- Audio version at the end of this post –
As a result of the last article that I wrote about, “Do my old clubs fit my new swing”, the question about club head speed was brought up and how to possibly achieve more club head speed. I made a comment that went against some of the grain about rotational swings possibly being faster than the vertical PPGS swing. I think this comment was misunderstood and I will address it first.
There is a study cited in the PPGS manual about rotational swings versus the vertical swing and the amount of club head speed measured. The verdict was that the PPGS swing was as fast as or possibly a bit faster than the rotational swing but it was by far less stressful. My comment regarding the rotational swingers switching over to the vertical swing possibly noticing a reduction in distance, which I believe is due to a loss of club head speed, was not in opposition to the study and information in the manual. It is my opinion that this apparent loss is not due to the type of swing rather it is due to the lack of proper execution. A properly executed swing, regardless of type, always has continued acceleration of the club head through the impact position. How is this achieved?
The continued acceleration of the club head is imperative to achieving one’s maximum distance. The lack of acceleration can have several different causes. The most predominant cause is that the individual, in an attempt to control the club head, literally slows down the arm speed which is known as de-acceleration. This slowing down effect of de-celing is a byproduct of fear as a rule. We’re “afraid” that we’re going to hit a terrible shot and therefore we slow down to try and control the outcome. Oddly enough, the end result is usually a catastrophe.
Another reason for not gaining club head speed through impact is an improper shaft. In other words, the shaft could be late in kicking or it could have been early in kicking and the end result is that you are not getting club head acceleration as you go through impact. (See your fitter.)
The single most important aspect to continuing to have club head acceleration though impact is called release. What is release? Let’s look at an issue that I have brought up repeatedly on this blog and that would be the one about wrists and their movement at the top of the back swing as we begin the transition.
Let me say first and foremost that the premise of the PPGS that “no wrist action is good wrist action” is entirely correct. Please don’t think I’m going against that. We do not consciously make any movements with our wrists. I repeat, no conscious movements with our wrists. However, at the top of the back swing as you are nearing the completion of the lift and shoulder rotation, you begin the bump. The bump starts the arms in the free fall. But, get this, the force and momentum of the club head (weight on the end of a stick) is still moving upward as your arms begin moving downward until one force, the arms swinging down, wins and the club stops going up.
This is when the forces due to the club changing direction hits the wrists and will cause them to break. Your job is to resist this breaking by working hard to maintain the flat and firm wrists position in the transition. Because the wrists are a hinge joint, and thankfully so, they give a little and create a flex. This flex is the angle from the thumb to the forearm and this is what we want to hold for as long as possible as we start the arms racing downward.
As we approach the golf ball, both forearms must begin to rotate counter clockwise to begin the squaring of the club head as it enters the striking zone. The co-ordination of this movement is known as timing. The longer and later into the swing that we are able to hold that angle and more forceful we are able to “release” that angle the more club head speed you will be able to generate.
I have been asked what drills to do or just how can one improve this particular skill. My answer to this is a training aid called THE SWING RITE. Other than the swing aides and training aids used by the PPGS, it is the only aid that I use or endorse. It will enable you to accomplish three basic things that will help you improve your swing. Those three things are: 1. Increase arm speed 2. Improve timing 3. Hold the release longer
You can go to The Golf Stop web site and get more information on The Swing Rite.
Remember, better golf is just a fit away!
J. Lynn Griffin, Master Fitter/Builder
PPGS Certified Instructor
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Is that swing-rite going to help with the “bump” as well as the timing? I think my problem is with the “bump.” If my forward swing (tempo) is fast should I try to smooth it out to help timing? I guess I am confused between timing and Tempo.
Hi Lynn,
Club head speed and distance has never been an issue for me. If anything, I've picked up extra distance because I'm striking the ball more often at the center of the clubface (sweet spot) and my tempo is easier to maintain because the PPGS swing has fewer angles.
I've been using the “Momentus” weighted iron for a few years to help with feel and tempo. I realize you don't endorse Momentus but would be curious to know how the “Swing Rite” aid would be superior. I'm open minded.
Thanks,
Ted Baader, Jr.
Valencia, CA
Are you looking at doing a PPGS school in Canada if so when and where. I live close to Vancouver BC and would love to have the opportunity. I do learn better ( as a lot of people do ) having some one watch and adjust.
