is to place a wedge under your trail foot while repeatedly practicing your backswing. Holding the top of the backswing for a few seconds will offer a subtle stretch to the area.
Not much is written about this, and most golfers don’t take into account what their trail foot is doing during the golf swing. Pay attention to it the next time you’re on the practice range to see if you load up on the outside or inside border of the trail foot.
It's a relatively simple fix that can make a huge difference in your golf swing, distance and playing performance. But it’s one of those swing adjustments that you’ll need to focus on repeatedly until it becomes a natural part of your swing.
Bob Forman, MS, GFI, CFGS, CAFS, a two-time Golf Fitness Association of America (GFAA) On-Course Award Winner and 2024 GFAA Recognition Award Winner, is an Exercise Physiology Certified Golf Fitness Instructor, Speaker and Author.
