OCTOBER 3RD, 2006 — 8:00 EDT — LIVE THREAD

[blehnhard]

Not sure what the backswing point is - I do not make any attempt to turn my hips independently on the backswing - they turn as a result of my intention to take my hands to the desired top/end position for the shot at hand. So my hands are pulling my body going back

Burce

 

[Brian Manzella]

Do you do this consciously, Bruce?
Downswing takes about a quarter of a second remember

He (and we) certainly have time to center...don't we??

 

[Brian Manzella]

Not sure what the backswing point is - I do not make any attempt to turn my hips independently on the backswing - they turn as a result of my intention to take my hands to the desired top/end position for the shot at hand. So my hands are pulling my body going back

Burce

That is your procedure....and it is a good one, esp for good players.

But, some golfers —including HOGAN AND SNEAD turned their hips EARLIER than the hands would have pulled them, and also TOOK THE CLUB AND THEIR ARMS inside the plane.

But to me....PERFECT.

 

[tbarbertab]

So..

the arms and clubshaft have to follow the hips

GOING AND COMING

(really though, I couldn't care less what they think, this is what I strongly believe).

So, you were trying to get me to use LESS hip turn going back to get the arms going more UP, correct?

 

[rchang72]

So, you were trying to get me to use LESS hip turn going back to get the arms going more UP, correct?

Funny for me, Brian was trying to do the opposite. Work on my hips back and then through.

 

[Brian Manzella]

So, you were trying to get me to use LESS hip turn going back to get the arms going more UP, correct?

Yes, tracey!!

Like Bruce here, you were being told by me to BUMP your hips maybe, but turn them ONLY as much as the arms/hands/clubhead (The Power Package) pulled them around.

So for you—UP, IN & BACK the downswing plane.

 

[Bill Miracle]

I think the more experience you have.....

He (and we) certainly have time to center...don't we??

It's like being in a pro football game and a great professional player....every thing is so fast but seems soooo sloooow..

For beginners, like me, we burn right through and miss the ability to sense things like the moment of squaring because of skill level and experience. So many things you're trying to put together!!! We know to do it but...have not mastered it yet.

 

[blehnhard]

Centering

Brian and Damon

I use this thought to get rid of the tendency to 'throw' my weight to far ahead of the swing (I grew up in the 'leg drive' era). I would like to feel my weight is still on my right side and moves to the left as I release the club. I do not want most of my weight in front of the swing - I want mass behind the shot, not in front of it. I want to 'wait' with my 'weight'.

I work on it as a thought in practice with 1/2 speed swings and use it as a practice motion prior to on course swings - do not think of it 'under the gun'

Bruce

 

[Brian Manzella]

Funny for me, Brian was trying to do the opposite. Work on my hips back and then through.

It is funny, isn't it?

Some need EARLY and PLENTY hip turn....some need as little as possible.

 

[rchang72]

But that was probably my swing flaws were not enough around my spine and then later hanging too far back.

 

[Brian Manzella]

I want mass behind the shot, not in front of it.
Bruce

I STRONGLY AGREE!

To me, the most BASIC thing in golf besides hitting down on the ball.

 

[Brian Manzella]

But that was probably my swing flaws were not enough around my spine and then later hanging too far back.

yup.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Hello Michael Finney!

Mike,

What is your feeling on your head position at impact???

 

[Brian Manzella]

And you too Tom Bartlett!

Head at impact.

Where?

Bruce likes to feel behind it.

Bruce what about your head at impact?

 

[blehnhard]

Under Plane

I played for many years taking it back inside (and also 'shut') and then 'outside' the backswing plane coming down. My problem was that I would throw the club too much to the inside with my hands, instead of just letting the turn take it inside and slightly under the plane.

I am probably still a little under going back, but it does not feel that way.

Bruce

 

[Brian Manzella]

I played for many years taking it back inside (and also 'shut') and then 'outside' the backswing plane coming down. My problem was that I would throw the club too much to the inside with my hands, instead of just letting the turn take it inside and slightly under the plane.

I am probably still a little under going back, but it does not feel that way.

Bruce

So, trying NOT to hook it. Right?

 

[Brian Manzella]

Funny thing.

Hogan was ANTI-hook, but slightly UNDER on the backswing.

 

[Tom Bartlett]

Head at impact.

Where?

Bruce likes to feel behind it.

Bruce what about your head at impact?

What does it FEEL like? It feels like it is a mile behind the ball.

 

[Damon Lucas]

Head at impact.

Where?

Bruce likes to feel behind it.

Bruce what about your head at impact?

Is it different for different clubs/shots?
I like to feel on top of it for shorter irons...a little behind it for driver...too far and I lose timing, too little and I get underneath it and blocks/flippy

 

[blehnhard]

Head at Impact

I do not try to 'center' my head between my feet at address, but make no effort to be 'way behind' it either. I do not try to keep it still, nor do I try to move it in the swing.

As George Knudsen said in his book, "the head moves as it will".

I know that if I get my weight too far forward (thowing the hips forward) that my head will fall back to counterbalance - I hate that with irons, because I feel I can no longer 'hit down. I can get away with it when using the driver but do not like it.

I like a steady head, but not still.

Bruce