The Delayed Hit or How I Found My Golf Swing

30JUL2012:  I have finally admitted that I have to end my quest and accept what I have learned so far.

1. The right hand grip - on the back swing.
1. The right hand breaks backwards from the wrist, Ala Norman.  The is the reverse of Hogan's cusp left hand. On the hardware side, it is akin to the offset club head design.
2. The right hand grip, the way it is positioned on the shaft (imagine a clock face with the shaft as the middle), it could be an upright swing or not (upright is meant to dig down). Upright is when the backhand is facing more upwards vs. parallel to the ground.
3. The right hand starts the backward swing. 22Aug2012:  The right hand does not flip the club any longer.  With Tiger swing, the right wrist merely starts the club moving at the desired plane. See other parts below.
4. 29Sep2012:  It is imperative that the weight of the club is deliberately felt from the start of the back swing until it reaches the top.  The objective is to make the shoulders feel the weight set so it will become instinctive for it to come down to the ball on the forward swing. 01Oct2012: This is when the "Alive" grip comes into play.  The alive grip ensures that the L position of the club in relation to the arms are maintained.  The L position prevents toe-shanks. At the same time, it ensures that the club swings easily around and away from the arms at the onset and creates that centrifugal-force weight that the shoulders "feel" when the shoulders, at the start of the back swing, pushes up the club.  This "Alive" grip is very essential for the short irons - if not mandatory. 03oct2012:  In addition, an extra twist by the shoulders at the top encourages and promotes an almost mechanical and automatic back swing.
5. 06Oct2012:  I firmly believe - although not yet proven - is the grip when it is solidly one fully molded grip is the key to an extreme repetitive swing where the ball land pretty much on the same place.
2. The left shoulder
1. At the top of the right hand swing, the left shoulder provides a further twist to the upper body. 22Aug2012:  The "deliberate" left shoulder controls all the parts of the swing.  The left wrists slowly starts the club to travel along the desired plane.  The left shoulder deliberately pushes it towards the plane and at the end (could be quarter, half, full) there is a deliberate twist to ready the swing for the downswing. 24Aug2012:  The shoulder twist is better imagined as a propeller (helicopter) twist since the Tiger forward swing is like a propeller in reverse.  Also, in a real game yesterday, it became obvious that I was twisting the shoulder superbly but having a problem doing the Tiger downswing.  This visualization should cure it as found out in Quest today.
2. Enough twist to start the forward swing. 20Aug2012:  Just enough twist is not enough.  Extreme twist is necessary to be able to execute Tiger's downswing and be able to "drop" the club to the ball. 22Aug2012:  Read no. 1 above.  03oct2012:  An extra twist by the shoulders at the top encourages and promotes an almost mechanical and automatic back swing. 
3. The weight finishes on the left side
1. Automatic forward motion created by the left shoulder twist.  21Aug2012: With the extreme twist, the frozen "top" of body and arms (arms are a passive passenger) can be twisted back and around.  If correctly executed, a feeling and realization of the arms and club are dropping towards the ball - and on a fleeting moment before the ball is hit, the hands can impart a fleeting "hit". 
2. The objective should be a picture-perfect finish. 11Sep2012:  Sometimes it is hard to imagine the propeller as the back swing and forward swing thought.  Just imagining myself as "confident first class" golfer where I finished on my left side - is much easier.
3. All weight on the left foot... at least for a moment at the finish of the swing.
4. 22Aug2012:  The left shoulder is solid with the arms and club.  There is a deliberate "oneness" feeling that the left shoulder carried the arms/club up, coiled tighter, and automatically turns around - without any conscious effort by the arms and hands.
4. The back-spin
1. Try learning the pitch and brake ball and one can say he knows how to execute the delayed hit. 30JUL2012:  Right now as I know it, it is the right hand bringing the club upward and the left shoulder twisting it backwards.  The shoulders afterward does the hitting.
2. 24JUL2012:  Just transfer the weight to the left foot on the start of the downswing.  It makes it easy after that.  30JUL2012:  Found out that this becomes automatic afterwards.  See no. 3 above. 
3. 20SEP2012:  Finally found the secret of stopping the ball, i.e., putting a lot of back spin on the golf ball.  It is the clasped fists that pulls the club like a nun chuck.  The wrists functions the same way as a full shot but braking pitches and chips are done this way.  
4. Also, combined with the full shot, this should put a back spin on the irons.  In addition, this actions should put extra distance to the ball.  This is what you can call double delayed shot!
5. The Flop Shot (started 17Oct2012)
1. The secret to the flop shot is the extreme high plane - brought about by the right hand cocked for the 1-o'clock position.
2. The hit is the usual delayed hit - or the hockey hit.  
6. The Hockey Stick Swipe  (started 17Oct2012)
1. This is the same delayed hit that I explained above but I will call it from now on as the Hockey stick swipe.
2. The right hand starts the backward swing. The right hand does not flip the club any longer but the turn of the shoulders makes the hit - like a hockey stick shot. 

Summary of the above with emphasis on the importance of my fundamentals of Golf.  All must be executed for the swing to be effective.

