shoulder turn

[Erik_K]

We've seen some discussion about the shoulder turn. Specifically, the plane of the shoulders.

What are the advantages of steep plane for the shoulders, as opposed to turning on a relatively flat plane? I have a question though. On the downswing, we want to swing down, on a steeper plane (steeper than the original plane we have at setup) down to the ball.

Other than marketing hype, why would one advocate a bent over posture that forces swinging on an overly steep plane? Homer wrote that we should turn on the flatest plane possible (if I am not mistaken). And when we swing down, if you have some axis tilt, you'll want to swing down on a slightly steeper plane to deliver the club to the inside aft quadrant of the ball. If we unwind on the same axis, it's hard to hit the ball on the inside. At least that's the case for me.

 

[Brian Manzella]

Simple.

You want your right shoulder to move toward the ball on the downswing.

So...if you bend over far enough, your shoulders will ROTATE on a plane that will have the right shoulder move toward the ball on the downswing without any need for our little friend--Axis Tilt.

But this "bent over far enough" position, is GROSSLY too bent over for any kind of decent golf to be played.

So...the theory has been by the "bend over" crowd led by Mac O'Grady, that if you bend over a lot, you will get to use less Axis Tilt.

Only one little problem....

Axis Tilt is good.

So, if you set up to the ball like a golfer (Tiger Woods), you will need to have a certain amount of Axis Tilt to have your right shoulder to move toward the ball on the downswing.

Great....So what does this have to do with a Rotated or Flat Shoulder Turn on the backstroke??

Well, "to line up your joints" on the backswing like the biomechanists say is optimum, you need a Flat Shoulder Turn.

Their are MANY more reasons from a GEOMETRIC point of view, but the Manzella version is much simplier:

You make a Flat Shoulder Turn on the Backstroke because it makes the Downstroke easier to do.

 

[Erik_K]

as always, Brian, your responses fail to disappoint.

 

[RicoSuave]

thanks for this clear statement Brian

 

[Jared Willerson]

It does indeed, thanks Brian.

 

[Spike]

Nice Brian,

Not only easier to do but easier on the body.