Master of the Pull - THE GOLF QUEST IS OVER!

What would be an excellent memory jogger for this golf technique?  I think illustrating how the chip is accomplished is the best way to start this posting.

Assuming you have taken the stance, which on mine is the waist is nearly 45 degrees of the target line, cock the right wrist to the desired length (extreme is better).  NOW HERE IS THE MASTER OF THE PULL TECHNIQUE, the club stays motionless after the cock while THE BODY (left shoulder) PULLS THE CLUB BACK TO THE BALL and (left arm/hand) throws it to the target.

This pulling force is the essence of all the shots from putting, chipping, pitching, iron and wood shots.  There may be variations but the common denominator is the pulling action.

NOW IF YOU INCORPORATE THIS WITH THE PROPER FORM and the hinged upper body/lower body, then you will be really playing golf!  How do we do this then?  Let us start with the driver...

(no longer entirely true - see 16OCT2014 below): Take the stance, imagine that the upper torso is detached from the lower one (personal memory key: my BALL BEARING key chain), push the upper torso with the left hip .  At the top, fully cock the club with the left hand.  Immediately after cocking, pull the upper torso towards the ball (automatically shifting the weight to the left) AND TURN AROUND (left shoulder pull) TO A PICTURE PERFECT FINISH!  That is it for the driver AND ALL THE OTHER CLUBS!

The only difference from chipping (and putting also) is that the right hand cocks first while the driver, the left hip (no longer true - see 16OCT2014 below) starts the swing and left hand cocks.

In putting, the right hand brings the putter back (while the shoulders "feel" for tautness). The shoulders (can be the right hand) then pull the putter towards the ball while reversing the "feeling" for the right velocity.

I THINK THIS POSTING SUMMARIZES ESSENTIALLY THE PERFECT END TO THE SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT SWING!

HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO CORRECTLY EXECUTE THE ABOVE, AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE GEOMETRY OF GOLF IS NECESSARY.

The golf swing geometry is a two axis movement.  The neck is the first axis and the grip is the second axis.  The body pulls the second axis by turning the shoulders, along the first axis.  When the fully cocked grip reaches the bottom, the club is allowed to uncock around the second axis (the grip).  The late unwinding at the right time creates the divot and is usually referred to as the desired "late" hit.

THE HARD PART NOW IS TRYING TO PUT ALL THESE IN ONE COHESIVE REPEATING GOLF SWING.  ONE WAY IS PERHAPS  THINK ONLY OF COCKING THE RIGHT HAND AND BOLDLY UN-COCKING/HITTING THE BALL AFTER THE GRIP (AXIS) REACHES THE LOWEST POINT.  IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE GRIP IS BROUGHT DOWN TO THE LOWEST POINT BY THE LEFT HIP (the left shoulders now).

11Oct2014:

The solution to putting all the above together is the Hogan's cupping his left hand. The purpose of this cupping is really to delay the hit! Although, I think Hogan's main objective is to prevent himself hooking his shots which he tended to do at the beginning.

I found out about this cupping as a result of experimenting with the wedge shot.  I was trying to make the way I hold the club feel like an extreme offset and in so doing, when I was cocking the club with my left hand, the cupping of the back left hand is actually the one happening!  In reality, what I was doing is the chipping technique described above, except now I realized that it is the Hogan technique that I was implementing.

Now let us put this all together.  Because of the geometry of golf as I mentioned above, the second axis is not allowed to hit the ball early or not at all.  Hogan invented the cupping technique to cure his hooks but actually what he did was to ensure the late hit is assured.  Also, we found out about the extreme right hand cocking because of the chipping technique mentioned above.  With this new method I will explain, the hips will no longer be the main driver in the back swing.  It will be the right hand cocking the club first.  This move will pull the body around and the left hip too so it will be the same effect as the left hip pushing the club.  The downswing will have as its main purpose to paint the ball with the cupped left backhand. In order to accomplish this, the body (actually the left shoulder) will really be turning around and pushing the entire weight sliding towards the target until the point where the picture perfect finish is achieved.  This move makes the swing more natural for me to implement. Oh what a joy to finally find my own swing! Another good outcome of this owning my own swing and knowing the technical details of it will make be able to make necessary corrections easy, even when I am in the course playing.

16OCT2014: V for Victory in Golf

Why does my new chipping technique (extreme cock of the wrist and pull) works?  It is because of the V created by the right arm and club with the clasped hands as the apex.  Imagine the clasped hands as the apex or tip of a spear.  When the hands are brought down towards the ball like a spear, it consolidates all the energy into one point - towards the ball - and, in addition, energy is multiplied when the club unwinds by itself, smacking the ball.