1. The L-shape and leg flex at ball address. 
1. The arms are perpendicular to the ground
2. The L-position (almost) is employed where the club and the arms almost appear to be like the letter "L". 
3. The alive grip is employed.
4. This prevents toe-shanks.
5. Encourages as sweet-spot hit.
6. 18Nov2012:  Learn to straighten the legs at set-up so that:
1. one does not top the ball
2. create a deeper divot.
2. The correct Cock of the right hand and it's position at ball address
1. Hold the right hand palm perpendicular to the ground.
2. Bring back the hand by naturally breaking the wrist backward.
3. This is the motion on how to cock the club - not upward, but a natural backward break of the wrist.
3. The right hand grip position
1. Employ usual instructions found in most golf books.  In addition...
2. Visualize the grip as the face of the clock - with the butt of the club as the center of the clock.
3. The back of the right hand must be placed usually between 12 o'clock to 3 o'clock with approximately 1 o'clock creating the steepest plane and 3 o'clock as the shallowest (like Hogan) plane.
4. From that position you can initialized the swing with the Cocking method as described in no. 2.
5. Of course, the shoulders then follow to finish the back swing.
6. This is very important since this varies during the game, depending on the shot necessary.
1. flops require steep upward and downward moves necessitating a steep plane
2. High or low trajectory shots are controlled by this - you can control this by varying the right hand position of the grip at address.
4. The Hockey stick hit
1. Take the hammer method out.  Forget it.  Throw it out the window.
2. The right hand is not needed for the downswing.  Just rely on the automatic recoil produce by the muscles.
3. When the back swing (see no. 3 above) is executed and the club is at the top, the hit is performed like a hockey stick hit.  The shoulders swings around the hockey stick (golf club) and swipes the ball with the club head. That is it!
4. 05Nov2012:  One very important thing to remember is the Hockey stick hit is a transitional phase and not the final learning objective.  It is should last for a few months until the hit becomes part of muscle memory.  When this is achieved, the next to final phase must be learning to pull the club to the ball.  See the next item.
5. 05Nov2012:  After the hockey stick, then what? Learn to flail the golf club.
1. This is swing another technique that a golfer has to know.  It is like in billiards or pool, you need to learn how to execute a "follow" shot and at the same time know how to execute a "reverse" shot.
2. Instruction books have called this phase several symbolic comparisons, such as, nun-chuck, bull whip, or a flail.
3. Flail:  a hand threshing implement consisting of a wooden handle at the end of which a stouter and shorter stick is so hung as to swing freely.
4. How to flail:  to move, swing, or beat as if wielding a flail.
6. 05Nov2012:  Last phase - let the right should twist to the fullest.

Amen.  This is it. My lifelong quest finished. No more hunting for the elusive perfect swing.  It is time to rest and enjoy the game.

Simplify, simplify, simplify

1. Fulcrum lift
2. Twist
3. Un-twist

Fulcrum lift

Fulcrum lift refers to the way the club is brought up during the back swing.  This is really the execution side of the alive grip.  From the alive position of the hands, the right middle finger pulls the club while the left hand pad pushes down.  This action will send the club up.  At the top of the swing, the body twist below is started.

Twist

Twist refers to the body twisting at the conclusion of the back swing. There is actually more to this than just twisting the body until the muscles are constricted - and eventually the hips or waist muscles.  It actually culminates when the right hand (in the fulcrum lift above) reaches the maximum cock at the top.  It can be thought of as the point where the right hand gives control to the left arm and wrist.  At this point, the left arm and wrist are stiff and forming an "L" at the top.  The mental awareness transfers from right hand to left hand at this point and then the waist/left hip muscles.  The un-twisting action below follows.

Un-twist

Un-twist is the process of the waist or left hip pulling the body and the arms recoiling to bring the club around and hitting the ball forward.  It can be as simple as this.  However, the stiff left arm and L shaped wrist can be actively guided to hit the ball if desire. This left arm action though is not a requirement.

The un-twist motion is initiated by the waist with the body and arms following but as an automatic recoil.

Is Slo-Mo Shoulder Assist the Secret of the Short Game?

Putting:

1. Read previous instructions on this.
2. Make sure the putter head is laid down on the ground before the back swing.
3. Use the shoulder to "rock open" the putter blade.
4. Make sure this is slowly done backwards.
5. With the shoulders, slowly hit the ball.  When everything is feeling good, the right hand might even be the one left to hit the ball.
6. Make doubly sure that the forward swing is slow, slow enough to be able to know the putter head is coming back the desired way.
7. If not sure of the way the putter will make the "hit", the slow-motion way should ensure that the putting motion can be stopped!
8. Read the instructions previously written about putting and make sure you incorporate these ideas:
1. the putter face opens
2. the shoulders swing is stopped at the point just before the putter face swings around
3. aiming is the golfers responsibility.

Chipping:

1. Employ the "alive" grip.  This part is obligatory.  And the right hand does the needed cocking.
2. Imagine what kind of shot you are going to make and leave the club head open to the desired extent.
3. Make sure the club head is laid down on the ground before the back swing.
4. The right hand starts the fanning of the club and continues to cock - the severity of cocking depending on the height or flight needed by the ball.
5. At the same time, the  shoulder "rocks open" the club head slowly but fully backwards.
6. Again, make sure this is slowly done backwards.
7. Depending on the type of shot needed, the club head can come up high or stay low on the ground.
8. The shoulders slowly rocks back to hit the ball. 
9. Make doubly sure that the forward swing is slow, slow enough to be able to know the club head is coming back the desired way.
10. The right hand initiates the cocking and the shoulder react and then takes over the forward swing to bring the desired shot.
1. the right hand can flip sharp forward to keep the ball low but stop abruptly
2. or, it can stay open to get better height of the flight of the ball.

Pitching:

1. The chipping technique above can be modified for the pitch.
2. Some technique to gauge the distance should be developed.

Important Swing Thoughts or What to Forget When Hitting the Ball

In order of importance:

1. SETUP:
1. The usual stance, etc. - mostly from Hogan.
2. Last, make sure the alive grip is employed.
2. FORGET: 
1. All the rest, like Hogan mentioned as fundamentals of golf are plain mechanics but forgotten during the golf swing execution. 
2. Empty your mind except the following: 
3. TWIST: 
1. Employ the helicopter technique while rotating the shoulders
2. The back swing must be fully executed up to the full cock of the right hand fingers
3. The twisting is fully felt by body muscles. There is a definite muscle "bounce" at the top before the:
4. UNTWIST:  
1. It is the reverse motion of the helicopter rotors
2. After the bounce at the top, shoulders are untwisted back
3. Reminder: The arms and everything else is just part of the mechanics but dropped from consciousness when the downswing is started.
4. There is a deliberate effort to not think of hitting the ball at all - this should not be a part of the downswing.

To Learn the Golf Swing One Must Forget One Half of the Swing

In all the parts of the golf swing, especially on chips and putts, one must forget the forward swing!  Every conscious mental effort must be relegated to the back swing portions of the total golf swing (this includes the mini swings like putting).  This is the common thread to all the types of swing - full shots, pitches, chips and putts.

The Full Swing


Let us start with the full swing.  This is how it is executed. Usual set-up as learned previously.  The novel one is the shoulders twirls like a helicopter blade towards the right with the conscious objective of bouncing it back as it tightens the body.  The bounce is what makes the the helicopter blade go to reverse back towards the left and bounce again at the other end.  The helicopter blade must be tilted along the plane of the swing.  The finish is when the weight is transferred to the left side.