Thanks
Lynn, Really enjoyed this article. Have never been able to figure a way to work on improving release and most attempts to hold the wrist flex as long as possible would throw off the timimg of the swing. Perhaps the Swing Rite will give you feedback to know you are making improvment (or not). I think most of us, from time to time, try to steer the club with the intent of placing the ball at our target and it never works so anything that helps us repeat the proper release is bound to produce more quality shots.
I have a Medicus driver that I really don't use anymore but for people too quick in the take away or are off plane it could probably help them. However it doesn't really give any feedback for the acceleration at the point of impact like the Swing Right would. For any of us that are always searching for distance timing this acceleration is crucial.
don
I have asked this question b-4 and no response. “If the upright swing is so great – then why don't pro golfers utilize it rather than the rotational swing?
Thanks Steve . . . so I gather you DO use the Swing Rite stick? If so, can you tell me a little bit about its feedback and how it has benifited your swing/tempo/acceleration/feel etc.? Appreciate it buddy . . .
Ted Baader, Jr.
Only my opinion here. It is hard for a new swing to gain traction with these players because they have been taught another way their entire lives and they are the best in the world at what they do. Could they be even better if they would switch? I don't know the answer to that. If they had been taught this system all along I think many of them could be better. The golf instructors would have to swallow their pride and go in another direction from what they have been teaching for years. The rotational swing has been around for many more years than the PPGS. There are some pro's that have some of the PPGS principles but so far only one is true PPGS. Who knows, maybe some day the PPGS will be the norm. All it would take is for someone with this system to have the talent to be maybe another Tiger. Then everybody would be emulating them. As I have posted many times before DJ is basically a study group of one and he is on tour. Do people not realize the odds of that? That in itself validates Don's principles.
What is the intended difference in a Club shaft when it says, High Kick Point, Mid Kick , and Low Kick. I asked my usual club fitter and just got vague answers ?
I'm only 5'8″ and seemingly get better results with a 7 wood low kick shaft, versus my driver, and 3 wood which are mid kicks ? Should I ge concerned ? I'm an 18 handicap, largely because of inconsistensy on the T Box.
No. Sorry if I misled you. I have watched the video demo and could see that it gives a feedback that I can't get with my Medicus. I will probably be buying one.
Jerry, timing in golf means developing maximum speed of the clubhead at the moment of impact. Tempo in golf means the speed of the swing. Tempo can
change with various clubs, i.e. driver vs putter. Palmer had a fast tempo, Nicklaus a slower tempo.
Rhythm is a recurring beat, a swinging motion creates rhythm.
Parchaser
In the recent issue of “Golf-Digest” on the full color page showing
lessons on the “T”-box it shows the player with the feet pointing
straight out and not flared one iota. This is quite contrary as to
what your instructions seems to convey . Any comments ?
GOOD STUFF………VERY HELPFUL
…………………….KEEPING IT SIMPLE…….THIS IS THE TASK,,TO MUCH
INFO…CANNOT BE TAKEN IN BY MOST GOLFERS ,,,BEGINNING TO KNOW.
PAUL CHARRON…..OTTAWA , CANADA….LEVEL 111 CGTA.
The person photographed in the recent issue of Golf Digest clearly does not use the PPGS.
No problemo! I just watched a few videos of the Swingrite Trainer on their website . . . interesting. And yes, it gives feedback wherein the Momentus does not. I may look into it as well.
Ted Baader, Jr.
A lot of players use the more upright swing. Take a look at Tom Watson. He does what is normally called a two plane swing. The shoulders rotate in one plane but the arms rotate in their own plane which is much more upright than the shoulder plane. What Don has done is to create a limited turn, 3/4 upright swing with which you can generate good clubhead speed without hurting your back. And because it has less angles, it is easier to hit the ball on the sweetspot therefore getting more control and distance. Watson is close, Love III is close, Jack used to be close to the swing being taught here.
-Eduardo
Most golfers I know refer to release as releasing hinged (or cocked) wrists, and this is supposed to provide acceleration of the clubhead at impact. Nobody seems to realize that hinging or cocking the wrist takes place when the clubhead is 90 degrees open in relation to the aiming line, and release simply HAS to take place BEFORE rotation of the forearms starts in order to square out the clubhead at impact. Therefore all the acceleration provided by hinged wrists has stopped prior to the real release provided by the rotation of the forearms. This in fact means that there is no extra clubhead speed to gain from hinging the wrists. This hinging is only useful when chopping wood (you simply don't chop wood with the flat side of the axe).
