Many of you will have been told that it is important to maintain a flexed right knee in the backswing. But why? The simple answer is that it helps create more power. If the right knee straightens during the backswing the left knee is forced forwards towards the ball. Your weight distribution, instead of moving so the majority is on your right leg, is mostly hanging over your left knee and into the ball or toes of your left foot. In addition, your left shoulder dips down towards the ball instead of turning under your chin, this is termed a reverse pivot. Often this movement results in an overswing, and the player is not behind the ball. You certainly can't play powerful golf when most of your body weight is in front of the ball at the top of the backswing.

When the downswing begins the player has to snap the left knee back out of the way. This throws the body weight back towards the heels or even onto the right leg, which results in the spine straightening and a top or a slice.

Turn your left shoulder to the right, so it arrives above your right thigh when the backswing finishes. Keep your right leg flexed (the knee can and probably will turn out to the right a little as your hips turn unless you are particularly flexible and strong in the back – but no straightening). Now you are behind the ball and poised to swish the club freely down and through impact, gathering the ball as your weight moves effortlessly onto your left leg.