Add some float?

[bew69]

I would probably characterize my swing procedure as hitting. I tend to swing to the end, however, which leads to double cocking and an early release because the clubhead bounces back. Once the centrifugal force takes over I'm dead in the water -- no lag.

I have tried hard to stop at the top (rather than the end) and to keep the left wrist flat, but when I do that my release feels wooden and inadequate. After watching "confessions of a former flipper" and hearing Brian's comment about float loading, I'm wondering if I shouldn't try to add a little bit of float loading to the downswing on all full shots. My theory is that if I add some float to the downstroke then the shaft is moving toward my right shoulder rather than away from it and therefore should enhance my chances maintaining clubhead lag. I'm concerned though about inconsistency, aside from the fact that from my experience it takes some courage to float load.

Any advice guys? Anything wrong with a hitter adding some float loading to the downswing?

Bruce

 

[BerntR]

quote:Originally posted by bew69

I would probably characterize my swing procedure as hitting. I tend to swing to the end, however, which leads to double cocking and an early release because the clubhead bounces back. Once the centrifugal force takes over I'm dead in the water -- no lag.

From what you write you have probably moved the club inside (to the underside of) your swing plane durin the back swing. It's a very normal error.

Then - as soon as you start pulling that left arm - the club will be thrown outside your swing plane and the lag will be lost.

You need to swing back without double cocking the club inside your swingplane.

Instead, you must bring your left arm and club back together - in perfect sync with each other and in sync with the pivot. Cocking is allowed - but not a cocking that brings the club inside the swing plane. A single action grip (and a single action - cocking/uncocking without bending/unbending) is preferred. The left hand shall be flat from address to release - and the right hand shall be bent from address till release.

Hint: Establish a flat left wrist and an appropriate right wrist bend at impact fix. Keep the left wrist flat and AVOID any increase of the left wrist bend during the back swing.

It is very difficult to do this without a good sync between body pivot, arms and club. AND it will put you in a position from where you can maintain clubhead lag until the release.

 

[bew69]

BerntR:

Thanks for the insight, however, I'm not sure it really answers my question. I lose the lag but still manage to swing inside-out. What I really need to know is whether float loading is advisable to create and maintain lag. Perhaps by your answer you are suggesting that you don't need to float load if you maintain a flat left wrist?

Bruce

 

[BigBadDonkey]

quote:Originally posted by bew69


I have tried hard to stop at the top (rather than the end) and to keep the left wrist flat, but when I do that my release feels wooden and inadequate.
Bruce

Never feel 'stop' .. keep everything moving .. you want to feel that lower body moving back to the left, as you continue the backswing, *stressing* the shaft. The move back down from the feet up stops the backswing, stressing the shaft. Then keep that stresslag.
I take it you have read Brian's 'Perfect Pivot 2' and 'May the Forces be with you' in the instruction article forum.
Obviously doing stuff with your wrists hands at the top end of your backswing is gonna give you trouble.

 

[bew69]

Big Bad,

By "stop" I didn't mean literally stop, as in movement. What I meant was that I'd prefer to only go to the top rather than the end. Stop was intended to mean "not go beyond".

Your other points are well taken and I'll review those instructionals again. Thanks.

I hit balls today trying to simply maintain the flying wedges, like Brian's clip at the end of his messages, and the results were quite good. Maybe that's a more consistent method than trying to add float.

Bruce

 

[Squishband]

Float loading is GREAT! However when doing it don't succumb to the temptation of jerking from the top. I think Homer also cautions about this in the book.
The movement should feel slow and steady and as your arms start down the left wrist cocks more and the right bends more, it also helps to feel your right elbow bend more as well. It feels like you are delivering a ball in bowling and like the shaft is coming from under your right forearm. A very underarm throw kind of feeling. Gives you plenty of revs and you must let the club do it's thing without any hand/wrist influence. Good old SMASHEROO! Free energy is good energy

 

[Brian Manzella]

If you make a good pass at the ball, you will almost always have some "float."

But it is much better for a swinger.