This helicopter turn is made possible because of the "alive" grip.  This type of grip is  mandatory for this technique to work.  An added observation here is the fact that the hit or forward swing is done by the shoulders and not the hands.  The arms and hands and club are just going for the ride.  19Jul2011: However, the Hogan tied up feeling must be included here somewhere - just keep that in mind.

4Aug2011: Cart overturned last week. Shoulder separation, type III. This means no golf for a long time.  However, do not forget that the alive grip includes the club must rest on the ground.  Else, the ball is topped.

The Pitch

This must be the same as the chip but I have to get a more definitive explanation later - once I have tested the pulling technique.

The Chip

The also employs the alive grip where the last three fingers of the left hand holds the club and the right middle finger (due to arthritis, my other finger can no longer grip the club tight) acts as a fulcrum to lift the club.

The left hand executes the back swing of the club  head, the length of which must long enough to let the forward motion of the club head be able to reach the target.  The back swing can follow any path without regard to the plane, the objective is to be able to execute the type of shot needed, e.g., high, low, quick stopping, lob etc.  Here is the secret here - the forward swing is not done at all - the right hand just throws the whole club to the target.  The club head is not swung at all - except it is just a reaction to the throwing motion of the right hand.  By the way, the length of the swing is varied by the speed and motion of the right hand.

The Putt

This is essentially a mini chip.  When the target line has been seen, the putter is just brought back by the left hand (correction: not the left hand but the left shoulder) - sort of "thrown" and opening like a baseball bat (AJ instruction).  The forward motion again done by the right hand (while trying to keep the left shoulder stationary) by pushing the grip of the putter back towards the hole. The blade of the putter is not manipulated at all.  It is just brought back by the "throwing" motion of the right hand.

Like in all three, the alive grip is also employed here.  The reason is to connect the right hand and putter blade together - same as in all of the above.  The length of the putt is controlled by the right hand! 


Connection between right hand and the left shoulder:


While holding the putter, try swinging with your left hand the putter and and then with the right hand, then back and forth.  Did you notice the left hand instinctively opens and the right hand closes - sort of fanning the putter face back and forth?  Now tilt your shoulders a little to the right and do it again - did you notice that the right hand closes the fanning better?

This is what happens to the putter - why it is important to bring the putter back with the left shoulder - to make it easy for the right hand to fan back the putter head to the correct line.  Conversely, when one "looks up", the right hand does not have that extra distance to fan back the putter before the ball is hit and, therefore, pushes the ball right of the target.

Conclusion

The common denominator in all type of the swing is the fact that the club head or putter blade is not manipulated by the hands.  Rather, it is always pulled by another part of the body - shoulders, hands.  Much later, it may be found out that other part of the body may better pull the club - the absolute must is the club or club head or blade putter must be pulled giving a pendulum effect - rather than a direct force, e.g., hammer blow.  Also, do not forget the fanning effect of the right hand... employ this where possible... imperative for putting and chipping for the hole.

Hogan's Secret Uncovered

Lately, I developed a putting style that became so scary because I was so accurate and deadly.  It goes like this (main points only):

1. I set up, move the putter back with the left shoulder (left hand carrying the weight of the putter) and letting the face open as the head goes back.
2. Then on the forward motion, the head and shoulders do not turn back while the right hand whips back closing the putter head back to the ball.

What happens?  The ball goes directly true to the target line.

Well, today I applied the 1-2 principle to the full golf swing.  I went like this:

1. (The mind thinks of the swinging the club around to the top only, until the left hand cocks) Set up with the alive grip, three left fingers in control and the two right middle fingers cradling the club like a fulcrum.  Push the club with the left shoulders around to the top and letting the club fully cock while letting the body twist as much as possible.
2. From the top, do a "violent" twist around without stopping for the ball - just around.  Let everything happen naturally.  This is a full momentum swing.  Viola! Discovery of the Swing - or Hogan's secret!
3. Remember Rory McElroy when executing this swing.  It is pure wind and unwind swing - deliberately forgetting the ball!
4. The execution of the alive grip is not only important but a necessity and an integral part of this method.  Specifically, what is essential is the right finger fulcrum.  Before starting the left shoulder (the one that starts the backswing) pushes towards the clubhead, the club must be in a state of "balance" or alive.  This ensures that the clubhead is automatically cocked (all full shots - short iron and up to the driver needs cocking). 17Apr2011.
5. Another technique which may not be essential as no. 4 above is as mentioned in number 1 is how to make the "push" of the club by the left shoulder "EASY".  Well, if one will align the club shaft and the left arm in a straight line (essentially putting the club shaft off-perfendicular and slightly pointed to the right) - pushing will then be pointed already going to the right (vs. the club perpenpedicular to the target line)

The golf unification secret - Left and then right!

(make sure you read the progression of changes (shown by dates) to the original thesis)

ACTUALLY, THE SECRET OF THE SWING IS THE LEFT WRIST FLICKING THE CLUB UP AND THE SHOULDERS FINISHING THE MOMENTUM THE FULL BACK SWING UP TO SLOT (COILED UPPER BODY IS NECESSARY) WITH THE LEFT ARM KEPT STIFF. THE SHOULDERS AGAIN UNCOILS DOWNWARD AND THE RIGHT HAND/ARM ASSISTING AT IMPACT. One can imagine this as the roped arms of Hogan but that mental picture may let one erroneously conclude that all the three - shoulders, left arm and right arm - are all important but they are not. Only the two, left arm and shoulders are important. IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE ALIVE GRIP IS PERFORMED (FOR EASE OF THE WRIST FLICK ALSO) - MEANING THE FULL COCKING IS NECESSARY. IN OTHER WORDS, THE L ADDRESS OR EARLY COCK IS ESSENTIAL FOR ME. ELSE I SHANK.

Now why is the the golf unification secret? It is because the shoulder turn, the stiff left arm and the right hand assist is the essence of every golf swing - putt, chip, pitch, half swing and full swing.

