Leg Drive Mythology And Its Price Tag
| Fl-John wrote: | | Yoda:
You mention in the "Start Down" analysis of Bobby's swing about a common misconception that knee action vs hip action is starting the downswing. Could you elaborate if possible. I am thinking that people are assuming their knee action vs a true hip slide is starting the downswing, which also sounds wrong!
Thanks in advance!
FL-John |
You hear less about 'leg drive' today than you did in the '70s and '80s. Butwhen these pictures were taken, leg drive was The Way to create Power --on the PGA Tour and on the public links.
Despite The Way's popularity, The Truth was -- and is -- asHomer's analysis suggests: Most 'leg drivers' begin their Start Down byshuttling their knees forward in an exaggerated fashion. This causes the Kneesto Bend beyond their Impact Fix degree of Bend, lowering the Head and with it,the Left Shoulder Center of the Stroke. This faulty move is Bobbing, theThird Snare (3-F-7-C), and unless there is a compensation by Impact, thedisruption in the Left Shoulder-to-Ball Radius will produce disastrousresults.
In my schools at that time, I illustrated these concepts using swing sequencesof Jerry Pate , the Poster Child for the exaggerated Downstroke KneeBend and its resultant lowered Head position. The necessary compensations(2-J-1) to shorten the suddenly too-long Radius (Left Arm and Club) -- namely,the bending of the Left Arm and the pulling back of the Left Shoulderat Impact -- were in full flower. I don't believe it coincidental thatJerry's career was cut much too short by injury -- specifically, Left Shoulderinjury.
In a Pivot Stroke, the geometrically correct Start Down is led by the Left HipSlide. This tilts the Axis of the Stroke (the Spine), and allows the RightShoulder to deliver the Loaded Power Package correctly Downplane into Impact.The Knees serve as Anchors (7-16) during this process, stabilizing The Machineby maintaing its Pivot Center, the Stationary Head.
What I wouldn't give to have known then what I know now...
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