Drag the handle

[puttmaster]

When a swinger is dragging the handle or pulling with the pivot on the down swing it is important to have opposing pressure in the right and left hands (extensor action) for lagging the sweet spot and the down swing release sequence to be correct.
From the top of the down swing if the right hand is pushing up plane while the pivot is dragging or pulling the left hand down plane provides control of rhythm and the opposing pressures keep the hands and arms from out running the pivot and causing blocks and chicken wings.

Extensor action is very important throughout the golf swing but it is explained incorrectly and done incorrect most of the time. From address you apply this opposing pressure with the right hand pushing out while the left hand pulls in. The right hand overpowers the left a little on the back swing and the left over powers the right a little on the down swing.

This action is what tour pros are doing and most of the rest of the golfing world is not. Give it a try and you will see a big difference in lag and ball striking. Just pulling or dragging the left hand is not going to get it. You might get lucky every once in a while but it will not last long. Also this dragging or pulling without the opposing pressure from the right promotes pulling the hosel into the ball and leads to shanks. You will cast and release early.

GH -- I THINK you are describing a feeling and action that I accidentally find some rounds. Like two days ago when my drives and irons were suddenly much longer and it seemed my swing was MUCH more effortless than normal. I felt that I was releasing the clubhead much earlier than normal (and wondered if I was flipping) but I really didn't care because the driver was suddenly 30 yards longer and the irons were a full club longer.

It seemed as though my left hand/arm was controlling the first part of the down swing (pulling down) and my right hand/arm took over from half way down and through impact (throwing or pushing through).Alas, I could not repeat the same 1-2, left-right feeling today, which is frustrating. It seems to be a rhythm and timing thing. Also, the other day it was very noticeable that I was using MUCH less lower body action. But I was LOVING the results.

So...in order to help find that feeling again, please tell me how I can be dropping my right elbow back to my side AND be pushing up with my "right hand to the sky" at the same time? Any "feel" cues would be appreciated.

Many thanks for your comments...
pm

 

[Guitar Hero]

True Extensor Action

GH -- I THINK you are describing a feeling and action that I accidentally find some rounds. Like two days ago when my drives and irons were suddenly much longer and it seemed my swing was MUCH more effortless than normal. I felt that I was releasing the clubhead much earlier than normal (and wondered if I was flipping) but I really didn't care because the driver was suddenly 30 yards longer and the irons were a full club longer.

It seemed as though my left hand/arm was controlling the first part of the down swing (pulling down) and my right hand/arm took over from half way down and through impact (throwing or pushing through).Alas, I could not repeat the same 1-2, left-right feeling today, which is frustrating. It seems to be a rhythm and timing thing. Also, the other day it was very noticeable that I was using MUCH less lower body action. But I was LOVING the results.

So...in order to help find that feeling again, please tell me how I can be dropping my right elbow back to my side AND be pushing up with my "right hand to the sky" at the same time? Any "feel" cues would be appreciated.

Many thanks for your comments...
pm

You want to start the pushing up plane action with the right hand and the pulling down plane action of the left hand at the end of the take away or when you start cocking the left wrist up or when you start folding the right elbow letting this action cock the left wrist for the back swing. Also the pushing action from the right hand is from the index and thumb and the pulling pressure is from the last three fingers of the left hand. This feel is like what is described in TGM as pulling on both ends of a rope.

True extensor action is achieved using PP#3 pushing up plane and pp#2 the last fingers of the left hand pulling down plane. In TGM book the opposing pressure is from the left shoulder joint. It is much more precise if the pulling is from the last 3 fingers of the left hand and it will feel like an isometric exercise when done correctly with the right hand over powering the left a little on the back swing and the left overpowering the right a little on the down swing.

During the down swing it is important that the pull from the left hand is produced with the down swing pivot and not just a pull of the left arm.

You do not want to use a pushing out force with pp#1 at all when doing this action on the back swing and some might have a little bit of separation of the right heel pad off of the left thumb. This is ok as it will reconnect on the down swing and does not change alignments.

You do not need to pinch the grip hard with the index and thumb of the right hand but have enough firm pressure in the index and thumb of the right hand to push up without the right hand sliding up the grip.

As you start the down swing you have a few options.

Here are 3 options I teach with a ¾ back swing. There are more possibilities depending on back swing length and release point.


1. You can relax the up plane pressure from the right hand just prior to the release.

2. You can relax the up plane pressure from the right hand about half way down where the shaft is vertical and start adding thrust with the right arm straightening from pp#1 the pad of the right hand pushing against the left thumb towards the ball through impact to the end of follow through.

3. Just prior to the release you can pull harder with the last 3 fingers of the left hand towards the left pocket while pushing hard with pp#3 opposing this direction while applying the thrust from pp#1 towards the ball. This will produce maximum power but takes some practice to get the sequence correct. This action will have the feel of the hands moving left through impact.