Let us talk about putting. Once the body has been set up, the only thing to do is perform the "mechanical" move. With a stiff left arm, the shoulders brings the putter back as low as possible. In putting the shoulders do not initiate the hit - it is all right hand bringing the putter face forward. However, it is still shoulders back and right hand hits. TO MAKE THE PUTT HOOK OR GO STRAIGHT (NOT PUSHED), THE BACKSWING SHOULD ALIGN TO THE SHAFT'S PLANE. 11/25/2010: Remember to incorporate the AJ technique (baseball club) - let the face open and right hand slap afterwards.

In chipping, it is exactly like putting. However the shoulders pulls the club forward and the right hand follows and assists.

All the others (pitch, half swing, full swing) is the same except the cocking is done early with the "alive" grip and the shoulders are turned until the upper body is coiled. This coiled feeling is the power behind the golf swing.

11/25/2010: Maximizing spin on chips and pitches? Keeping the club low at back swing and forward swing and apply the AJ technique (still has to proven).

In order to have a standard stroke as I have learned in putting (shoulders first then right hand hits), the right hand must hit also. This is necessary in all shots, chipping up to full shots. However, this is only can be done if the backswing is coiled at the top and the forward swing is initiated by pulling the body towards the ball and the L cock performed. The right hand only comes in just before impact and at the same time the weight is transferred to the left foot. REMEMBER, THE LEFT WRIST FLICK STARTS THE VOYAGE OF THE CLUB WHILE THE ROPED FEELING OF THE CHESTS BRINGS IT UP TO THE DESIRED SLOT. THE ROPED FEELING OF THE CHEST ALSO PULLS THE CLUB BACK AS HARD AS DESIRED TOWARDS THE CLUB AND BEYOND.

16Jun2010: Instead of the flick of the left wrist, use the alive grip to send the club to start the centrifugal force up. It makes is easier to get a full cocking which is needed for a longer ball.

17Jun2010: The secret of the flick is the alive grip alright but it works like this. The right forefinger cradles the club while the left hand pad pushes the club grip downward. At the same time the left shoulder pushes down and around to start the body centrifugal force upwards. I hope I remember the feeling because this explanation is not exact. The shoulders then twist as much as possible and the down stroke is automatic. The chip is in the pudding - the same technique should be followed.

22Jun2010: Alive grip is correct but the one move that is really necessary and needed is the cocking of the club done by pushing the pad and the pulling right hand middle fingers. It is not the grip but the resulting extreme cocked back swing.

23Jun2010: Important Point to learn: arms and hands do not actively work in this type of swing. WARNING: DO NOT USE THE RIGHT HAND TO GAIN DISTANCE. AT THE MOST, USE THE LEFT ARM AND WRIST ONLY. REMEMBER THAT HOGAN IS A NATURAL LEFTY AND HE MAY BE ADVOCATING THE RIGHT HAND USE BUT THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIS RIGHT TO OVER POWER HIS LEFT (LEFT SIDE OR LEFT HAND).

1. How can I stay on my left side after the hit? Of course, uncoil the shoulders towards the ball, moving to the left at the same time.
2. How do can I consistently use my shoulders to uncoil to the ball? Use the shoulders "only" to bring back the club to the top. Start to push the club head with the left shoulder and keep on coiling up to the end.
3. What happens to the cocking of the hands? Using the alive grip at setup, once the left shoulder push starts, start also the left pad push and the right middle fingers pull.
4. Is there a different feeling with this swing? Yes, at the top you will feel coiled and also feel that there is nothing else to do but uncoil to hit the ball. The arms and hands are just pulled by the uncoiling shoulders.

2Jul2010: Tiger Swing

1. Forearms stiff but springy, directly dropping down.
2. Stiff springy wrists forming almost an L with the arms and club
3. Alive grip forming a solid grip - firmly holding the club above the ground. The last three left finger in command.
4. The feeling of the whole body and arms is tight but springy.
5. The left shoulder goes down toward the ball but immediately the focus changes to the left arm tightening the upper body twist along the plane.
6. Weight transfers to the left and the club is pulled along the path of the plane toward and past the ball.
7. Full left side finish.
8. Objective was to have a simple twist back and twist forward. No other mental thought is intended - just pure mechanical action. The body feels like a robot - firm and simple move.
9. If done correctly, the right arm muscles becomes like a wall that stops the club from cocking lamely. There is a strong tightness of the right side muscles which forces the turning of the shoulders more - but the effect on the downswing is brutal. 11/25/2010: Watch out - this may have caused my back pain. Do not try to force this move to stretch the muscle - bad thing to do. MAY EVEN END YOUR GOLFING DAYS!
10. One more thing, when the alive grip is taken, it is forgotten afterwards, only awareness of shoulder turning is left consciously in the mind - the "roped" feeling of the arms is put in automatic mode.
    
11. 25Nov2010: In addition, as learned recently from my vacation at Orlando, incorportate the AJ technique to everything, putting, chipping, pitches and full shots - especially the drives. Take care that you do not over-do the pronation, shoulders must still be aligned with the target line. Try to remember how it is done with putting - a push of the shoulder that opens up the putter head slightly, then the slap of the putter by the right hand back to the ball.
12. AJ technique - let the club open and slap it back. This is the same as Hogan's pronation and supination teaching except Hogan did not emphasize it as AJ. For full shots, the shoulders push the clubhead away, allowing purposely to let the club face to open, and then coming back with the whole weight in the attemp to slap back the ball - AJ style (remember the AJ bat style club?).
13. The grip must be solid - not left hand or right hand domination. The last left three finger must be holding the club. The alive grip employed - left pad pushing down, right middle fingers pulling up.
14. The arms must be tight - forming a roped feeling - together with the L-forming solid alive grip.
15. VERY IMPORTANT - ESPECIALLY FOR 3 WOOD USE. Make sure that the club at the top (even waiting for it is good) is fully cocked by the right middle fingers. This ensures a solid descending hit on the three wood club - else, you top the ball most of the time. It seems that I tend to hit faster and not letting the full cocking happen at the top. Most clubs will allow this but the three wood would not. Further effects of the full cocking should be tested in the future and posted here.
16. Start cocking with the left hand and expect the best swing ever.

