The holy grail of golf is something like the holy communion of the catholics. Holy communion with the catholics means one has to go to confession first before one can go and partake of the holy communion. One needs to be cleanse of sins and be worthy to receive the host - or holy communion. Without the preparation and worthiness, the communion or the host cannot be taken. Same thing for the holy grail of golf, one cannot partake if one is not prepared to receive it.
So what is really the holy grail of golf? Is it the knees that Hogan once mentioned was his secret? Maybe it is. One can argue a lot about it being the holy grail of golf. But like the real Holy Grail, it may always end up as a big debate. One thing is clear in my golf development is that the knees are really a major factor of my success. However, thinking back and relating to all I know now, I would say that the big secret in golf is learning how to hit the golf ball with the body. This is a concept that is highly debatable and it so vauge to be an end by itself. So, although I know it is not, I will say that we should stick with the knees for now as the holy grail of golf. But for those who really are looking for the occult, try sifting through my blog and feel the commonality of all.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Thursday, November 03, 2005
The Knees and why they are important
Now that we have intentionally forgotten the mechanics of the golf swing, it is time to concentrate on the next level, the knees. What do you really do with the knees? Why are they important?
First, in our journey, and I hope you are with me now, we intentionally have forgotten the "how to" of the golf swing. It has been said that the ultimate in the perfection of skill is the absence of awareness of how one's skill is executed. At this stage of my golf skill development, I have not fully forgotten the "how to's" but have expoused the active involvement of the knees. Somebody said that the knees are the secret of Ben Hogan. If Hogan at his prime still thinks of the knees, then I intend to do the same. Now that I employ the knees, I would say that I have arrived! My golf quest is done, I have found the Holy Grail of golf!
Having said that, what do I mean by the knees? Well now I just imagine that I hit the ball with my knees. In my mind, when executing the golf swing, there is a connection of the ball and the knees.
At the setup and while the my eyes are focused on the "entire" ball, I start my swing with the forward press of the right knee. In my mind my right knee squeezes the ball. The forward press can be a real bending of the knee to the left but now I just feel my right leg muscles tightening up. This forward press can be a personal preference and may be ommited if desired. As for me, without it, I cannot consistently start the golf swing the same way. One has to experiment and find out himself.
Immediately after the forward press, the left knee takes over. In my mind, I find my left knee sliding left to right across the ball and as far as my knees can do it. I firmly believe that in golf, a full turn and a full cock is extremelly important. Depending on the degree, in the absence of a full turn, a shank can happen, shots are not caught flush on the club face, and ball direction strays to the right. By sliding the right knee to the right, it pulls the left waist in, ultimately the left shoulder in, the left hand cocks the club, and so forth. That is how important that left knee slide is. So without the left knee going to the right as much as possible, the other body parts are restricted and the golf swing suffers.
After the left knee sets you up to the top, the right knee takes over. Still looking at the entire ball, slide the right knee from right to left across the ball. Like the left knee, you can do this a far as you want. The sliding of the right knee ensures that you end up in the reverse-C position. With this move, it guarrantees that you will not end up with the weight falling backwards. You will look like a pro. The sliding right knee, most importantly, straightens your ball flight - for without it, you may tend to go around the ball which will cause a pull or a hook.
Now that you know the mechanics of the knees, you can use it to limber up before your first shot of the day. With the knees, start swinging the driver back and forth, left knee, right knee, again, again - longer and longer until you have fully flexed the muscles. By the way, you will notice that by doing this, your club and arms have followed a pattern. Hogan calls this the golf plane!
First, in our journey, and I hope you are with me now, we intentionally have forgotten the "how to" of the golf swing. It has been said that the ultimate in the perfection of skill is the absence of awareness of how one's skill is executed. At this stage of my golf skill development, I have not fully forgotten the "how to's" but have expoused the active involvement of the knees. Somebody said that the knees are the secret of Ben Hogan. If Hogan at his prime still thinks of the knees, then I intend to do the same. Now that I employ the knees, I would say that I have arrived! My golf quest is done, I have found the Holy Grail of golf!
Having said that, what do I mean by the knees? Well now I just imagine that I hit the ball with my knees. In my mind, when executing the golf swing, there is a connection of the ball and the knees.
At the setup and while the my eyes are focused on the "entire" ball, I start my swing with the forward press of the right knee. In my mind my right knee squeezes the ball. The forward press can be a real bending of the knee to the left but now I just feel my right leg muscles tightening up. This forward press can be a personal preference and may be ommited if desired. As for me, without it, I cannot consistently start the golf swing the same way. One has to experiment and find out himself.
Immediately after the forward press, the left knee takes over. In my mind, I find my left knee sliding left to right across the ball and as far as my knees can do it. I firmly believe that in golf, a full turn and a full cock is extremelly important. Depending on the degree, in the absence of a full turn, a shank can happen, shots are not caught flush on the club face, and ball direction strays to the right. By sliding the right knee to the right, it pulls the left waist in, ultimately the left shoulder in, the left hand cocks the club, and so forth. That is how important that left knee slide is. So without the left knee going to the right as much as possible, the other body parts are restricted and the golf swing suffers.
After the left knee sets you up to the top, the right knee takes over. Still looking at the entire ball, slide the right knee from right to left across the ball. Like the left knee, you can do this a far as you want. The sliding of the right knee ensures that you end up in the reverse-C position. With this move, it guarrantees that you will not end up with the weight falling backwards. You will look like a pro. The sliding right knee, most importantly, straightens your ball flight - for without it, you may tend to go around the ball which will cause a pull or a hook.
Now that you know the mechanics of the knees, you can use it to limber up before your first shot of the day. With the knees, start swinging the driver back and forth, left knee, right knee, again, again - longer and longer until you have fully flexed the muscles. By the way, you will notice that by doing this, your club and arms have followed a pattern. Hogan calls this the golf plane!
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