This is a look at the path of the hands and the left shoulder from the top of the swing using Rickie Fowler as a model.
What I am trying to show is where the hands would go if the body movement is removed. Obviously this is 2D depiction of a 3D movement and has some distortion due to the limitations of the medium.
Dear Brian,
Thanks for the incredible effort over last weekend, acquiring focused data in this area analytically, by testing, and now by your admirable visualization and computer efforts to share all of your findings with us.
Several things jumped out at me while watching the video that may be of interest. As you have probably realized from our previous discussions, I trust, believe strongly, and IMO have enough scientific evidence to conclude that the natural capability of EVERYONE, is to perform complicated motor actions of the body within a common set of priorities (ie safety, survival etc) and unique constraints (minimum energy, stay within normal ranges of motion etc.).
When, for presently unknown reasons, there are 'exceedances' of the again natural and unique capabilities of each of us, our body's will respond with involuntary reflex actions, and reroute proximal and even distal elements, and in the case of a golf swing, compromise both the energy and desired path and position of the golf club.
The video above, and probably most of the videos of elite golfers, have so little of this involuntary activity that it just can not be seen at 30 frames per second in 2D. So we are fortunate then in that this video captures the characteristics of a very well trained golfer, with incredible club head velocity generating capability, and unnoticeable error-generating movements, therefore 'a good act to TRY to follow, but how far, and which incremental movements are best to change for each of us, the away from the target shoulder stretch, a larger 'back to the target' move/delay, etc.???
Two science-based thoughts/conclusions come to mind, (1) RF's body is 'reaching/positioning' for his maximum overall dynamic balance during the transition, and (2) RF is using his body's internal knowledge, and based on experience from 'millions' of swings, his uniquely-distributed use of the famous 'stretch shorten cycles- SSC' to max-out the torque generating, and measurable peaks of the kinematic sequences of the pelvis, torso, shoulder complexes, and the arms. Yes BOTH arms, as it is clear in full swing videos of elite golfers that the right arm and hand contribute to the development of maximum club head velocity without having to be a pure 'hitter'.
So what do I think this might mean to all of us seeking improvement from golf 'truth' ?? Certainly it very loudly reinforced in my mind, the crucial need to 'marry, and synchronize' the use of force plates (and the resultant ground reaction forces) ideally with higher frequency video, 3D and Trackman. Then for the first time we will be able to see, analyze and determine how each golfer performs naturally, and which 'swing-optimizing' changes should be made and to what degree for their unique set-up and transition phases. Again, I am convinced that NOTHING can/should be planned and executed during the short duration downswing.
Thanks again for your dedication and desire to communicate your findings,
Art
and covers a lot more distance (basically the whole radius of the clock). If your arm only goes up to 10 o'clock (30 degrees) your out toss is only 1 hour and the distance you go away from the target is a lot shorter. (you would only move 13% (1 - cos(30)) of the radius away from the target). If your arms go up to 11 o'clock (60 degrees) you would move 50% (1-cos(60)) of the radius away from the target.