Hello Surge….
this is your drummer from WV …..I am getting the hang of it. My feel is let the hips bump and start their rotation…..as I begin the Pop Tart move…..it gives me a stress free move and good arm speed and allows me stay behind the ball better….giving me the Bow effect you talked about…..my action is quite good….and when I do it properly…..10 to 20 more yards….
thanks
Jim
I signed up for the free videos, Peter@tvcoverups.com. and haven't recieved anything or am just to dense to figure it out.
There are actually quite a few golfers who use an upright backswing. Few use all of the aspects of the PPGS, but JB Holmes uses the no wrist cock … Tiger is actually more accurate when he goes more vertical …
If there were only one way to swing a club we wouldn't see players going from one swing coach to another searching for a fix to their latest flaws.
Check your spam folder.
Also, it generally isn't a good idea to post personal information such as your email address on public forums.
Kick points are where the shaft bends and the closer to the head the shaft bends the higher it hits the ball. I wouldn't worry about any thing.
How many more need to use it? There are quite a few that are upright swingers. Until just the recent past, there were more upright swingers than flat. So, why the change? Who knows. Why were there ever leisure suits?
Just a bit of clarity. The PPGS swing is an adaptation of the vertical swing. It's not the invention of it. The verticle swing has been around for years and was the most common swing used until Ben Hogan. Keep in mind Hogan was short and played the game with full length clubs and therefore had to learn a swing to adapt to the equipment, hence, the flatter swing. Then people started trying to copy it. Every swing taught is either a version of the flatter more rotational swing or the more vetical upright swing.
Very good point. I have been working on the PPGS for about 3 months. No question that I lost distance at first, but it helped lessen my slice (probably by 80-85%). As time has passed, the swing becomes more natural feeling and the club head speed has picked up. My game is improving, no doubt, but just trying to put together several consistent shots is why I will never be able to give up my day job.
However, when the swing comes together, it is a thing of beauty. Yesterday, I hit a 3 wood about 220 after a 210 drive, leaving me a short chip to hit the GIR on a par 5. This never happened before and I attribute it to two changes in my game: the PPGS and the light, almost fingers only grip now used. Makes you want to head out and play another 18 right away.
Seems the issue has been covered. The other thing is that it requires a bit of strength to swing the Momentus and it could cause injury to some of our players.
Jerry,
Tempo is the time elasped from the start of take away until impact with the ball. Rhythm is the way we “pass” the tempo.
Timing is the releasing of the club (squaring of the club head) at the proper time.
Go to a fitter
Yes. I mistakinly thought he was talking about the PPGS entirely. That's what happens when you try to cook dinner and read too.
Great observation. However, the longer you can delay the release and move the release closer to the rotation, the more speed you are able to generate as in “popping” a whip.
There were leisure suits due to an abundance of polyester. Just look at the size of those collars.
I'm glad they went away.
yeah me to havn't got anything
When did you sign up? I didn't get the link until the next day when I signed up for the free lessons. There is a link in the FAQs above for missing videos if it's been longer than a day or two.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Too bad that person obviously can't measure up.
I wish he would go away.
I have enjoyed receiving and have viewed repeatedly, your 10 videos. My game improvement has been nothing short of amazing. I am wondering now if I should consider club-fittting. I don't necessarilly want to invest in another set of irons, though. It is possible to have my current cast irons tweaked to my swing characeristics?
What this place needs is the ability for the moderators to ban by IP and email address. Until then, the spammers and people who only come to launch personal attacks will find a way to return.
I'm glad I'm too young to have worn one. The 70s don't hold a lot of memories for me.
To increase club head speed, will it be better to have a shaft with a low kick point or what?
Club head speed is based on a lot more than kick point of the shaft. Your swing is powered by your core … let your lower body initiate the swing and your arms swing freely … speed comes from your body turning (the rock on a string concept Don refers to), not your shaft flex profile.
