Leo,
I think with the kinetic chain that there are a lot of set up and physiological aspects to it.
Your set up will dictate much of when and how your chain 'snaps'. For instance, left foot turned in=earlier braking point. Same with square hip line versus open hip line.
ALL OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL!
Your body's limitations will dictate much of when and how. Tighter and weaker usually mean an earlier 'release' which might show up as a weaker shot pattern, steering, or recruitment of other sources.
Essentially the range of motion between your joints will dictate a lot.
Your mental limitations will affect the chain. Mentally tightening will cause a breakdown-probably a 'holding' of one segment.
I think the selected shot pattern has much to do with it. The person who feels like he rotates ALL the way to his finish position is still 'snapping', but just feels it less, and the overtaking takes place closer to impact, or relatively later, which leaves certain feelings, or perceptions in the phase of the swing that is pretty much a 'blur' to almost everyone.
Finally, I would disagree that you can't work on it. I think that punch shots, and half swings are good for working on the deceleration side of the sequence. This is a skill for the better players generally, and no need for any explanations.
Just some random thoughts...I do agree that it is an interesting subject, and look forward to the various viewpoints.
Damon
Here are some of my thoughts:
It's a complex chain. Leg work driving the hips - hips and core muscles driving the shoulders -shoulders and upper body muscles driving the arms - hands/arms driving the club.
The efficiency comes from driving each segment so that energy and momentum are transferred efficiently to the next segment. Each segment needs to keep driving- work needs to go on - to eventually be able to provide maximum kinetic energy to the club head at impact. Any slow-down prior impact in any segment should only happen as a result of the kinetic energy/momentum transfer to the next segment.
The torque curves in each segment should be optimized and we are not dealing with modern machinery with well calibrated sensors and computers that can be programmed to provide repeatably the exact torque that's required.
The problem is not the processing power in our computers, it's the sensory system. Our sensors don't give out numbers, they're based on the ever elusive feel. Calibration varies from day to day and during an round, shot to shot.
I've started to think that axis tilt plays a role, not only in the geometry (getting right shoulder down on plane), but also in efficient transfer of kinetic energy from hips to shoulders.
Club release can be more of a snap or sweep type release. I think there's evidence that both styles can be applied efficiently. How it happens, may depend on the driving torque curve applied to the hands prior and during the release and what kind of work right arm does.
Personally I'm still working on trying to get my pivot going properly, staring from the legwork and then getting more axis tilt.