Deliberate swing with hips, firm grip and centrifugal force

When swinging by ROTATING the hips, it makes it possible to create a no nonsense swing. Every move by the body and the club is deliberate, nothing wasted that is not planned or anticipated. Basically, what I am trying to say here is the swinging of the club by centrifugal force, started by the ROTATING hips, create (eventually) a deliberate repetitive swing.

What we want to accomplish is the ROTATION done the same every time.

Remember when you set-up, firm grip, firm arms and use the ROTATION of the hips to create the centrifugal force to swing the club up. This swing has been tested in the driving range. 8 iron, 3 wood, driver - all going straight.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT ROTATION OF THE HIPS - TURNING LIKE A CHAIR RIDE IN THE PARK - CREATES THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCE TO SWING THE CLUB AROUND AND UP THE SLOT. THE HIPS IS ROTATED AROUND IN A RHYTHMIC WAY WITH THE FULL INTENTION OF MAKING IT (THE HIPS NOT THE CLUB) BOUNCE BACK! THEN IT BOUNCES BACK ROTATING AGAIN AS FAR AS IT WILL GO WITHOUT REGARD TO WHERE THE BALL IS. IN THE PROCESS THE WEIGHT TRANSFERS BACK TO THE RIGHT FOOT AND BOUNCES FORWARD TO THE LEFT FOOT AND EVENTUALLY STAYS THERE WITH A NICE HIGH FINISH.

4-10-2010: In addition, it is very important that a firm solid grip is employed, with the left three last fingers in command, the left pad pushing the club down using the right two middle fingers as a fulcrum - MENTALLY, the club head is pushed upward by the left hip (as in the previous paragraph) into the slot - UNTIL A FULL COCKING IS ACHIEVED. The downswing is done by the hips but the main thing here is the club is fully held by the hands firmly downwards - in total control at all times. You can test this by going slow motion with the hit - should hit the ball straight. The reason why the hands must be solidly in command is that using the hips as the hitting mechanism, going around with the body should just bring the club head squarely to the ball if it is being held firmly in the same position. Finally, without really writing about it, we are assuming that the arms have that tied up feeling also. It logically must be there to be able to say that the grip is firm.

FEELING: When all is said and about to be done (the swing), it must not be forgotten that the main thing is we are launching the clubhead like a satellite into orbit. More specifically, the feeling must be like bringing up the clubhead like a yoyo up and away until it pulls the hips and can no longer turn. The downward feeling is the reverse, the hips pulling the yoyo down towards the ball and the SMACK - the STIFF left ARM and left THREE FINGER grip and BACKHAND is PULLED by the HIPS towards the ball. This is what is felt and done.

At the end, the main thing to concentrate on is having a full tightened hip turn BACK SWING. Forget the FORWARD swing. It happens AUTOMATICALLY without the need of thinking.

12May2010: In order to get a stronger swing, roll the left foot Clark. To accomplish this, make the stance with the two feet just below the shoulders, like Hogan said. In addition, make sure the weight is on the heels of the both feet - not the balls toward the toes.

18May2010: SOMETHING NEW! The weight on the heels works. Remember this. Also, the extreme "alive" grip works with the heels very well. The two sets up nicely for a stance that becomes like my putting technique - meaning just worry about the heels, bring up the club with the left hip and the extreme "alive" grip (the left pad pushes down, the right middle two fingers pull up) and FINISH the back swing. BUT WAIT, SOMETHING HAPPENED WHILE DOING THIS. THE CLUB AT THE TOP BECAME SO COCKED THAT THE TIGHTENED BODY AND THE LEFT ARM CAN JUST PULL IT DOWN - with a bang TO THE BALL!

Yes, the swing is all done by the hips

Start with the hips and end with the hips? Yes I can.

The above statement was posted on Oct.1, 2009 and meant to be a memory aid on what I was working on before (which was very promising).

I believe if golf instructions can be sorted by how basic it is, I believe this will be most basic-est!


Here is what I am working on now and found to be working.

1. The grip is mostly the last three fingers of the left hand. Emphasis is placed on deactivating the left thumb from lifting the club; it is the pad of the palm that essentially supports the club. All the others are just going for the ride - you may say. TRUE.

2. The left waist bone is the total or all-encompassing inertia driver of the whole swing. It pushes the club to the slot at the top of the swing. Once the top is reached by feeling the armpit close then... the left waist bone pulls the club around to a reverse finish. No conscious hitting effort by any other muscle.
Again, every body part only goes for the ride to the top! MAYBE.

3. All other techniques are the same as taught by other golf gurus. NOT TRUE.

4. Found out in the Philippines and noted by the lady caddy that I was stopping my lower body rotation in an attempt to throw the club at the ball. This is wrong. The turning of the hips (waist) is continuous and is the hitting portion of the golf swing.

5. Because of no. 4, it resulted in the realization that the set-up of the club face and the rest (grip, hands, arms, club shaft angle) is done initially and forgotten at the start of the swing. After this set-up, the mind is totally just thinking of going around the ball - with the hips as the hitting source! The thinking is not hitting the ball but going around with the hips and through the ball.

The Cock and Fire Golf

Cock as in cock the gun. However the intent is really for golf.

The Cock and Fire Golf technique separates the back swing muscles to the forward swing muscles. It postulates the two-piece swing technique and that most golfers get the swing technique completely wrong.

Let us in a nutshell first give the description for each type of golf shot:

1. Putting - the shoulder brings back the putter and the hands hit the ball.
2. Chipping - on the fringe and almost like putting, use the putting technique above. Other chipping, back swing is done by the fingers, forward swing is done by the clasp hands.
3. Pitching - same as full shots.
4. Full Swing - the back swing is done by the shoulders, the forward swing is done by the hips (no hand action at all).

USE THE SHOULDERS INSTEAD FOR A REPEATING SWING UNDER PRESSURE

The common denominator for all good golf shot is the firm last three fingers grip.

Let us start with the putt. Keep the last three left fingers firmly holding the putter. Do the usual routine, the shoulders brings back the putter, the right hand hits the ball. Actually it is not the right hand but the "roped" arms that hits.

Let us go to the full swing. The last three fingers firmly hold and together with the firm wrist lift the club off the ground (ala Nicklaus) and joins the club to the "roped" arms (ala Hogan). The left three fingers are kept tight from start, the hit, and the finish. You can put a penny in between the club and the fingers and it will never fall off - if the action is executed correctly (ala Palmer).

