Extensor action in swinging.....

[Golfie McG]

1. As a Preliminary Address, Grip your Left Thumb with the last two fingers of your Right Hand.

2. Pull on the Thumb to straighten your Left Arm.

3. Now proceed through the remaining eleven Sections of the Stroke, pausing in each for a few seconds and reaffirming the Stretch of the Left Arm by the Right. With the Right Wrist Bent, be very aware of the heel of the Right Hand pushing against the Left Hand Thumb. You can think of it as the 'stump' of the Right Forearm pushing against the Thumb.

4. After training solely with your Hands, go through the same routine with a dowel. Remember to Grip down on the dowel roughly the length of your Left Forearm. This promotes Left Wrist stability and the Feel of the Left Arm Flying Wedge alignments.

Personally, I think of the Twelve Sections as four subsets of three:

• Three to get ready -- Preliminary Address, Impact Fix, Adjusted Address.
  
  Three to get up -- Start Up, Backstroke, Top.
  
  Three to get down -- Start Down, Downstroke, Release.
  
  Three to get around -- Impact, Follow-Through, Finish.

As you pause in the Backstroke and Top Sections (Hands Chest high and Shoulder high), this 'Pushing Out against the Thumb" action should be unmistakeable. Keep your Head Stationary and stretch out all the 'wobble' in the Left Shoulder girdle. Turn your Head slightly and look LOOK LOOK to see the Stretch. I do most of my drill training in front of a full-length mirror and recommend you do, too.

At Start Down, leave your Hands and Right Shoulder at The Top -- they don't move! -- as your Hips move ever so slightly to the Left. Feel the Hip Action Lead as the Right Shoulder Lags and Extensor Action Stretches. This magnificent combination totally removes any left side 'slack.' If there is a Master Move in Golf, this is it.

While checking your Extensor Action visually, also note mentally every 'detectable, distinguishable Feel' the Action produces (3-B). Just as important, become aware of its contrasting Feel, i.e., Extensor Action OFF. In each Section, On...Off. On...Off.

Finally, remember that there are two ways you train Educated Hands: Eyes Open and Eyes Shut. So, complete the process with Closed Eyes.

Do this exercise -- and believe me, it can be a workout! -- for a few minutes every day. Give it your complete, concentrated attention, and you will soon note a new structure and consistency in your Golf Stroke. It will be Extensor Action Feel doing its job, operating invisibly to take your Game to the next level.

Yoda,

I would like to ensure that I understand extensor action. I am quite able to push my right forearm stump on my left thumb. In absence of other muscular activity, I would lose left wrist cock (if applied prior to clubshaft significantly beyond vertical). The only motion that prevents this is right forearm pronation (counterclockwise as the golfer observes it). Is this correct?

As a swinger I'm a bit concerned that this will impede the sequenced release.

Golfie