Now extend this principle to a full shot ala Rory McIlroy and one will figure out the how to correctly execute a golf shot.  Imagine the shoulders as one side of the V and the left arm and club as the other. Think of the left shoulder as the apex.  Now with the right hand (pronation is mandatory) as chipping, abruptly but smoothly bring the club upward by breaking the right wrist and try to create the V closing the angle as much as physically possible while pulling the left side around. WITH THE LEFT SHOULDER, PULL THE APEX DOWN TOWARDS THE BALL, creatirng the same move as Rory, to a SMOOTH and full picture perfect finish.

Remember that the hands apex is also involved here.  In reality, this is a two apex swing.  The chipping apex (early cock) starts the swing and pulls the next apex (left shoulder) to the top.  There is a conscious feeling that the left arm joins the two apexes.  The joint feeling must be made very apparent on the downswing so that the oneness of the swing transition from the left shoulder to the club head is felt.  Everything from the upswing to the downswing must feel smooth like honey.  The left arm actually prevents a shank since it makes sure that the club head is squared before impact - which happens when the lateral move is early and leaves the club face still open at impact.

26OCT2014:  The down swing move by Rory is really the whole body just firing at the ball.  At the course today, I just:

1. Let the club align with my left arm.
2. My right hand grip is ready for the extreme cock (right shoulder down).
3. The left hip starts the club movement with a full cock done by the left hand. This is a key development.  The hip pushing the club head along the target line, not only steepens the plane (for divots) but also create a perfect takeaway! 03Nov2014.
4. The hit is the body going to the perfect finish position - no thinking needed. Reminder: This is what I do when I imagine the roped arms feeling and just hit with all the muscles firm.  Watch this:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvEzEYl0Re0
5. Try to create an upright plane for non-driver shots.

Drop and Drag Golf Evolves to Hip Golf

Like I said in a recent posting, the golf swing is a pulling action and not a hammering action.  This is very apparent when putting.  The best move in putting is when the putter is dropped back (back swing) and then dragged forward by a pulling action.  You can call this technique a "
Drop and Drag Golf".

However this posting is not about drag and drop but its evolution to the Hip Golf.  If the setup is done with the intent of drag and drop golf, then it is possible to just use the hips to create the backswing and the forward swing.  When employed, the whole upper body from the hips upward functions like the mechanical golf equipment where the mechanical part just rotates around the center.

It should be noted that employing the hips as the firing mechanism of the swing makes a profound change to the common golf swing method.  Firing the hips makes the golf swing a very mechanical and very accurate swing.  Hogan anyone?  Well, Rory McIlroy comes to mind when you think about a more recent golfer employing the hip swing.

The main thing to remember is how the upper body functions in connection with the hips.  The upper body becomes independent of the hips (remember the keychain?).  The hips throws weight of the whole upper body around backwards and forwards but it only does that - throws the weight. The upper body just rotates back and hits the ball by centrifugal force (but supposedly by muscle memory).  

TO EMPLOY, AT ADDRESS, RELAX THE TUMMY MUSCLES SO THAT IT FEELS NOT DIRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE HIPS. THEN USE THE HIPS.

16Sep2014: USE THE HIPS FOR THE BACKSWING WITH FULL COCKING OF LEFT WRIST AND LEFT SHOULDER REACHING CHIN.  AFTERWARDS, WITH THE LEFT HAND, PULL THE CLUB TOWARDS THE BALL WITH THE MAIN INTENT OF CREATING A DIVOT.  THE LEFT HIP WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPEN BECAUSE THE LEFT ARM PULLING THE CLUB HEAD TOWARDS THE BALL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT CLEARING THE LEFT HIPS.  19Sep2014: To facilitate this said move, it is imperative that the grip of the left hand must be ultra close or sitting on top of the rubber grip - positioned in such a way that when the hips start the upswing, the left grip rides along the plane as if inverted, ready for the inverted cocking.  The result is a forced winding of the shoulders ending with the left shoulder ramming on the chin and eventually an automatic unwinding or hit towards the ball.  Hit with the LEFT arm and hand and EXPECT A LONGER FLYING SHOT!

To Hell and Back (with Hogan) or Explaining Hogan's "Secret"

In March of 2011, I discovered Hogan's secret.  Well I must have lost it again because now I am back and just recently discovered (again!) Hogan's secret.  It is not really a secret but why he is known for being so goddam accurate.  Making the golf swing simple is really Hogan's forte.  How do we do it, let me explain.

First, I have to say that the grip is important.  If not done right, the swing does not produce the desired result.  Let me enumerate the step.

1. Start the setup by feeling the left hand grip employing the fulcrum method to balance the club.
2. When done, wrap the right hand like a glove around the left hand, making sure that the middle finger, the forefinger and the thumb is gently but solidly wrapped around the shaft of the club. There is no looseness here.  The grip must feeling like a solid ball wrapped around the club.
3. Then drop the left shoulder around backwards until it touches the chin.
4. Fire away immediately after.

The simplicity and compactness of this golf swing makes it easily repeatable.  A repeating swing is Hogan's swing and it is Hogan's secret. 

