Any thoughts about someone with a bad back hitting a fade vs. a draw?
I had back surgery for a herniated lumbar disc way back in 1987 and have been plagued with back problems ever since with a couple more herniated discs--not from golf. I have been trying to get more lag and have my right wrist and elbow bent more at impact. I have discovered that this is not easy with an inflexible and irritable low back since it seems to require more axis tilt. The bending over with the twisting motion is what irritates my back, but standing straighter and just twisting is ok.
I can still hit draws and fades with a less bent waist. If you look at my thread about trying to blend NHA and SD patterns and look at my swing, you can see I even stand up a little before and through impact with the driver, have little lag, have a pretty straight right wrist, and a high right shoulder. But, can still hit draws and fades. I am still figuring out how to get a more bent right wrist and elbow at impact with the driver, but I have found it can't be done for me with more axis tilt due to my back--I'm still trying to get a little more axis tilt within my back's acceptable range.
To draw, I just use a more inside takeaway, cross the line at the top of the swing and think turn more around through impact.
To fade, I try to use close to the same takeaway and top of the backswing, but think down the wall to impact and up the wall after impact.
I also stay in decent shape with core exercises and major muscle work outs two to three days a week with a bowflex and occasional free weights along with walking and other things related to coaching high school baseball to keep the back somewhat strong.
Hope this helps you out.
