Hogan - closing clubface

[Mike O]

Pistol wrote in another thread-: "And while you are digging there can you go in to great detail for me as to how Hogan squared the clubface to the arc relatively early in his downswing and believe me there is some great photos out there that will prove this. Since he got the club "laid off" and open relative to the plane at the top if he just Pulled the club what would happen??"

This is my personal interpretation of what happened to Hogan's clubface at the end-backswing and early downswing.

I believe that Hogan's clubface was frequently slightly open at the end-backswing position, and I think that the main cause was his tendency to cup his left wrist at the end-backswing, which caused the clubshaft to slightly cross the line ( and point right-of-parallel), and also caused the clubface to open.

Here is a photo-example.



Image 1 shows that Hogan's club is slightly beyond parallel at the end-backswing, and pointing slightly to the right of target. I believe that he often ended up in that position because he had ultra-flexible wrists, that allowed his left wrist to upcock (radially deviate) >90 degrees at the end-backswing position. That large degree of radial deviation of his left wrist also caused some dorsiflexion of his left wrist so that his left wrist was slightly cupped at the end-backswing position, which caused his clubface to become slightly open. At the same time, his bent right wrist developed a small degree of radial deviation (upcocking).

I believed that Hogan closed his clubface at the very start of the downswing, so that it became neutral to the clubhead swingarc, by starting his downswing with a very assertive hip shift-rotation movement. That lower body movement caused his clubshaft to fall back/shallow-out, thereby flattening his left wrist - see image 2. When his left wrist became flat, then his clubface became neutral to the swingarc.

Interestingly, Jim Hardy claims that Hogan closed his clubface in the early downswing by means of a counterclockwise rotation of his left arm, that caused his right forearm to "twist and throw" the clubface into a closed position, and that also caused his right elbow to end up behind the right hip, instead of in-front of the right hip, in the mid-downwsing. However, I can see no evidence of any left arm counterclockwise rotation in image 2 or image 3, and no evidence to support Jim Hardy's belief that Hogan used an active right forearm "twist-and-throw" maneuver in his early downswing.

Here is another image demonstrating how Hogan shallowed his clubshaft at the start of the downswing and flattened his left wrist.



Image 1 show Hogan at the end-backswing and he has a slightly cupped left wrist. At the start of the downswing, he starts the downswing with a lower body pelvic shift-rotation movement (hip squaring action) that shallows his clubshaft and causes the clubhead to move backwards (away from the ball-target line) and that also flattens his left wrist. When his left wrist flattens, it automatically closes the clubface to the swingarc.

Here is a third image which clearly shows Hogan's clubface closing slightly at the very start of the downswing.



Image 1 shows that Hogan had a slightly cupped left wrist and a clubshaft that was slightly right-of-parallel at the end-backswing. That predisposes to a slightly open clubface. Image 2 shows Hogan at the very start of the downswing, and one can see his flat left wrist and see that his clubface is now parallel to the back of his flat left wrist, which means that it is neutral to the swingarc.

Jim McLean in his DVD series on Hogan's swing claims that Hogan kept his left wrist cupped in the downswing and he supplies visual evidence.



Image 1 is a close-up of Hogan's cupped left wrist when he is in a mid-downswing position. Image 2,3, 4 shows an early-Hogan sequence demonstrating the same phenomenon - maintaining a cupped left wrist in the downswing and an open clubface. I don't know whether this phenomenon was a feature of Hogan's early swingstyle or whether Hogan selectively kept his left wrist cupped during the downswing at certain times for a particular purpose. I am interested in informed opinions regarding this issue.

My opinions are always open to modification if forum members can provide alternative opinions supported by solid "evidence".

Jeff.

Jeff or anyone else,
I'd be interested if someone could clearly clarify for me what is meant by open and closed in relation to the swing arc. If at impact the left wrist is cupped then the face closes. If at impact the left wrist is arched the face is open. So how does the left wrist moving from cupped to flat at the top of the swing- create a closing motion of th clubface? Never understood this and I have never heard a reasonable explanation- look forward to understanding your perspective.

[Dariusz J.]

