Would an "orthotic" golf shoe be illegal?

[SiberianDVM]

Actually I don't even know if orthotic is a real word, and I'm too lazy to look it up.

One of my swing faults is a tendency to move my considerable weight to the outside of my right foot on the backswing. My teacher sometimes has me stand on a wooden wedge, under the outside of my right foot. I'm thinking of glueing one to the bottom of my shoe, or having a special shoe made. Out of titanium or gold, whichever would be more bling.

[dave.]

Point your right knee inwards,the foot at 90 degrees to target line,ala Hogan.No way can you put the weight onto the outside of your foot.Unless you have a massive move to the right,and go over on that set-up you would be talking a serioulsy flawed swing,and but it seems you haven't got that.

[ezra76]

Probably. I seemed to have "fixed" this problem by opening my right foot a bit. On my practice swings I concentrate on rolling onto the instep then turning onto the ball of my foot as I post up to the left side, after impact.

[Rockford35]

You can't use a tool of any sort to better your stance. You would need medical clearance to use a medically perscribed shoe on Tour.

But in your case, just go to the range.

R35

[SiberianDVM]

You would need medical clearance to use a medically perscribed shoe on Tour.

Hey, I'm a doctor. I'll just write my own medical clearance, and wear a flea collar.

[Witmaster]

Interestingly enough... I played last night with a guy wearing a prosthetic leg! Apparently he lost his left leg (I didn't ask how) from the knee down. It was fascinating to watch him golf. His prosthetic was colored and textured to match his other leg perfectly so you could barely tell it was fake.

I was truly amazed to watch this guy. Despite his "handicap" he has made a full recovery and shoots a pretty good game. )He shot a 42 on the Back 9!)

What caught my attention was the way the prosthetic hinged out to accomodate his movement throughout his swing. It looked awkward from my perspective but this guy has mastered it into his backswing and follow-through.

A great spirited guy who was a true delight to play with. One of the most enjoyable games I've had

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by dave.

Point your right knee inwards,the foot at 90 degrees to target line,ala Hogan.No way can you put the weight onto the outside of your foot.Unless you have a massive move to the right,and go over on that set-up you would be talking a serioulsy flawed swing,and but it seems you haven't got that.

When I started playing, my instructor told me something very similar, to point the left knee forward on the takeaway as opposed to how I did it at the time, pointing back at a slight angle towards my right foot. Keeps me from transfering too much weight onto my right foot, and accounted for a major increase in distance and is probably when I first obtained my draw with my ball flight.

[Silver]

Doc, I had this problem big time last year, corrected it about halfway through.

First, work on your flexibility. Stretch at home.

Second, left toe pointed about 45* out, right knee slightly kicked in at setup.

Third, don't take your backswing back as far, only go back as far as you can without rolling onto the outside. Slowly work on extending it.


Silver, golf teacher extraordinaire

[DouginGA]

Originally Posted by Rockford35

You can't use a tool of any sort to better your stance. You would need medical clearance to use a medically perscribed shoe on Tour.

But in your case, just go to the range.

R35

I actually went and read the rules of golf by the USGA (can you believe it? they actually have the rules written down).

rule 13-3 prohibits "building a stance" But I thought that meant more altering the ground rather than having funny looking shoes.


Interesting really, what is acceptable and what isnt. golf spikes are really tiny braces that brace your foot against movement with the ground, thus "building a stance" - yet acceptable. For Doc's question- would Dr. Shoals shoe inserts be unacceptable? what if he uses six or seven in one shoe and none in the other?


Spikes, gloves, sunvisors, all can provide an advantage. I propose we equalize the game and take away any advantages by all playing naked. then the LPGA will be the most watched tour and I would have a whole different group for my sunday foursome (three of us would be playing from the red tees ).

[Farquod]

Actually, what Doc is talking about is covered under 14-3a "artificial devices and unusual equipment," where it states that the player must not use any unusual equipment that might "assist him in making a stroke or in his play." Sticking a wedge in your right shoe so that your weight would not travel to the outside on your backswing would clearly violate this, no matter whether it was constructed out of gold, silver, platinum or high-impact plastic. Diamonds would probably be a nice touch, tho, Doc, if you're going for the bling bling.

Wearing orthotics because you have flat feet would not violate it, however, because you wear them routinely off the course, and are not adding them expressly to "help you in your stroke or play."

[DouginGA]

Thanks Farquod, good call.

[token_hottie]