To Better Golf,

John W Rohan-Weaver CMAI, GSEM

 

[puttmaster]

Many thanks for your response, John. Not sure if I was unintentionally doing No. 2 or No. 3 (I THINK No. 3) earlier this week, but, thanks to your excellent description, can practice these in slow motion until I better understand the feel and the resulting increase in power. (That 2-over nine-hole round followed an evening of doing slow-mo swing drills, focusing on swing plane and aiming the grip end at the ball on the downswing with some BManz toss. I seem to learn better doing drills in slo-mo.)

I appreciate you taking time to write such a thorough description..
pm

 

[vjsinger]

Thanks for the time and very easy to understand explanation on this G.H. I think I am going to use this in my golf swing. I do enjoy the feeling of "width"/extension/stretch in the swing. I will say, even though it is early in my experimentation, that it doesn't add much pop to my swing, but I do believe it helps me with synchronicity. Will continue to experiment and report with results. Thanks again. P.S...Trackman with Kevin on April 4th, can't wait to see my numbers.

 

[Guitar Hero]

Many thanks for your response, John. Not sure if I was doing No. 2 or No. 3 earlier this week, but, thanks to your excellent description, can practice these in slow motion until I better understand the feel and the resulting increase in power. (That 2-over nine-hole round followed an evening of doing slow-mo swing drills, focusing on swing plane and aiming the grip end at the ball on the downswing with some BManz toss. I seem to learn better doing drills in slo-mo.)

I appreciate you taking time to write such a thorough description..
pm

Working on Super Slow Motion swings using mirrors is key to learning sequence.

 

[Guitar Hero]

Thanks for the time and very easy to understand explanation on this G.H. I think I am going to use this in my golf swing. I do enjoy the feeling of "width"/extension/stretch in the swing. I will say, even though it is early in my experimentation, that it doesn't add much pop to my swing, but I do believe it helps me with synchronicity. Will continue to experiment and report with results. Thanks again. P.S...Trackman with Kevin on April 4th, can't wait to see my numbers.

Power will come with more precision motion of the sequence. Getting a feel for it is key. Your session with TrackMan is going to help you big time.

 

[curtisj76]

I believe this "dragging the handle" stuff is a reason I struggle with push fades, maybe not.

 

[dashfan87]

I believe this "dragging the handle" stuff is a reason I struggle with push fades, maybe not.

Maybe, because let me tell you, I drug the handle one time today, once, and I hit my first shankasourus in about 2 years.... I didnt do that again...

 

[puttmaster]

I believe this "dragging the handle" stuff is a reason I struggle with push fades, maybe not.

I spent many hours in Jan and Feb WORKING on draggin the handle -- in an attempt, I thought, to retain lag. For me anyway, the end result was a loss of power, a loss of feel and rhythm in my swing, and a lot of frustration.

So, this week I went back to really feeling the clubhead release, and, voila! some swing speed and distance has returned. I'm sure I did or was doing something wrong, but, "drag the handle" is a concept that does not work for me.

 

[johnpritch]

Hi GH

Thank you for your posts here! Could you please clarify the directions of these opposing efforts of the hands? I've heard about the hands maintaining a pressure against each other (sort of across or "through" the shaft I suppose as if you were pushing your two palms together) but your description of the right hand outward push being up the plane and the left hand pull being down the plane suggests that the actions are along the shaft, the left hand pull toward the butt end and the right hand push toward the head (or is the right hand pushing across the shaft?). I'd be grateful for your help.

John

 

[Guitar Hero]

True Extensor Action

johnpritch

The left hand pp#2 pulls toward the butt end and the right hand pp#3 pushes towards the head. You want to apply this action when you start the cocking of the left wrist or the folding of the right elbow.

About half way down or when the shaft is vertical on the down swing the right hand heel pad pp#1 can start pushing on the left hand thumb across the shaft towards the ball through impact.

You do have other options when you start the pushing action of pp#1 as well.

If you start it more from the start of the back swing you would have a slow steady force through impact.

If you start it during a late release you can apply a quick punch through impact.

The key is to find out which one works best with your sequence for adding power to your swing.

I suggest you work on the left hand pp#2 pulling towards the butt end and the right hand pp#3 pushing towards the head and relax the right hand pp#3 about half way down the down swing.

Get this sequence first to where you are hitting solid shots and then start adding right arm thrust.


To Better Golf,

John W Rohan-Weaver CMAI, GSEM

 

[Guitar Hero]

Maybe, because let me tell you, I drug the handle one time today, once, and I hit my first shankasourus in about 2 years.... I didnt do that again...

You are pulling the handle or the butt of the club to the ball with just your left arm and lagging the hosel. This is incorrect motion. The pull is from the pivot and the left hand or the butt of the club does not go to the ball. It moves towards your left pocket. This pulling action must have an opposing force from the right hand and the club face must be in a correct alignment starting the down swing. It is best if you take a lesson from Brian or his staff if you want to learn this action. Not many will learn it from reading about it on the forum. It is a pro move and involves above average skill to produce it.