Jeff or anyone else,
I'd be interested if someone could clearly clarify for me what is meant by open and closed in relation to the swing arc. If at impact the left wrist is cupped then the face closes. If at impact the left wrist is arched the face is open. So how does the left wrist moving from cupped to flat at the top of the swing- create a closing motion of th clubface? Never understood this and I have never heard a reasonable explanation- look forward to understanding your perspective.

Mike, a square-to-the-arc clubhead means that the clubface is perpendicular to the swing arc. The forearm rotation clockwise during backswing opens the clubface in relation to the arc; the same rotation but anti-clockwise brings it to the square position during downswing and closes it in the follow through.
Now, depending on the release type, some golfers brings the clubface square earlier and some later just before impact. The same may happen after impact - some golfers maintain the clubface square after impact (those who swing left with a late swivel) and some close it rapidly just after impact together with a crossover of their forearms (early swivel).
Hogan delivered his clubface square already before entering the impact zone and maintained it square long after impact what is one of very suspected "culprits" of his overhuman accuracy and repeatability.

Cheers

[Mike O]

Mike, a square-to-the-arc clubhead means that the clubface is perpendicular to the swing arc. The forearm rotation clockwise during backswing opens the clubface in relation to the arc; the same rotation but anti-clockwise brings it to the square position during downswing and closes it in the follow through.
Now, depending on the release type, some golfers brings the clubface square earlier and some later just before impact. The same may happen after impact - some golfers maintain the clubface square after impact (those who swing left with a late swivel) and some close it rapidly just after impact together with a crossover of their forearms (early swivel).
Hogan delivered his clubface square already before entering the impact zone and maintained it square long after impact what is one of very suspected "culprits" of his overhuman accuracy and repeatability.

Cheers

Thanks for your post- you described the concept of square well enough for me to grasp it. Obviously, I'm assuming that when we say "clubface square to the arc" we mean the leading edge (as clubface loft would create a whole different set of problems). Also, if as you describe- that before, during and after Hogan's impact his leading edge was square to the arc- then we are merely saying that he had (in TGM terms) angled hinging- correct? (Since during impact I imagine angled hinging as having the leading edge staying square to the arc.)
Horizontal hinging and vertical hinging would only have one point where the leading edge is square to the arc through the impact period. So given your post you're implying that angled hinging has a superior accuracy and repeatability- which doesn't make sense to me. Food for thought!

[Jeff]

Mike

I think that you are correct to bring up the issue as to whether the clubface being square to the arc during the immediate post-impact period represents angled hinging. I would agree with you on this point. Do you also think that the clubface remains square to the clubhead arc for the entire duration of the followthrough, until the finish swivel action commences? I also presume that the timing of the beginning of the finish swivel action (and therefore the duration of the followthrough phase of the swing) varies from golfer-to-golfer. Do you think that Hogan had a followthrough phase that was shorter, or longer, than usual?

Finally, Dariusz also wrote-: "Hogan delivered his clubface square already before entering the impact zone and maintained it square long after impact what is one of very suspected "culprits" of his overhuman accuracy and repeatability."

That sentence implies that Hogan's clubface was square to the clubhead arc well before impact. Surely, that cannot be true with respect to TGM teaching, which implies that the clubface must be slightly open at the time of first ball contact, and square at the exact moment of ball-clubface separation for the ball to go straight? That TGM concept means that the clubface must approach the ball with an open clubface in the few inches prior to impact, and that it cannot already be square to the clubhead arc before entering the impact zone. What do you think?

Finally, in terms of hitting the ball consistently/reliably straight, is there evidence that horizontal hinging is better/worse than angled hinging (ignoring the fact that horizontal hinging predisposes to a draw at the end of its straight ball flight, while angled hinging predisposes to a fade at the end of its straight ball flight)?

Jeff.

