American LPGA player, Lizette Salas has a swing full of sound fundamentals that maximize distance and control. Plenty to learn from watching Lizette Salas play golf.
In this high definition slow motion Youtube video featuring both face-on and down the line views of Lizette Salas, my observations and pointers are written below. Corresponding times in the Youtube video are marked m:ss so 1:00 refers to 1 minute into the video. Let’s get started.
LIZETTE SALAS – FACE ON VIEW
0:00 Set Up: Lizette has a nice set up with the driver. Note how her feet are wider than her shoulders which create a stable base. The ball is forward inside her left foot and in position to be contacted just on the upswing!
0:10 One-Piece Takeaway: Can you see the triangle formed by her arms and shoulder line as the shaft is parallel to the ground at the start of the swing? Lizette is showing great width, which helps with distance, as her back has just begun to turn.
0:17 Example of Torque: She has turned her back and is looking over her left shoulder at the ball. Her right knee and foot (lower body) are absolutely braced as her back (upper body) turns into them and loads the right side. Lizette Salas also has great extension of her arms, maintaining her width as the club is set at the top with the shaft just a little less than parallel. It is not necessary to be parallel!
0:18 Check for Lag: When the left arm is parallel to the ground, it is best to see the club shaft leaning from 7:00 (Grip End) to 1:00 (Club Head end). Lizette certainly has lots of lag stored here! On an important side note: her lead hip has bumped laterally toward the target which shows great optimal sequence before unleashing all that stored up lag!
0:20 Impact!: Her head stays behind the ball as her left hip begins to open up to the left! This keeps her on plane with speed in the hit zone!
0:22 Follow Through: She has beautiful extension down the line with her club shaft and arms. She still has that width and extension that creates a bigger circle that helps with distance!
0:29 Finish: Lizette has the classic balanced finish with her back foot all the way up and the weight on the outside of her front foot. Her body is released to the target and even left of it with the club also released behind her. It’s fun releasing all that stored up torque and lag!
LIZETTE SALAS – DOWN THE LINE VIEW
0:39 Set Up: Her knees are flexed, and she is bent about 15 degrees at the waist which allows her arms to be comfortable and hanging down.
0:44 Take Away: The clubhead is just slightly outside her hands when the shaft is parallel to the ground and in line with her toes. It is a sign of exceptional width when this is the case, which makes a bigger circle in your swing for distance.
0:52 At the Top: Her left arm is extended and pulled back. See the distance between her hands and her head? She is looking over her left shoulder at the ball which is a sign of a nice back turn. Everybody standing at the target can see her “name and number” on her back. Lizette’s right knee remains flexed and braced, resisting the turning of the back. This creates torque!
0:55 Downswing: Lizette flattens her plane for a noticeable inside attack! Her downswing fits “under” her backswing. See where the clubface is when the shaft is parallel to the ground compared to where it was in the takeaway (just outside her hands) when the shaft was parallel to the ground. Amateurs need to work on their downswing plane not returning “over” their backswing plane.
0:56 Impact!: Look at that great extension with her arms and club shaft! Her left hip is just beginning to open to the left for a powerful release.
0:57 Follow Through: Still showing great extension down the target line. No folding of the arms, which can interfere with distance here! Her head is holding and ready to release the next instant!
1:03 Finish: Her body is released to the target and even left of it as she unleashed all that torque and stored up lag. Great weight transfer and balance as she “shows her right foot shoe size”. The club is released behind her with the grip end at 11:00 and the clubhead at 4:00.
Lizette Salas has lots of sound fundamentals that amateurs can work in to make improvements in their swing!
Pete
