Mid-body hands is an efficient alignment for a number of reasons, and not a compensation. The core reason is that it allows you to get and stay on plane far simpler than beginning at impact fix, helps with the feel of the right forearm, and sets the hands in the proper relationship to the shoulder line and chest. Low point being under the ground is another key factor. Despite the illusion, it is anatomically, physically, and geometrically a proper procedure.
I think that you may have misunderstood my statement.
My comments regarding "compensation" were made regarding my assessment of those who adopt mid-body hands and keep the clubface at its impact fix alignment. They have to "manipulate" (turn) the wrist alignment to achieve this rather than allow clubface to take on an alignment at mid body hands which was more closed than impact fix ( which maintains wrist vertical).
This is the point that Brian Manzella's recent video tutorial illustrates very nicely and seems very natural for mid-body hands and swinging . But did Homer mention this ? Did he overlook it or consider it and think it unimportant?
If you adopt closed clubface at adjusted address and hit it straight is this a sign of a non-flippy motion ? Forward leaning shaft etc??
There is no precision in a grip unless you assume it in the impact condition with a clubface position to match a particular hinge action. Only then do you go back to midbody hands and the face shall be where the face shall be.....
I think that you may have misunderstood my statement.
My comments regarding "compensation" were made regarding my assessment of those who adopt mid-body hands and keep the clubface at its impact fix alignment. They have to "manipulate" (turn) the wrist alignment to achieve this rather than allow clubface to take on an alignment at mid body hands which was more closed than impact fix ( which maintains wrist vertical).
This is the point that Brian Manzella's recent video tutorial illustrates very nicely and seems very natural for mid-body hands and swinging . But did Homer mention this ? Did he overlook it or consider it and think it unimportant?
If you adopt closed clubface at adjusted address and hit it straight is this a sign of a non-flippy motion ? Forward leaning shaft etc??
If there is one main issue with TGM that drives me insane I believe it is this. Between Chuck, Yoda and Brian it seems they are each teaching a different way to grip and address the club. Brian teaches his "neutral" grip and a square face at address with mid-body hands. Chuck's has the hands at a "special" position and the face is slightly open (for a swinger). Now I'm seeing a mid-body hands and a closed face here. So which is it? Or is it another variation that the player can pick and choose which one works best?
If there is one main issue with TGM that drives me insane I believe it is this. Between Chuck, Yoda and Brian it seems they are each teaching a different way to grip and address the club. Brian teaches his "neutral" grip and a square face at address with mid-body hands. Chuck's has the hands at a "special" position and the face is slightly open (for a swinger). Now I'm seeing a mid-body hands and a closed face here. So which is it? Or is it another variation that the player can pick and choose which one works best?
For the record (Chuck), I go with the book. I’m not much familiar with other methods.
With a non-hand-manipulative swinger, centrifugal force will align the clubface for straight-away flight. Centrifugal force throws out the center of gravity of the secondary lever assembly; the sweetspot. Centrifugal force doesn’t know the difference between the clubface and your shoes. It only knows center of gravity. If you swing without having the center of gravity aligned (trailing and on-plane with the clubshaft during the downswing) then, unfortunately, centrifugal force will perform its magic trick without the bunny. And Bam! What ever part of the clubhead replaced the center of gravity during the downswing, will hit the ball. Normally, somewhere far away from the true sweetspot.
Take your grip in the impact fix location with the shaft leaning forward and with the left thumb and #3 pressure point on the aft side of the shaft (strong single action). Hint: (with your left thumb on the shaft at impact fix, it will seem to point toward the clubhead center of gravity). When your hands move back to standard address, turn your hands so that the clubface is square or slightly open. If you move your hands to adjusted address without turning your wrists, you have manipulated the clubface (TGM is about geometry, not positions). You will have to un-manipulate the clubface before the downswing because the normal amount of takeaway Turn and fanning will not align the clubhead center of gravity behind and on plane with the clubshaft for the downswing (at the top of the swing your clubface will be closed).
Non-hand-manipulation swinging means that at impact, centrifugal force will align the clubface. Before impact (and after), it’s just you.
Hint #2. The swing has 24 components, so learn these grips and alignments in Basic Motion, and then Acquired Motion so that most components are zeroed out or slowed down. Then you can see the effect of grip and alignment changes without an unknown other component interfering.
Thanks Daryl, though your post has me a bit confused. I must meditate on it.
I had a range session today that went pretty well, and I was experimenting with different set-ups. I took my left hand grip at low point and then put my right hand in there, moved the hands to the ball and went to mid-body hands -- the clubface was a bit closed. Very good results. Then tried the "modified" version where the hands are a bit more forward and the clubface appeared open (actually, I think it is square to the alternate line?) and had less good results. The problem is one I think you addressed in the last sentence. When trying to figure out what works best all the other things have to be working correctly or you'll never know for sure.
Next time I see ldeit it's something I'll make sure we go over. I've been working hard on the things he taught me and hope I'm getting it.
1) Take your hands to impact fix
2) Take your grip
3) Move your hands to a position where you can draw a straight plane line and don't worry about what the face looks like.
Do all 3 above and you'll be fine. The key is that a certain way you setup with your hands will "promote" a on-plane or off-plane takeaway. So setup with your hands that will keep you on plane where ever that is.
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I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
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