Lynn is the expert here, but yes your current irons can be tweaked. How much that tweak is depends on how well they currently fit you … could just be a loft or lie bend, might be a new shaft, or a recommendation for a new clubhead, grip, shaft, loft, lie … essentially a new iron. It's impossible to say what is needed without first going through the fitting process.
Like Bruce Sprinstein said: Boring Glory Days.
Then of course there's his ongoing collaboration with the Coen brothers, from Barton Fink's attentive hotel clerk Chet to Fargo's casually cruel, bumblingly inept kidnapper Carl Showalter to The Big Lebowski's dim-witted bowler, Donny Kerabatso
JLynn, You mentioned that, other than the swing and training aids used by PPGS, the swing rite is the only aid you use or endorse. Fortunately, as you know, I've already ordered a swing rite from you. What are the other aids, I tried doing a search with swing and training aids, but could only find, the use of a tee or bike flagpole for chipping. I know also that alignment sticks are mentioned from time to time. It's posible that something was mentioned in a video or the foundations manual that has slipped into the abyss which has become my memory. I would just like to take full advantage of any aids that might help my endevors at learning the PPGS. Thank you.
I would love to buy your product,but I havent golf in 15 years,because of a bad back.I had surgery which failed.I wish I could play again.I did some of the things you suggest before I quit which did improve my game.I didn't get fitted clubs,but I bought Pings,and playing 3 times a week I got in the 80's.I was fun while it lasted.
Joe.D
JLynn–thank you for opening discussion on this flex angle in conjunction with the release. It is the part of the swing that has been the object of my attention lately. My home golf course newsletter had a monthly tip on lag and how important it is for club head speed, and the picture it included pointed to the angle between the fore arms and the club shaft as the amount of lag. My interpretation of your description of the flex angle between the thumb and the fore arm is it is the same as this lag, which the news letter also says to hold as long as you can. Please correct any error of interpretation, and thanks again for opening this topic to discussion.
No question at all Dr. Gary. You do not need buy new golf clubs! Any set of clubs that you have can be “tweaked” to fit you better. Whether that is through a reshaft, a loft & Lie check or any other options.
The most important part is to go to a qualified fitter or you will be wasting time and money.
Regards,
Bronson Wright
http://www.theclubfix.com
PPGS Certified Fitter
I was doing a fitting with a PPGS client today and he has been hitting the irons great with his newly found vertical swing, BUT he was having distance problems with the driver. He said it was going much shorter than it used to.
We talked about timing for a long time and he was having problems gaining any sort of “whip” with the shaft because he was losing his wrist angle or lag with the new swing. This was because he was making the backswing transition to quickly with is upper body and his lower body was outracing the upper body to the bottom of the swing. The timing was huge key for this PPGS advocate
Once we got it all dialed in (with a driver that was .75'' shorter than his current driver ) he was hitting the ball on average 21 yards longer than his current driver.
Another great day on the driving range!
Bronson
http://www.theclubfix.com
PPGS Certified Fitter
Ted: I just bought a SwingRite trainer from Lynn today. I'm hoping to use it with some of my beginning students to help them with their timing/tempo problems. I should have it here in a couple of weeks or so, and will post a blog about how it is working after we've had a chance to use it a while, and with several different students. Stay tuned! R2
Lynn is releasing the “thumb to forearm angle” the same action the same as Hank Haney's Hammer motion near impact? Thanks for your reply
Dear Frank
Thank you for your question, without it I wouldn't have considered your revealing concept
It has made me reconsider many of my life choices such as
(1) Why do I drive a van & not a convertible?
(2) Why do I wear blue collar clothes & not designer?
(3) Why do I cart my own bag & not use a caddy?
(4) Why do I spend time with my family instead of chasing loose women?
And then after much puzzling over your deep question, the answer emerged
My choices are based around what I do, not what others do.
Thank you again for your thought provoking question
I consider it a paradigm shift in analytical thought processes
You have put my mind at ease over everything I have ever worried about
Thank you again for your input & concern for my welfare
Cheers
Who put the bomp In the bomp bah bomp bah bomp?
Who put the ram In the rama lama ding dong?
Who put the bop In the bop shoo bop shoo bop?
Who put the dip In the dip da dip da dip?
T Medely and JLynn
TM..in one of your posts a few days ago you said that you purchased the JAMA Wrist Brace. The only place I can find it is airrang golf in South Korea. Is this were you purchased it??
