I went to the course and practiced what you taught. I have got those shots down now. It took minutes. Another compartment is now tidied up. I look forward to the short game DVD so that I can get the other unclear bits of my game fixed. Thank you .
Yes, DOC, this is my standard 'set' at Address. You have mentioned a similar look in Ben Hogan's Start Down and you are correct. In fact, he likewise prepared for that Instant Acceleration Hip Action in his own Address position. The video In Pursuit of Excellence clearly shows this lower body positioning. I am sure one of our tech-talented members could extract a still photo from the video and post it for all to see.
A primary benefit of this slight Slide (and Turn) of the Hips to the left is that it tilts the spine -- the axis of the Shoulder Turn -- a bit away from the Target. This is accomplished while keeping the Head Stationary and between the Feet (in contrast to the common advice to tilt the spine simply by hanging the Head over the Right Knee). As a result, the Right Shoulder comes down somewhat, thus giving the player 'more Right Arm'. This, in turn, facilitates the Right Elbow bend required for the On Plane Right Forearm Flying Wedge. Don't focus on the Knees, though: They do move slightly to the left, but only to support the Hip Slide. In other words, don't substitute a Knee Motion for what should be a Hip Motion.
This is not a new idea. In his 1946 classic, On Learning Golf,Percy Boomer recommended a similar Address positioning, one he alternately called the 'set', the 'brace' and 'profiled Hips'. Relating it to the ancient Egyptian dancers with their square Feet and Shoulder lines, but 'profiled' (open) Hips, he refers frequently to the 'brace' and its benefits. This cornerstone of his teaching apparently worked for his students: He was the most successful Golf Instructor of his day and was recently named the #1 Golf Guru of All Time in a Sports Illustrated poll of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers.
Yoda~
For me, your routine in Dowels Wedges and the referenced video combined with the script of your second paragraph is like another video. I used a mirror to verify a steady centered head with the hip move, being aware of the knee position and spine tilt. Those who feel some Address spine tilt aids the shoulder turn but lean, should benefit.
I will watch for the Hogan photo and anticipate the discussion it may stimulate.
Yes, I "know" Percy Boomer and about his three braces and feeling the shot through the address. The Stationary head Basic Essential gives it new meaning. Mr. Kelley may have wanted to discuss Mr. Boomer's feel of driving a wedge under a door.
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