[Mike O]

Mike

I think that you are correct to bring up the issue as to whether the clubface being square to the arc during the immediate post-impact period represents angled hinging. I would agree with you on this point. Do you also think that the clubface remains square to the clubhead arc for the entire duration of the followthrough, until the finish swivel action commences? A) your still assuming angled hinging and not horizontal and vertical and B) I would say depends - anything is possible- so doesn't have to. I also presume that the timing of the beginning of the finish swivel action (and therefore the duration of the followthrough phase of the swing) varies from golfer-to-golfer. Do you think that Hogan had a followthrough phase that was shorter, or longer, than usual? A) varies from golfer to golfer and B) it's that point where the hands get opposite the middle of the chest - where both arms are straight- so depends on the relative amount of pivot rotation in relation to arm movement.
Finally, Dariusz also wrote-: "Hogan delivered his clubface square already before entering the impact zone and maintained it square long after impact what is one of very suspected "culprits" of his overhuman accuracy and repeatability."

That sentence implies that Hogan's clubface was square to the clubhead arc well before impact. Surely, that cannot be true with respect to TGM teaching, which implies that the clubface must be slightly open at the time of first ball contact, and square at the exact moment of ball-clubface separation for the ball to go straight? That TGM concept means that the clubface must approach the ball with an open clubface in the few inches prior to impact, and that it cannot already be square to the clubhead arc before entering the impact zone. What do you think? Depends on the type of hinging being used- I wouldn't see it as a problem or anti TGM.
Finally, in terms of hitting the ball consistently/reliably straight, is there evidence that horizontal hinging is better/worse than angled hinging NO (ignoring the fact that horizontal hinging predisposes to a draw at the end of its straight ball flight, while angled hinging predisposes to a fade at the end of its straight ball flight)? Horizontal hinging does not predispose to a draw.
Jeff.

My quick comments above- too tired to post more now.

[Dariusz J.]

Mike


Finally, Dariusz also wrote-: "Hogan delivered his clubface square already before entering the impact zone and maintained it square long after impact what is one of very suspected "culprits" of his overhuman accuracy and repeatability."

That sentence implies that Hogan's clubface was square to the clubhead arc well before impact. Surely, that cannot be true with respect to TGM teaching, which implies that the clubface must be slightly open at the time of first ball contact, and square at the exact moment of ball-clubface separation for the ball to go straight? That TGM concept means that the clubface must approach the ball with an open clubface in the few inches prior to impact, and that it cannot already be square to the clubhead arc before entering the impact zone.

Jeff.

Jeff, my friend, you need to understand one basic thing - when a clubface is moving squarely to the swing arc it will be very very sligtly open in relation to the ball (or to the target line) at first contact, because the swing arc goes like this. I am surprised you thought that square-to-the arc means a square to the target line position at impact. The swing arc goes from inside to the inside and the ball is lying in front of you.
Thus, it is not against any teaching principles (I do hope also not against TGM principles) because it would mean that such teaching principles ought to be changed as soon as possible.

As regards your other post - my old and fat body has a lot of physical limitations as well. However, I can verify if I can be more consistant (on my level of playing) with one swing concept comparing to the other.
Thus, I do not see any reasons why you should resist to dig in the real dirt, not only in the dirt from the library.

Cheers

[Jeff]

Mike - thanks for replying.

Let's examine this issue of the clubface's relationship to the clubhead swingarc more closely.

Here is a photo of Vijah Singh at impact.



One can see that his left wrist is flat and that the back of his left hand is facing the target. Note that the clubshaft has forward shaft at lean at impact and that is has not yet reached its low point (when it should be vertical to the ground). So, the question becomes - where will the clubface, and the back of the left hand, be facing at the club's low point?

I presume that you agree that a neutral grip will mean that the back of the left hand is parallel to the lower edge of the clubface (or lower clubface grooves if the lower clubface edge is rounded) - as demonstrated by Brian Manzella in this photo from an article that he wrote.



Thirdly, I will presume that you agree that all clubs have a slight degree of hookface-offset built into the club.

OK. So, consider my argument. Here is a diagram showing the movement, and orientation, of the clubface through the impact zone.



The green curved line represents the clubhead arc (as seen by a golfer - when viewed from above). The dotted orange line represents the ball-target line and the intended direction of ball flight of a straight shot. The red dot represents the ball. The blue lines represent the clubshaft and its offset hook-faced clubface.