JLYNN… Have you any thoughts on this product or do you think the Swing Rite would be better to make sure I have NO wrist cocking??
Thanks
Ed, Yes, it is the one at airrang golf in S.Korea. The product will not restrict any natural wrist hinge as discussed above by JLynn. The product is designed to keep your left wrist flat, which eliminates any bowing or cupping. It is a training aid, and unless your buddies don't mind, it should not be used in competition play. It will allow you to obtain the feel of a proper flat wrist swing. Good luck.
Thanks for the info. I purchased one of those Swing Gloves with the removal brace in it but haven't usedit very much. I think it might be able to do the same as the JAMA brace. Not supposed to use the Swing Glove with the brace piece either but remove it and can be used as a regular glove.
Ed
Surge, how can your wrists not break if you hinge upward towards the tree from the catcher mitt position? Bill Christie
Ed, I too tried the swing glove first. The jama is a much better, tougher, longer lasting product, and also cheaper. My swing glove wore at the rate of a standard glove and was rather expensive. The jama is worn under your regular glove and does not tend to wear out like the swing glove did. If you liked the swing glove, i think you'll like the jama even more. Good luck.
Bill,
You're not actually “hinging” up the tree, you're “lifting” up the tree. Try it right now… right where you're standing. With the PPGS, this is what we call “finishing your backswing”. Just make sure that your forward arm is over your toe line and not getting into the “sacred burial ground” (where most golfers either “get stuck” in… or come “over the top” from).
Thanks for the further info. I just placed an order for the JAMA brace.
Ed
Hi! my age is 52 handicap 13. I'm still having the same problem. One weekend it's 82*82* then 85*86* Then 83* allways something keeping me from the 70s. The drives I still slice when I swing to fast, but I allways try to rip it. I have a new callaway diablo 9degree stiff, I keep it in play. My irons get me close to the green(6&8&P are my favorites) if I miss then I struggle chipping up close enough for a one put and have to settle for bogie. I try the 8&9 irons around the green, I think I do better with SW or 60. Is the answer practice practice?? I only get to play on weekends.
Herb, Manteno golf club IL
I accidentally deleted your offer for golf videos at a discount – I don't remember the deal. Has it expired?
By a vertical swing as opposed to rotational, do you mean the club face does not rotate out?
The article above is good for two reasons, 1. A lot of good technical talk (you did forget the rotation of the earth) and 2. Lynn getting back in favor of the PPGS after some incorrectly presented information. I personally think this discussion should be in the Members blog and not on this blog, since most reading this are looking for the basics of the PPGS and correcting faults. As the Surge also says, keep it simple! His whole theory of the golf swing is simple which the greatest part of PPGS is. With only one swing thought for me, Swing UP to the T finish with the hands close to my head has allowed me to increase my swing speed from a max of 85 to just over a 100 MPH at max effort. I am 58 and swinging faster than when I was 20. If I swing at 80%, I am now between 94 and 96 MPH which hits the ball dead straight with about 250 carry. I can play with this all day. Thanks Surge and keep it simple.
Yvette, call customer support about current offer. (number above)
To visualize the differance in the verticle swing and rotational, think ferris wheel which is 100% vertical and a merry go round which id 100% horizonal and rotational. Though not really 100% verticle, thats the idea. A verticle and 3/4 swing is much less stress and pain for the boby and highly effecient and effective as apposed to the rotational 90* turn rotational swing that can over time cause back and leg, hip pain, ect… This is an over simplified explaination but I hope it helps. I highly recomend the PPGS.
Down the middle,
Robert
Herb, Yes, although the short game seems the easiest and simplest to learn, anyone can chip and putt, to do it with any regular success, takes practice, practice,practice, it's the only way to develop the touch and feel needed for a good all around the green short game. There are many methods for putting and chipping, but they all require a lot of practice to become good at it. However, it's the best and easiest way to lower strokes. If you only save a putt or chip on every other hole. thats 9-strokes per round! Go to the search block, upper right corner, and enter chipping, you'll get plenty of advise. Good luck.