And this resulted in the Abad golf swing used for all - putting to the full swing.

1. Hold the club firmly with the left last three fingers. Lift the club with the left wrist and keep it in balance before the ball.
2. Now feel the roped feeling of the arms. Feel how the left wrist connects it to the hovering club. Feel the dynamic connection between the two - a feeling like both are connected by a firm spring, ready to bend at the backswing and ready to hit bounce back to the ball.
3. With the left arm, bring the club head along the hitting path and up - to the bring the roped arms up. 9/15/2009: SORRY BUT NEED TO CHANGE THIS BECAUSE UNDER PRESSURE, IT DOES NOT REPEAT. USE THE SHOULDERS INSTEAD TO SWING THE ARMS AND CLUB - ALONG THE PLANE AS HOGAN SUGGESTED. (confirmed when BIPI championship match was won on 9/17/2009)
   
4. The roped arms will now pull the left side muscles.
5. The pulled left side muscles will now start the push to the left foot and the ensuing turn around of the body which also at the same time the roped arms are brought down automatically and the spring bounces back the club head to the ball - and around automatically.
6. Finish is automatic. 9/15/2009: THE LEFT LEG WILL PULL THE HIPS TO START THE DOWNSWING.
   

This is the move to be used for all shots if possible. On chips or putts, just roped arms will do the hitting.

Hogan's Modern Fundamentals of Golf Disected

Hogan said in his book, "I began to feel that I had the stuff to play creditable golf even when I was not at my best, my shot making started to take a new and more stable consistency. The basis for this progress, let me repeat, was my genuine conviction that all that is really required to play good golf is to execute properly a relatively small number of true fundamental movements."

Now we know that what I have been looking for is in Hogan's book, we can now assume that all the secrets of the golf swing written in the book are correct. I have now decided that my Search for the Perfect Golf Swing is over.

I will now continue to try to improve my golf game by reading his book, interpreting it and assimilating it with my own swing.

1. This method teaches that each action is the direct result of preceding actions in the chain-action sequence of the swing. The problem I noticed about this statement is how the parts are interconnected. I think this is where stiff body and arms (of Tiger) come into play and becomes the glue to hold the parts together. A good example is the roped arms of Hogan which is the glue that binds the grip and the club to the body. With the club held by the Hogan grip and stiffened up ala "alive" grip, Tiger just drops his arms towards the ball. The average golfer is entirely capable of building a repeating swing and breaking 80, if he learns to automatically intertwine a small number of correct movements and conversely, it follows, eliminates a lot of movement which tend to keep the swing from repeating.
2. The grip is very essential but not the way Hogan talks about it using where the V points. The grip is important and the V's created is not essential. What is essential is that the hands are positioned in a way that both hands are clasp to deliver an extreme backward cocking of both wrists. The right hand might even be used to be able to deliver an extreme cock. THIS IS THE SECRET THAT I HAVE MISSED ALL THOSE YEARS. BACKWARD WRISTS COCKING TO THE EXTREME IS NEEDED FOR MY GOLF SWING.
3. The elbows should be tucked in, not stuck out from the body. At address, the left elbow should point directly at the left hip bone and the right elbow should points directly at the right hip bone. Furthermore, there shoulb a sense of fixed jointness between the two forearms and the wrists, and it should be maintained throughout the swing. You will notice that the pocket of each elbow - the small depression on the inside of thejoint - will be facing towards the sky, not toward each other. When your arms are set right at address, it makes it immeasurably easier to get the proper function out of them. You will get the feeling that the arms and the club form one firm unit.
4. On the backswing the order of the movement goes like this: hands, arms, shoulders, hips. The hands start the clubhead back a split second before the arms start back. And the arms begin their movement a split second before the shoulders begin to turn. Just before the hands reach the hip level, the shoulders, as they turn automatically start pulling the hips around. As the hips begin to turn, the pull the left leg in to the right.
5. When you finish your backswing, your chin should be hitting against the top of your left shoulder. (This is my number ONE fault, not making a full turn. Therefore, for me this means EXTREME COCKING of the BOTH WRISTS BACKWARD. And extreme cocking means the wrists are cocked backwards - not at right angle - so that the resulting effect is a DELAYED HIT.) It is this increased tension that unwinds the upper part of the body. It unwinds the shoulders, the arms and the hands in that order, the correct order. It helps the swing so much it makes it almost automatic. Entrust your swing not to your hands but to your arms and body. THE RIGHT HAND AND WRIST CAN BE DOMINANT. It does not matter because the delayed hit self corrects my golf swing.
6. The hips initiate the downswing. As the shoulders turn the hips on the backswing, the muscle tension on the left body si increased. The greater the tension, the faster the hips can move back. They can't go too fast. Incidentally, the backward cock makes this move more automatic and natural.
7. To be continued.

It's the GRIP, stupid!

THE SECRET IS THE GRIP! WHAT A STUPID THING TO NEGLECT. It is a grip that will promote the backward cock of both wrists. The grip is an extreme interpretation of where the V's point of Hogan's instruction. The V's intersects and the left V points to the extreme left - or in golf parlance a very strong grip. The right V points to the extreme right - an extreme weak grip.

It is not the V's position that is important - it is the capability to get the two wrist to bend backwards for an extreme cocking lead by the right hand. THE SWING IS STARTED BY THE LEFT SHOULDER PUSHING TOWARDS THE BALL AND AT THE SAME TIME THE LEFT WRIST WILL CONSCIOUSLY START LIFTING THE CLUB UPWARDS. This left wrist lift is essential (especially the longer the shaft is - like the driver) and integral part of this secret.

The left shoulder pushes out in a lifting motion to an extreme coiled finish while the left hand cocks the club to an extreme cocked wrist with the feeling that the club is already pointing past parallel and pointing towards the front rather than the along the plane. In reality, it is along the plane and pointed to the target when viewed by somebody else. There must be a feeling of symmetry and harmonious balance in this move. THIS MOVE AND THE EXTREME COCKED LEFT WRIST ARE NOT ONLY ESSENTIAL BUT INTEGRAL TO THIS SECTION. THEY ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTS IN THIS POSTING. With it, it makes the long clubs (like the driver) feel like short irons. However, this move I found out is not easy to do. The most expedient way to do this for me is to just push the left shoulder the club head while the left wrist cocks it all the way to the "slot" until the right palikpik muscles ache. This move however needs the conventional grip of Hogan. Since it uses the conventional grip and the result is the same - extreme cocking - then this must be the better way!