Let's presume that the low point of the clubhead arc (and therefore deepeset part of the divot) is 4" ahead of the ball position.

Point 1 is a representation of the clubface approaching the ball with a slightly open clubface. At this point, there is forward clubshaft lean because the clubhead has not reached its low point, and the hosel of the clubshaft is still moving downwards and outwards and forwards. At this point. the clubface is slightly open to the ball-target line, and also minimally open to the clubhead arc of travel.

Point 2 is the time-point of ball-clubface separation. If the ball remains in contact with the clubface for approximately 4/1,000th of a second, then the clubface will travel about 0.88" further (from the point of first ball contact) before ball-clubface separation happens. At this time-point, the clubface needs to be square to the ball-target line for the ball to go straight towards the target. However, the clubface will not necessarily be perfectly square to the clubhead arc at this time-point - because it presumably depends on the amount of hook-face offset built into the club.

Point 3 is the low point of the clubhead arc, and it is 4" ahead of point 1 (as measured linearly along the ground). It is at this point on the clubhead arc, that the hosel of the clubshaft is going to start moving forwards, upwards and inwards. At this time point, the clubshaft must be vertical to the ground, and if it is vertical to the ground, and the club has a hook-faced offset clubface, then surely the clubface must be slightly closed to the clubhead arc at this time-point. That also means that the back of the left hand must be facing slightly left of the target at the low point of the clubhead arc (if it was facing the target at impact).

After point 3 (during the followthrough phase of the swing), the clubface will surely become even more closed to the clubhead arc, and the back of the left hand will face even more leftwards relative to the target) if the golfer is using horizontal hinging, and not closed to the clubhead arc if the golfer deliberately uses angled hinging.

Finally, regarding the "fact" that horizontal hinging predisposes to a straight ball flight with a tendency to fall to the left at the end of its ball flight - I got that perception from Tom Tomasello's swing video lessons in the gallery. He demonstrated that the ball tends to roll to the left after landing when using horizontal hinging, while the ball tends to roll to the right when using angled hinging. I have presumed that the end of the ball flight is not straight (even if the clubface is square to the target at the time of ball-clubface separation) due to draw spin imparted by horizontal hinging, and slice spin imparted by angled hinging. Am I wrong?

Dariusz

You wrote-: "angle hinging (that means keeping the clubface square to the arc) brings more repeatability and consistency because it may eliminate (or better said, may limit) the timing issues and subdue the clubhead motion to the pivot much better."

First of all, angled hinging only keeps the clubface square to the clubhead arc after impact, and not pre-impact (during the release swivel phase of the swing). Secondly, from a swinger's perspective, horizontal hinging can be perceived to be the more natural hinging action, while angled hinging requires an additional deliberate effort (to keep the clubface square to the inclined plane and clubhead arc) during the followthrough. Therefore, I could imagine a person rationally arguing that a horizontal hinging action will be a more consistent/reliable hinging action for a swinger (while angled hinging is more natural for a hitter).

You also wrote-: "I am surprised you thought that square-to-the arc means a square to the target line position at impact." I didn't make that mistake! See my post to Mike above.

Finally, although I enjoy "digging dirt" in the library, I also go to my local golf practice facility 2-3x per week for 3-4 hour sessions of "digging in the dirt" Hogan-style.

Jeff.

[Dariusz J.]

Dariusz

You wrote-: "angle hinging (that means keeping the clubface square to the arc) brings more repeatability and consistency because it may eliminate (or better said, may limit) the timing issues and subdue the clubhead motion to the pivot much better."

First of all, angled hinging only keeps the clubface square to the clubhead arc after impact, and not pre-impact (during the release swivel phase of the swing). Secondly, from a swinger's perspective, horizontal hinging can be perceived to be the more natural hinging action, while angled hinging requires an additional deliberate effort (to keep the clubface square to the inclined plane and clubhead arc) during the followthrough. Therefore, I could imagine a person rationally arguing that a horizontal hinging action will be a more consistent/reliable hinging action for a swinger (while angled hinging is more natural for a hitter).