Great explanation Robert. The key for me is vertical on both sides!! Initially going to the PPGS I could not get 30 years of hitting at ball — swinging down — out of my swing thoughts. Thus i did not benefit as much from the PPGS, but once the light came on that into the catchers mitt and up the tree on the forward swing did i get the full benefit of the system. Vertical!!!
JLynn, I have noticed the Swing Rite comes with 2 options on the grip – (1) a set grip shape which forces one to grip the club in a distinct manner. (2) a normal grip which allows one to grip it any way one wants ( or the way the Surge encourages us to grip it ). Which grip do you reccommend and why? Thanks for your help and keep up the excellent work!
I looked at the SwingRite golf swing trainer site. It states quote, “Wrist hinge is very important in the golf swing”. My concern is that if I purchase this aide will it mess with the no cocking PPGS?
Somebody needs to invent a swing aid for the PPGS. Maybe it could have an alarm go off if you rotate too far and give you a taser shock if you go into the sacred burial ground. I guess that might be considered negative reinforcement though.
Jan, I don't want to speak for JLynn, but i'm sure he would not be selling, using, and recommending it, if it would mess up the very swing system he teaches. Just a bit of logic! Re-read his above article. Good Luck
The SwingRite does not know, nor does it care, if you cock your wrists or not.
Terry, What a great first name. When i purchase mine from JLynn a couple days ago, he recommended the Training grip. This is a standard style of training grip used on numerous kinds of swing aids throughout the industry. I have it on several other swing aids i”ve purchased over the years. It will place your hands on the club in the correct grip method taught by the PPGS swing. Right thumb on left side and left thumb on right side. As for overlap, interlock, or ten finger, any of them will work with this training grip. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Lynn do you have the link for locations of the PPGS fitters. I had it and lost it. I think my problem is my clubs are about 1/2″ too long for me and I have noticed a considerable pull to the left when I am hitting. Any advice would be golden?
David, I think this might be what you're looking for.
PPGS CERTIFIED FITTERS:
Bronson Wright: http://www.theclubfix.com (West Coast)
Russ Ryden: http://www.fit2score.com (Texas)
J. Lynn Griffin: http://www.thegolfstop.net (East Coast)
FITTER LOCATOR SITE:
http://www.agcplocator.com (this is not a personal or PPGS recommendation of anyone listed rather a tool to assist in your search for a qualified fitter)
Better Golf Is Just A Fit Away!
Thanks TMed that is exactly what I was looking for
A dog “Shock Training Collar” works well if you have somebody to operate it for you.
Hi Bronson,
Your description of your client's 'timing' problem is, to me, a little confusing.
You say, inter alia:….”this was because he was making the backswing transition too quickly with his upper body and his lower body was outracing the upper body to the bottom of the swing”.
If the man is initiating the transition to his forward swing with his shoulders, it's hard to imagine that his lower body is outracing his upper body to the bottom of the swing. In my opinion, the opposite would happen – his lower body would be trailing in the race to the bottom of the swing.
I appreciate your contribution to this forum and am not being picky….just a bit confused about this particular problem.
If you have time, perhaps you could clarify this matter. Thanks.
Cheers
I couldn't visualise the description either Michael
j lynn, what does the “swing rite” aid do?
Did you use the link to go look at it on our web site? That would help a bit also, use: http://www.swingrite.com for more info. Thanks.
Don,
I injured my back the other day on the course. I have a bulging L5 disk and on the 6th hole, I felt it go out a bit. I managed to play through 9, and had a revelation along the way. The pain is on the left side. I realized I could continue playing, but could not take a full swing. I utilized the principles of your swing and still walked off with a 41. I swung easily, using pretty much just my arms to hit the ball, and played 7,8,9 at par.
Hi Surge,
You talk about releasing and holding the ANGLE in the above on the segment about timing and release. PLEASE tell us what angle you are talking about. Thanks so much
Surge didn't do the article so I will answer it since I wrote it. The angle is the little one created by the pull of the club on the hands downward as you start the transition from back swing to down swing.
Thanks Lynn, In one of Surge's videos he demonstrates that the wrists can move laterally a lot ( which is not good ) but also can flex vertically a little. Is the latter motion the angle you are discussing in that segment? Thanks for your response.