This extreme cocking makes it possible for the right hand to dominate but the setting (V's) of the left hand prevents the right hand to over-power the left. THIS EXTREME COCKING CAN ONLY BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE LEFT SHOULDER PUSH AND LEFT WRIST LIFT. When properly executed, the long clubs like the driver, will feel - at point of impact - as if a short iron was hit. It delays the hit to the point the ball is hit when the hips have already cleared - like a sideways hit already.

PUTTING SECRET

THE BOTTOM HALF FROM THE WAIST DOWN IS IMMOBILIZED. FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE A MANANANGGAL AND JUST USED THE BOTTOM LIKE A SOLID BASED OF A STATUE. STICK THE BUTT OUT, TURN OFF THE RIGIDNESS OF THE WAIST MUSCLES AND PUTT WITH THE UPPER BODY.

REMEMBER TO USE THE CROSSED GRIP AND KEEP THE ARMS FEELING THE SIDE OF THE BODY.

ALSO REMEMBER THAT THE EXTREME CLOCKWISE LEFT HAND GRIP IS THE ONE THAT MAKES THE BALL GO STRAIGHT (A LITTLE HOOK) WHEN PUTTING.

Golf's Missing Link Found

If we can say that my quest for the "Perfect Golf Swing" is like the search for the proverbial Ponce de Leon's quest for "Fountain of Youth" or the search for evolution's "Missing Link." I, however, can honestly say it has been found. Unfortunately, all the time I spent on the search was actually, sort of, useless in a sense since it actually brought me to where I started.

My first golf instruction was taken from Ben Hogan's book, "The Modern Fundamentals of Golf." In the previous postings, I alluded to what I found. Here, I can tell you that what I found that really completed my golf swing is the fact that I had to learn to finish my back swing, make my shoulder hit my chin at the top of the swing. I remembered Ben Hogan mentioning this in his book so I re-read it again. Then I realized that if I had paid attention to what he said, I could have known about it a long, long time ago and could be a "pro" by now.

Here is what he said about it:

• When you finish your backswing, you chin should be hitting against the top of your left shoulder.
• The arms is like roped and pointing upwards.
• Well, in my own way, trying to make the chin hit the shoulders forced me to do an extreme cocking.
• Extreme cocking led me to experiment with a former taboo - cocking by breaking the wrists backwards.
• To get the wrists to cock backwards naturally, I experimented with the grip.
• The change in grip, led me to cock backwards with both my wrists (yes the right hand).
• Now that type of bacward movement really made be able to hit everything! Now I automatically get a delayed hit - without thinking on what hand to use.
• I can even do the chipping without thinking.
• Sand shots are now easy - done with the hands alone but the backward cock is utilized (also chipping).

Technical explanation of what is happening:

• When the V's of the fingers get crossed, it prevents the movement of the wrists to go left (important for right handers) and the right.  It only allows the picking of of the club - an upward movement.
• On full shots, when the extreme, yes EXTREME,  cocking is accomplished, the body feels that it must initiate the swing because it knows that the hands are locked up on top.  The only way, naturally, is for the body to pull the arms down.
• On not full shots where the arms and hands are the one utlized - like pitches, sand shots, chips, putts - the wrists are locked in one motion - up/down - nothing can be done even if one uses the right hand, but execute the shot correctly.

Hogan's secret a secret even to him

Finally, we can say that I have found the mother of all mother - Ben Hogan's secret. You can find his secret in my previous post.

In Hogan's book, he wrote,"WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR BACKSWING, YOUR CHIN SHOULD BE HITTING AGAINST THE TOP OF YOUR LEFT SHOULDER." What he didn't realize is the left shoulder is the key to chips and putts. Had he known, he would have been a better putter like Tiger Woods. Therefore, we can extend the argument that Tiger is really better than Ben.

The problem with this secret, although I have named it Ben Hogan's secret, is Ben Hogan was not really aware of it. If he knew it he would have been a great putter, not merely one with a great golf swing. We all know that he was not so, ergo, he himself did not know why his published golf fundamentals works for him and only a few others.

This secret will catapult the golf skills of anybody. It is a game changer. Now, armed with it's knowledge, golfers can aim to make putts (of course), chips, pitches, and even full swings - not merely trying to put it near the hole.

Shoulder-centric and Extreme Cock Technique

We have been looking for the "Perfect Golf Swing" for a long time now and it is time now to admit if we already have found it or not. After all these years, I am inclined to say that this is a personal decision for each golfer since the skill level that can be reached is really "personal" in a sense that not everybody can employ a particular set of beliefs on the "Perfect" Golf Swing.

In a recent golf magazine article I read about Nick Price, he said his game went south (he lost his game) when he tried to make changes to lengthen his drives. He has now realized that lengthening his drives is not for him because he is much better again (and won in the Champion's tour) now that he has returned to his old golf swing.

Following Nick Price's revelation, I am going to stop my quest for the perfect golf swing. I will now stick with what I started as my goal - to use only the big muscles and simplify. This is what I will do starting now - and, hopefully stick to it over my lifetime:

1. Use Tiger Wood's (my interpretation) tight upper body swing as the engine of upswing, my downswing and follow through. The upper body does everything. This is the coiled-roped feeling of Hogan. The feeling is like the forearm muscles are bulgingly tight and all, the forearms, the left wrist and the solid grip are frozen together.
2. Overlap grip is employed with an almost extreme weak right hand grip placement.
3. The swing is shoulder-centric and extreme left hand cock is employed. The left shoulder feels the weight of the clubhead and pushes it out, like a satellite being launched into orbit, until fully coiled to an extreme finish. There must be a feeling of symmetry and harmonious balance in this move. THIS MOVE IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE WITHOUT IT THE THUMB MAY GET HURT IF LIFTING MOTION IS USED. SO WHEN THE THUMB HURTS, YOU ARE MAKING A WRONG MOVE. IT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT IN THIS POSTING. With it, it makes the long clubs (like the driver) feel like short irons. WARNING - IT MAY MAKE YOU DRAW THE BALL BUT WITH THE PROPER TIMING IT SHOULD WORK OK.
   