You also wrote-: "I am surprised you thought that square-to-the arc means a square to the target line position at impact." I didn't make that mistake! See my post to Mike above.

Finally, although I enjoy "digging dirt" in the library, I also go to my local golf practice facility 2-3x per week for 3-4 hour sessions of "digging in the dirt" Hogan-style.

Jeff.

That's great to hear that you practice, Jeff ! next time try Tomasello's concept and swing with a dominant right arm throwing out and down and report your feelings. I am anxious to hear your OBJECTIVE opinion after.

OK, I am not familiar with TGM language that much and if angled hinging means a square-to-the-arc clubface ONLY after impact, it's not the same as the concept of having the clubface square during the whole impact zone (i.e. pre-impact part as well). However, I have a feeling (please correct me if I am wrong) that a person who tends to use angled hinging post-impact, must square the clubhead earlier before impact as well. Common sense tells us so.
Ah, one more thing - for a slight moment in time, do not think in swingers/hitters category and admit what scenario minimizes timing issues more.

BTW, why do you think that all clubs have so strong offset clubfaces ? Remember that Hogan's clubs not only were with zero offset but also bent open a few degrees. Consider the same diagramme without offset factor and you'll see the difference.
Moreover, in a perfect scenario of a rotary swing motion in-to-in, the divot will be slightly curving left, showing exactly the way the swing arc is going, not because the clubhead is already closed or in a process of closing, but just because it remains square-to-the-arc.

Cheers

[Mike O]

I presume that you agree that a neutral grip will mean that the back of the left hand is parallel to the lower edge of the clubface (or lower clubface grooves if the lower clubface edge is rounded) - as demonstrated by Brian Manzella in this photo from an article that he wrote.





Jeff.

Jeff,
I don't have the energy lately to post in detail on a lot of these subjects. You are usually pretty thorough about analyzing golf data. In regards to the photo above- the two yellow lines are parallel to each other - but do you really think that each one represents what it is suppose to represent? I see the leading edge or the equivalent score lines as not lining up with the yellow line. Also, likewise I don't see the yellow line representing the true angle of the left arm? Just camera angles etc. - obviously if someone wants to grip the way he describes it they certainly could.

Regardless of all the details - that is a really weak grip. It appears that Brian Manzella via reading the linked article that you provided has derived that grip by associating it with Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods, Sam Snead etc. and he has made that determination by noting that at the top of their swings the left wrist matches the angle of the leading edge of the clubface. All I can think of - there must be some poor measurements that were taken to come to that conclusion. To think that Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer had a flat left wrist and leading edge of the clubface that faced the target only at lowpoint- you're kidding me right? Arnold Palmer!? YOU'RE KIDDING ME right?

[Dariusz J.]

Thanks for your post- you described the concept of square well enough for me to grasp it. Obviously, I'm assuming that when we say "clubface square to the arc" we mean the leading edge (as clubface loft would create a whole different set of problems). Also, if as you describe- that before, during and after Hogan's impact his leading edge was square to the arc- then we are merely saying that he had (in TGM terms) angled hinging- correct? (Since during impact I imagine angled hinging as having the leading edge staying square to the arc.)
Horizontal hinging and vertical hinging would only have one point where the leading edge is square to the arc through the impact period. So given your post you're implying that angled hinging has a superior accuracy and repeatability- which doesn't make sense to me. Food for thought!

Mike, thanks for your post.

I can only say one crucial thing for your consideration - as you TGMers call it - angle hinging (that means keeping the clubface square to the arc) brings more repeatability and consistency because it may eliminate (or better said, may limit) the timing issues and subdue the clubhead motion to the pivot much better.
Imagine this - your body is "equipped" with four distal parts - your legs and your arms. Let's concentrate on arms now - if the arm/forearm/wrist/hand action during the short period of impact zone is independent on the body pivot it must bring timing issues into play much more. Therefore, any of players using Henry Cotton's crossover release or your TGM horizontal hinging (i.e. when the toe passes rapidly the heel at impact) must recon on a good timing much more than a golfer with a square-to-the-arc clubface in the impact zone.

Cheers