 

[ggsjpc]

so. is this dragging the handle without enough pivot?

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[johnpritch]

Hi John

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and so clearly too. I was up on the course with my Springer Spaniel and an 8 iron at the crack of dawn trying out what I thought you meant - turns out exactly as you just described - and was very, very pleased with the outcome. It seemed to help maintain the structure on the way down (I think I've been underplane because things collapse inwards from the top - a lack of extensor action?) and it felt as if I could choose the speed of the downswing - it usually feels more like a wild rush!

Again - a huge thank you for this!

John

PS - if the numbers come up on the weekend lottery, I'll get over there and take a few guitar lessons from you too!

 

[pieman]

GH: you said "The pull is from the pivot and the left hand or the butt of the club does not go to the ball. It moves towards your left pocket"

i was given a video by mark evershed that has a similar thought as you just said. that is to have the arms go left(or behind you). i somewhat worked on this thought and seems to have helped. is this pretty much doing the same thing as you are saying about pulling the left hand or butt towards your left pocket? it seems to me to give the same feeling and arm movement. also, do you mean the front left pocket or rear? thanks

 

[Guitar Hero]

Changing Ends

GH: you said "The pull is from the pivot and the left hand or the butt of the club does not go to the ball. It moves towards your left pocket"

i was given a video by mark evershed that has a similar thought as you just said. that is to have the arms go left(or behind you). i somewhat worked on this thought and seems to have helped. is this pretty much doing the same thing as you are saying about pulling the left hand or butt towards your left pocket? it seems to me to give the same feeling and arm movement. also, do you mean the front left pocket or rear? thanks

At the start of the down swing when the right shoulder is working down on plane the butt of the club is moving towards the ball. The butt of the club looks like it is moving on a line inside out. At about half way down the down swing is where the mistake happens with many golfers as they will continue to pull or direct the butt of the club in that inside out direction to the ball.

What I am talking about is at about half way down the down swing the butt of the club starts working towards the front left pocket as the club head is moving towards the ball. (Changing Ends) I call it. If the butt of the club keeps moving towards the ball from an inside out path you will shank or block the shot. This is what I call the right hand under the left through impact and from this position a golfer will rotate the right hand over the left or flip through impact to save the shot.

When the butt of the club works towards the left front pocket (Changing Ends) you will have the correct alignment of the right hand above the left through impact. I am working on short videos of faults and fixes and this is one that I will post on YouTube. It is not easy to explain it in just words here on the forum. It is something you need to see the action.

To Better Golf,

John W Rohan-Weaver CMAI, GSEM

 

[puttmaster]

You are pulling the handle or the butt of the club to the ball with just your left arm and lagging the hosel. This is incorrect motion. The pull is from the pivot and the left hand or the butt of the club does not go to the ball. It moves towards your left pocket. This pulling action must have an opposing force from the right hand and the club face must be in a correct alignment starting the down swing. It is best if you take a lesson from Brian or his staff if you want to learn this action. Not many will learn it from reading about it on the forum. It is a pro move and involves above average skill to produce it.

During a quick nine holes tonight, I was consciously pulling the club down towards my left pocket (rather than toward the ball). Result: an immediate gain of 15 yards with the driver and about 1/2 a club on irons. Ball flight was a nice draw that started right and drew back to the target. Note: this positive result came from pulling with my left arm/hand. I'm assuming that some slo-mo practice to ingrain a pull from the pivot will provide even better results. Thanks GH!

P.S. There was no time to consciously think of providing an opposing force with the right hand on the downswing, so that, too, will take some practice to feel and ingrain.

 

[Guitar Hero]

During a quick nine holes tonight, I was consciously pulling the club down towards my left pocket (rather than toward the ball). Result: an immediate gain of 15 yards with the driver and about 1/2 a club on irons. Ball flight was a nice draw that started right and drew back to the target. Note: this positive result came from pulling with my left arm/hand. I'm assuming that some slo-mo practice to ingrain a pull from the pivot will provide even better results. Thanks GH!

P.S. There was no time to consciously think of providing an opposing force with the right hand on the downswing, so that, too, will take some practice to feel and ingrain.

You need both. You need some pull or direction with the left hand towards the left pocket. The pivot is not going to direct the left hand to the left pocket. This is what educating the hands is all about. The key is to have a blend of both that works for you.

As for the opposing force of the right hand you want to practice that in a practice swing and don’t think about doing it in the real swing. It will happen with a little practice.

 

[puttmaster]

Thanks, John; I appreciate your help. Cheers...

 

[Guitar Hero]

Thanks, John; I appreciate your help. Cheers...

I see you are from the Bay Area. I grew up there in Oakland and San Jose. Good Times.