4. The finish of the backswing is characterize by the left shoulder hitting the chin, ala Hogan. If there is no shoulder n chin, you do not have a finish! REMEMBER, THE SHOULDER MUST PUSH THE CHIN - NO IFS AND BUTS!
5. The left shoulder starts the turn towards the resulting downward blast.

Cupped hand, cock, Norman wrist trainer, hip turn, delayed hit

What does this all have in common? What can a wrist cock, Hogan's cupped left hand, Greg Norman's plastic wrist cock trainer, delayed hit and a right hip turn have in common? The main thing is they are all describing the same golf move in different ways and in different perspectives.

Let me go directly on how to describe this to myself so I can remember this move. After developing the body turn hit as described in previous postings, I noticed that one thing missing in my technique is power. Since I have heard from a few golfers and books about the right hip providing the added power to the golf swing, I tried searching for how to execute - of course, as an enhancement to my upper body turn technique. I could not figure it out. I tried and could not figure how to do it.

Last Saturday, November 1st, 2008, Rene Jose came and played golf with me. After the game, he showed me the Greg Norman contraption that is supposed to teach the correct swing, the one that forces the hip turn. When I wore it on my right hand, I was amazed for two reasons.

First, it mimicked and felt like an acquired way of me gripping the club lately. It is the right hand pressing on the handle and acting like a slight dip forward - more like a forward press but done as part of the gripping of the club. I noticed that whenever I do this, my hits become solid but I did not want to encourage myself to using it because it logically seems that I am weakening my grip too much. However, it does help the swing so I use it when I feel like it.

Second, when I wore the Norman grip trainer, I realized that not only does it resemble this grip but it actually forces you to bend the right hand much farther backwards, yes backwards but wrist-breaking backwards! Rene said that this will force you to hit with the right hip because that is the only way the club will square itself to the target - by turning the hip. He said try it first with chips because this is where it is very apparent - whatever that is.

Let us digress for a moment on what happened when I tried chipping in my bedroom. Because of the necessary hip turn, it opened my eyes to how the club comes in more on the heel and while the hips is turning, it also turns the club face around - all in the same golf action. This realization now made it possible for me to do what Anthony was trying to teach me - the Norman chip. The Norman chip is the club is left open to the extent that one may look like he is trying to heel the ball with the club. But because of the hip turn, like Anthony's explanation, the ball really rolls from the heel to the toe of the the club. Realizing and learning this technique, it made it so easy for me to know how the professionals lob chips the ball as what I had seen them do at the Connecticut tournament.

Going back to the previous topic, I went to the driving range to figure out how to apply this to my swing. As usual, I started with my body twist. After a few trials, I figured that to implement this together with my body swing, I had to grip the club the same way as before (like the forward press) but I had to to go from light to heavy cocking while the club is being brought up - on the upswing. THE LEFT HAND IS ACTIVELY PART OF THE SWING. It steadies the club from upswing to downswing - even sort of pulls the club on the downswing. The result is a more powerful swing. But it is more than that. It just like what Hogan said, you cannot over do it - it is possible to give it all you got and still it will be correct.

It is noteworthy to say that the swing is still my body turn swing, not done by the hips. However, there is a pronounced late hit where the body is forced to turn - because the mind knows that the club has been brought back and the face of the club has to be brought back to square. What I am trying to say is the technique is still the body turn (hit) but mentally, I am forced to finish. No more finishing of my right foot!

The left hand is an active part of my body swing. I meant to document this before but I had not done so. I'll document it here. Because I was not keeping the left hand active, my body turn swing caused an injury to my right shoulder. It pulled the shoulder muscle joint. I guess this is like the tennis elbow - this time a "golf shoulder." In order to prevent injury, the left hand and arm must take full control of the swing.

The left hand and left arm must be the dominant holder of the club - like Anthony Kim. And like Anthony Kim, the left hand grip must be low so that there is a feeling of the left arm in total control of the club. At impact, the left hand drops the club head to the ball.

Golf Techniques Unification Theory

Why would there be so many teachings and different techniques espoused by so many professional golfers? Is there a golf teaching or golf technique that will unify all? Maybe...

Let us make this posting as the graduation event of all my postings.

If we can take the previous posting and say, take those instructions and then forget them. Just make a golf swing using the shoulders - by feeling - and hitting as hard as possible, what may happen? Well,

• if we kept the grip as Hogan instructed, the club resting on the two middle right hand fingers
• made the left arm a little stiff (tied up feeling)
• and turned with the shoulders as far as the upper body can be twisted.

What would happen is this:

• the double wheel theory of mine would be in play
• the AJ instruction of opening and closing the hands would be in play
• the nun chuck or the two-piece stick grass cutter would be in play
• maybe this is how Hogan, Tiger and Nicklaus - hitting as strong as possible with the shoulders and the hands just a reaction to it.

Hmmm....

August 12, 2008 - YES, YES, YES!

Aggressive Wrist Cock Serves As a Learning Aid

For 99% of the golfers out there, taking a vigorous wrist cock may be the answer to understanding the correct golf swing. When the club is taken back and extremely cocked, the twisted body is pulled further. This in turn turns a switch in the brain to pull the club with the body rather than starting the downswing with the hands. The feeling of the over cocked clubs leaves the mind hopelessly incapable of flipping the club back with the hands. It (the mind) orders the body to un-twist first and at the desired moment when it feels it has control of the club, let the hands do its work.

The technique is sound, however, considering my physique, it may be better to let the left wrist to act in concert with the right hand (middle two fingers holding the club) to accomplish this extreme twisting. Let the left wrist start the movement by flipping the club towards the left and around - the right hand taking over somewhere and cocking the club. The right arm movement bringing the club tightly to the top will force an upper body twist. At this point at the top, the upper body will automatically recoil and bring the club head towards the ball.

It is best to imagine and "see" the path of the club head through the ball so that the left hand can bring the club head back along the same path and the upper body can recoil back to the same path.