Hogan and the flat left wrist

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EdZ

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I was doing some experimentation today at the range, with the goal of following Hogan's 5 lessons to the letter.

My lead hand grip tends to get a touch into the palm (not much, but certainly not down in the fingers as much as today). After forcing myself to really get the grip down in the fingers, heel pad on top, I began to really understand Hogan's swing more that I had. I was able to reproduce it, or at the least, closer than ever before.

Getting the grip down in the fingers, properly under the heel pad, allowed me to 'get' the benefits of the 'strap' much easier, without having to focus so much on the right elbow position. A much earlier 'feel' of wrist set, in and 'under' with the thumb and thumb 'pocket', while being able to really feel the elbow positions that the strap puts you in.

This really allowed me to feel Hogan's hip move, firm, leading, left side, right arm extention, and some serious lag.

So the question is this - given the benefits of the flat left wrist (of which there are many), would you ever teach someone NOT to have a flat left wrist at the top? (excepting impact, where it is, unargued a must).

I'm going to try to get some video sometime next week to confirm the feels I experienced today. Having the grip in the lead hand fingers initially felt 'loose', but after getting used to it - WOW.

I've not been one to advocate too early a wrist set, but it is so much easier to come from the inside and extend through the shot, I'm re-thinking that approach.

Thoughts from 'Doc'?

Thanks Brian - EdZ
 
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Brian Manzella

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I'm really worried about this 'in the fingers' business...

Hogan used a random sweep assembly (At the side, not early/not late).

Explain your new grip abit more if you could Ed...
 
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EdZ

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best way to explain it, press the thumb against the side of the hand/forefinger, take the grip with the club resting on the right shoulder, thumb 'under' the shaft, hands close to the shoulder, club 'under' the heelpad, with very loose wrists, firm fingers. Assuming you keep the thumb/forefinger pressed, and get the thumb 'under', you should be pretty close to what I was using. Perhaps just the sizing of my grip, but very much a 'fingers' feel, while still being supported by the heelpad and being diagonal to the index finger (can still do the hogan heelpad check, just more in the fingers)

Edit:

another way to get the general feel, do the above with a pen (keep the thumb/forefinger connection), and get it 'under the heelpad', in line with the lower forearm bone - gives you very 'free' wrists, and firm fingers - there is a very slight 'trigger' of the left hand, the forefinger is not up against the middle finger (creates the perfect place of the little finger of the right hand)
 
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densikat

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EdZ:

Why do you want "free" wrists? It is my understanding that we strive to keep the bend in the right wrist at a "frozen" constant amount and it is desirable to keep the left wrist flat all the time. I would think free wrist may lead to a breakdown in this structure?
 
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Powerdraw

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quote:Originally posted by densikat

EdZ:

Why do you want "free" wrists? It is my understanding that we strive to keep the bend in the right wrist at a "frozen" constant amount and it is desirable to keep the left wrist flat all the time. I would think free wrist may lead to a breakdown in this structure?
Click to expand...

I must agree with you Mr Densikat,you must be a wise old man for such wisdom.....
i do not know if you agree Mr Densikat, but i sure would like a glimpse at the new "Ed HoganZ" swing on vid.....
sounds too good!LOL!
[8D]
 
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hue

New
quote:Originally posted by Powerdraw

[quote
.....
I sure would like a glimpse at the new "Ed HoganZ" swing on vid.....
sounds too good!LOL!
[8D]
Click to expand...
Me too. I would like to see the "Rim Rider" in action.:D
 
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EdZ

New
I'll see what I can do re: video.

See page 63 of 5 lessons for the top of swing position I am talking about

played a few after work yesterday, and am seriously re-thinking the 'requirement' of the flat left wrist at the top (which isn't to say that the majority of folks shouldn't aim for that flat left wrist, they absolutely should, or that it shouldn't be flat/arched at impact, which it should, see page 102)

Ball flight was outstanding, a very unique sound, nice thin, wider/longer than usual divots - the sound of compression and turf was poetry in motion, and the pp3 lag was SO easy to maintain, hit 304 yard drive (wet conditions, nearly all carry)
 
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EdZ

New
not downhill bcoak, I don't carry a handicap, but I'd say its around a 3 at the moment, my distance control chipping has been off, as has my putting (but then the greens are plugged right now)

I hit the ball as well as any tour pro (no, I'm not kidding), just don't have the short game or time
 
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