Bend and Throw...

[Wallop]

I've enjoyed the discussion here and I own most of Brian's dvds. Currently using the SD pattern with much success thanks to the idea of the soft toss and "one last point", which seems to help me stay on plane.

Here's my comment and question. I've been interested in Paul Goydos swing and his longevity on the Tour after I saw him play in the Players Championship last year. He has not only stayed on Tour (14 years) with his swing, but he won the Sony a couple of years ago and came within a wedge of winning the Players. When I look at his swing on Youtube he bends his left arm on the backswing and keeps his right foot on the ground way through impact. Johnny Miller called his swing "a bend and a throw." My question to the TGM'ers is...While I know he is shortening his swing arc, could a bent left arm be considered a power accumulator?

 

[Notorious B.E.N.]

For some people the bent left arm could increase other power accumulators I think.

I hit the ball further when my left arm is free of tension and slighty bent but very slightly. I don't stiff arm the club to the top with no wrist hinge like a retard Sergio.

But I do not think it is a power accumulator. The Manzella Staff could answer your question better though.

 

[Wallop]

NB-

That's a good point. I think a slightly bent left arm with the pros is a lack of tension in the swing. Amateurs with a bent left arm is probably the result of a lack of pivot/arms driven swing, which is bound to lead to poor contact.

Goydos looks like he uses his for timing and Kenny Perry looks like he bends his to reach a position, maybe due to a certain lack of flexibility. I thinks it's interesting that they both keep their right foot down way through impact. Maybe this is the only way they can have consistent contact after changing their swing arc in the backswing. Brian mentions that in one of his youtube videos on keeping the right foot down.