Special setup for the disabled etc.

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davel

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I am a rear leg aboveknee amputee. I am in the process of trying to decide between swinging and hitting and adjustments needed to be made because of the limitations of the mechanical leg. It doesn't take to much rocket science to realized that my swing has to be mostly upperbody with a a little left hip left knee action. Starting with the basics I have been working with my posture. The biggest thing I see is when I flex my good knee properly it is angled much more than than the rear knee which is set by the prothetic people to about 4 degree of bend. This lowers me on my front side and when I swing I can feel posture changes occuring and the tendency is to top shots and sometimes reverse pivot. As I see it I can do 2 things. The first is to reduce the bend of my good knee close to but not locked to match up more with the other knee. The alternative is I have a computer knee which has a second mode which can be programmed to a preset angle which will always maintain that angle. The problem is I use that mode for exercise with bikes and elliptical machines.

Well enough background.Should I straighten my lead leg to match or change my alternative setting? Given I get in a good position should I try swinging or hitting. I am flexible but I am not strong.

Give it to me straight!

Dave
 
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EdZ

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It depends a bit on how much you are able to brace your weight back against your trail leg really. Are you able to throw a baseball similar to a pitcher?

In any case, you can develop a very solid swing keeping your weight entirely on your lead leg. In fact, it can almost be easier to do so (slightly less power, but not much really, made up for by having a very stable 'center').

Take a look at Ted Fort's motion (www.lynnblakegolf.com) He doesn't shift to his trail leg much, if at all. Most hitter's don't.

You can also 'swing' quite well without the shift, just with slighlty less power. If you haven't already, I would strongly suggest Ernest Jones "Swing the Clubhead" and Alex Morrisons "A New Way to Better Golf".

Both offer swinging patterns that would work well with less shift.
 
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davel

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Yes I have read Ernest Jones which in a way is a example of a good golfer with the same problem. He did have a advantage in that he was a pro before the war. The other book you mentioned I have not been able to find since I believe it is out of print. The ernest jones method is the least detailed method of golf I have ever read. Just swing the club with the hands where swing isdefined as the handle and clubhead go in the same direction , maintain your balance,and find your right tempo. Not much to go on but I have played some good golf in the past where I just took a swing with no thought and I have no idea what moved the club in either direction. The franklin brothers are the only ones I know who teach this and it might be a good idea to see them.

Thanks
Dave
 
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davel

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Brian

Its good that you say I can be a swinger but I am a little confused on different peoples definitions. I thought swinging would be a pull of the club on the down swing with your left arm and hitting would be using your right arm and shoulder to push the club through.Are we talking somewhat of a hybrid version?

Dave
 
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davel

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Brian

That would be great. I didn't have a chance to tell you I think your forum is great and I love a guy who has strong convictions and a open mind. You certainly fit the bill and you top it off with a knowlege of the golf swing that amazes me. Your swing looks so simple why can't everyone do it? I love seeing that turf fly after the ball.

Dave
 
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tincup2004

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At Destin, Lynn and Ted were goofin around and demonstrated Hitting and Swinging standing on one leg. Ted Hit (driver) while standing only on his right leg while Lynn demo'd Swinging (driver) while standing only on his left leg. Pretty impressive stuff.
 
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davel

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Brian

You must have gotten at lot of rain down there and more to follow. In fact some of your rain came north and I couldn't finish the round. The horns shut the course down. I would not get concerned for not getting to it for I am rather honored that you even considered it. When you get spare time it would be interesting to see what it looks like and then I may be able to pull a Peter Jacobsen and emulate it. I tried tiger woods as the model and for some reason it didn't work. When I turned my hips fast I rotated around so I was facing backwards.
Dave
 
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tincup2004

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quote:Originally posted by davel

Could they demonstrate hacking on one leg?

Dave
Click to expand...

Maybe, I'm not sure. You'd have to ask them. The reason why I brought it up was to show that Hitting or Swinging (with a driver) can be done while standing on one leg. I'm guessing it would be a bit more difficult with irons since you're hitting down and taking some turf.
 
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David Alford

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I'd go with a short backswing and a hit. The rear leg isn't used except to support. Make sure you retain the rt. wrist angle into impact. Lots of posts on these topics.
 
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davel

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Great picture! Before I had my problems I used to study them and if you look carefully look at that trail knee leading that right elbow. That was a popular move I learned and I used it from chips to full swings. Timed properly it got me into the position I wanted. I believe some teachers claim for whatever reason there is a connection between the movement of the trail elbow and knee.Missing that movement I believe I have to drive that trail shoulder down and out moving only my arms and and not my hands. Similar to what sergio does but of course not as well. The short backswing I am also working on but I really don't feel I have enough time to make a good transition with a short backswing. I could slow down my tempo and try it and see if it gives me time for that most important change in directions. I know my tempo has increased as my anxiety level has increased making me want to get the swing over quick. I could play with this on the range.

Thank you and others for feeding me your ideas.

dave
 
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mcflog

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I think you might also get a lot out of some of the pics of Casey Martins swing he kind of turned over his front leg and used his rear leg mainly for balance, also check out the teachings of Gary Edwin of Australia his students set their body angles at address and try to maintain them, add in a little TGM imperatives and it is a very effective stroke.
 
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David Alford

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>The short backswing I am also working on but I really don't feel I have enough time to make a good transition with a short backswing. I could slow down my tempo and try it and see if it gives me time for that most important change in directions.>

A longish backswing serves no purpose for a hit. The acceleration is fast once the hands are in the hitting zone, but you would be out of position to apply power much before that. Study Lynn Blake's video clip of a hit model. And you could be even shorter on the backswing if necessary.
 
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