Golf Digest Latest: McLean

[Jim Kobylinski]

Looks like he's been paying attention...

Title of Article:

Let your Tilt Increase

Subtitle:

For powerful drives, your spine angle should double at impact

 

[otto6457]

I am rather new here and I am a little confused by the terminology. What does it mean to "double" your spine angle?

I am very interested because one of my faults is that my rear end moves towards the ball even though my head stays steady. I am having a very difficult time overcoming this problem and the idea of "doubling" my spine angle seems incomprehensible since I can't maintain what I start with.

thanks in advance

 

[birdie_man]

I saw that today! (thought the same thing Jim!!)

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

I am rather new here and I am a little confused by the terminology. What does it mean to "double" your spine angle?

I am very interested because one of my faults is that my rear end moves towards the ball even though my head stays steady. I am having a very difficult time overcoming this problem and the idea of "doubling" my spine angle seems incomprehensible since I can't maintain what I start with.

thanks in advance

Actually Otto that is what you WANT to be doing. For a really good explantion watch Brian's recent "Brian Manzella Episode #4." He address how to get your right shoulder to go downplane properly which is done by what you describe.

However because you have probably read a 1000 times in a magazine that it is wrong and you want to turn on the downswing like you did on the backswing which is just BALONEY!

Here's a link to brian's latest video, it's free and will give you a great explanation:

Brian Manzella Show #4

 

[otto6457]

Jim

Thanks so much for the reply. I am afraid my unfamiliarity with the terminology has already messed up the issue.

After watching Brian's "Episode 4" that you recommended, I realized that I misunderstood the spine angle you were referring to. I thought you were discussing the spine angle one sees when looking "down the line". I figured out after watching the video that you were focusing on the increase of the spine angle from the "face on" view when the hips move forward. (great explanation of that by the way)

My problem that I see when I video tape my swing as I did here:

http://media.putfile.com/7-iron-down-the-line-39

is that my rear end moves towards the ball during my downswing. (in the video it would be moving towards the ball (towards the right side of the screen) instead of staying where it started at address) I can't seem to keep my spine angle (the one from my neck to my hips) consistent. I have tried practically everything I can think of to keep it the same as it is at address. I feel like my changing spine angle affects my ball striking and I am really unsure how to fix it.

Thanks again for the reply. It is really quite surprising to have professional teachers offering real help on an internet forum. This is amazing.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

Otto

It really seems like you "stand up" to the ball (which moves your butt closer to the ball) because you flip at it.

Because if you stayed "bent over" in your wonderful setup posture (very nice btw) and did your flip you hit the ball SOOOOOOOO FAT you might quit the game lol. So how could you get that clubhead (while going past your hands) to still hit that ball without hitting it fat?

Yup, stand up.

That's why when myself or any other instructor fixes a flip, the first few balls are students hit when we bend them over at setup (like you) and tell them where to aim their hands they chunk it REALLLLLLLLL bad. So we work on getting those hands foward and fixing that flip.

I think you would really benefit from Brian's video Confessions of a Former Flipper. Honestly, i think it is his best work to date.

Let me know if i can be of any other assistance.

 

[otto6457]

Thanks again Jim

I just purchased the "flipper video". I have never felt good about my release and hopefully this will be the beginning of some real improvement.

 

[47range]

I know it is difficult to copy a person's name but I believe that it is spelled McLean. Also, the idea of the spine gaining more tilt on the downswing is certainly not a revolutionary idea.

 

[birdie_man]

You are right.

But it is a nifty coincidence at the least.

 

[Jim Kobylinski]

I know it is difficult to copy a person's name but I believe that it is spelled McLean. Also, the idea of the spine gaining more tilt on the downswing is certainly not a revolutionary idea.

Hi 47range and sorry i spelled Mr. MCLEAN's name wrong, i know...such travesty

Anywho, you're right it is not a revolutionary idea. HOWEVER, when was the last time you saw anybody in a magazine advocate this? I know for me it has been a long time. I get tired of teachers in the magazines incorrectly showing how the shoulders and spine work on the downswing and it was nice to see someone, with a famous name, write about it.