I really don't want to answer for JLynn but your comment was at the bottom of the recent comments. Yes the flex is verticle created by the downswing as Lyyn said. It is not intentional flexing but no one is strong enough to keep their wrists completely rigid in the transition. There will always be some lag created. Timing the release of this incidental lag at the impact point creates power. If I said anything that Lynn disagrees with I'm sure he'll straighten both of us out.
You done good!
I think this is one of those places where using the proper terms from anatomy may help people understand this a little better. The proper term in this case is radial deviation.
Place your hand on the table so that the pinkie is touching the table and the thumb is pointing straight up. Now, lift your pinkie off of the table while keeping the part of the hand that is close to the wrist on the table. Your wrist is now in radial deviation. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, just click here.
We should allow radial deviation to occur naturally.
We should not intentionally cause (i.e. cock) radial deviation.
Not to be fault finding but your explanation is quite confusing. First, how do you want the pinky on the table, palm flat or fist? does not the wrist run the full width of the arm so aren't all parts of the hand close to the wrist? Also, you may want to to to http://www.pga.com and look in their glossary as to what wrist cock is. What it isn't is radial deviation. Radial deviation is flex. Just like you flex your arm.
Thanks to Steve and Lynn, Did either of you know that Hank Haney comments on the intentional release of that vertical flex as the “hammer” move near impact? HH claims that the hammer acts to keep the ball on the clubface a touch longer and thereby provides a more solid ball strike. What do you think please? Thanks again
I can see the point of solid ball striking but more importantly than that would be location of contact on face. You can have really good technique (as far as release) and hit shots on the toe and it's never going to be solid. As for the ball staying on the face longer, don't see that at all. The length of time the ball stays on the face would have more to do with ball composition and club head speed.
Let me try this again. Take your hand as if you were going to shake someone's hand, with the fingers extended, and place it on the table (palm perpendicular to the table). Now, without lifting the entire hand, lift the pinkie off of the table. Your hand is now in radial deviation. Radial deviation is not flex. Flexion is when you pull your palm towards your forarm. Just click the link below for images for flexion, extension, radial deviation and ulnar deviation.
Link to images
I guess I am confused as to what you define as wrist cock. All of the definitions I have read online explain a motion that puts the hand in radial deviation, such as the quote below.
“When you cock your wrists in the full swing, you cock them upward; when you uncock, you should uncock downward. Combined with some rotation, this action gives you power and squares the clubface through impact. Many people release the clubhead by letting the left hand flip over. Instead, think of it as hammering a nail or casting a fishing rod. release your wrists down–adding a lever to your swing–and as you do that, square the back of your left hand so it faces the target through impact.” Hank Haney, Golf Digest Feb, 2006.
Sorry, for whatever reason it won't let me edit my last post to add the link.
http://www.davidlnelson.md/anatomy12.htm
Hi Don, With your swing I am hitting the ball straighter than ever. However my shots with the driver and other woods are not going as far as I would expect. I believe I may not be rotating my wrists correctly. Should my wrists turn over so my hands are parallel ?
The hands remain parallel to each other but perpendicular to the ground throughout the swing.
Depending how long you've been working the PPGS, your lack of distance could simply be too much focus on the technical aspects resulting in a slower swing speed. It could be a shaft flex issue … or ball placement … or a host of other things. Start with the simple things … get the basics of the swing ingrained so you know how it feels when you do it right … then let your body flow and rip a few swings to see if it increases your club head speed. The “rock on a string” only works if you don't let your muscles tighten and restrict your body's movement … tension slows the swing.
I am a 56 year old that has been playing to a 7 HC. I had surgury on my right shoulder in October and my left in March. Since the surguries I have gone from a fade to a draw, something I have had difficulty doing since I was a young guy. My problem is that I am still setting up with a closed stance (for the fade) and I am having a great deal of difficulty breaking the habit. Can you suggest a set-up drill to help me square up?
Hi Don, My right foot is improving. I had an accident in early May. Now walking on tennis shoes. My swelling is down and I started testing my golf again. I am hitting straight and hitting 20% longer. Thanks, thanks, thanks. While setting I watched your DVDs over and over. They work! Ron
Hi Don, My right foot is improving. I had an accident in early May. Now walking on tennis shoes. My swelling is down and I started testing my golf again. I am hitting straight and hitting 20% longer. Thanks, thanks, thanks. While setting I watched your DVDs over and over. They work! Ron