The Cocking Is Not Part of the Swing

Why is the 8 iron the worst club in my bag?  Because it is the club that I at times I hit the ball with the toe.

And what would eliminate this weakness?  Weakness it is but it should be my special club from now on.  It is because of this club and the ensuing tendency to toe the ball that I spent time to study the cause.  Well the cause may be a little bit too hard to explain but the cure is easier.  What is needed is a full cock, closer to extreme cock of the left wrist.  As a matter of fact, this explains why I cannot hit long any more.  I can no longer hit a solid shot.  This full cocking delays the hit and imparts spin.

It should be noted that the cocking should be done by the left shoulder.  Don't ask why, just do it! However, more important is how to bring the club to the top. Forget the plane.  The club is is brought up by the right hand. The right hand bends at the wrist backwards in the same path as the fold created by the thumb and forefinger. The bending creates the extreme cocking... automatically!

19JUL2014:  Further experimentation of the right hand cock made me to conclude that:

1. Cocking is done by bending the right hand squarely backwards at the wrist.  It is not an upward motion but straight backwards from the wrist.
2. The backward move of the right hand is really not part of the basic swing.  It's main function is to shape the shot.  It can face more upwards to the sky to create a divot.  It can go low to create the low hugging shots or it can be a full cock to create more spin.
3. One thing sure is the swing or hitting the ball is fully done by the shoulders after the cocking has been executed.  Once the cock is set, the left shoulder takes over, bring the club up and bring the club down to hit the ball.  The cock just comes for the ride.

The secret of the tight roped forearms

Hogan mentioned that the forearms must be so tight and solid that nobody can pry them apart.  He however forgot to mention why this is necessary for the golf swing.  However from my experience, what is necessary is the left arm is suppose to be stiff and the left wrist and hand must be balancing the club with the left pad and left forefinger.  The purpose of this is to "measure" how far the ball is from the body... meaning it is the part of the swing that ensures that we do not dub the club to the ground.  It is the part of the swing that ensures that the distance between the shoulders and the ball are kept the same throughout the swing.  This is particularly necessary when chipping because we tend to bend out left arm when addressing the ball resulting in a dubbed chip.

Golf 101: Every Golf Move is Started by a Pull

Going straight to the point, the common fact that makes the golf swing a golf swing is the pulling motion applied to hitting the golf ball and most important and not so apparent and almost borders to secrecy is it's application to the take-away.

This pulling motion is employed in all shots from putting, chipping, pitches and full shots.  It is very apparent and most will only equate it to the forward motion employed to hit the golf ball.  However, it is also employed in the take-away motion of the club.  The club head does not start the motion in the back swing.  It is the pull of the hands that pulls the club head backwards and flips it over and around to the top of the back swing... setting the body so that the shoulders (or hands only when applicable) can continue the back swing to the top.

It is also very important to say that this pulling motion - as a topic - is a novel teaching that contradicts the previous postings.  From this point on, the reader must clean the slate.

The Plane (12May2014)

When the arms are locked like the way Hogan described and when the grip is solidly united, it is possible to pull the club with the hands and arms inward and letting the club head go along the plane.  As a matter of fact, my swing should ingrain this take away to the plane.  The reason is it makes it easier to pull the club head downwards to make a divot or brushing motion without the divot.

The Helicopter Swing ala Michelle Wie (17May2014)

The recommended swing technique is the employment of the "helicopter blades" ala Michelle Wie where the shoulders are turned around backwards forcefully and reversed automatically by the bounce created by the body muscles hitting its maximum stretch.  Same forceful "helicopter blades" are employed for the forward swing.

It should be noted that this technique requires the one-piece set-up composed of the Hogan locked arms and the solid grip outlined in the previous paragraph titled Plane.  The shoulders are turned while the arms, grip and club are consciously forgotten. 

Other Set-up Routines

The other fundamentals of the swing are optional and it all depends on the whims of the golfer.   Whatever works is fine.

Putting, Chipping, Pitching, Full Swing

Yes, the initiating pulling action action is integral to every golf swing.  Even in putting where is it not readily discernible, it must be employed.  Including the pulling start in all golf moves makes it easier to create a standard golf swing that will be easy to fix... even while playing.  If a shot went wrong, having this common denominator in all golf moves, one can easily  feel what went wrong in the swing and should be able to correct it on the fly.

Golf in Three/ Two Moves

The full golf swing can be executed correctly in three golf moves.  These moves are performed by three different parts of the body - the hands, shoulders and hips and in that sequence.  The hands flips the club upwards, then the shoulders twists the body to the max and the hips then flips the body and club downwards towards and around the ball. Doesn't this remind you of Hogan?

1. First move - the right hand:
1. At address, visualize Hogan's plane, like a pane of glass resting on your shoulders and the other end touching the ball, the surface of which is aligned with the target line.
2. While waggling, feel the weight of the club head. Gracefully bend your right hand backwards by the wrist and flip the club head weight up.  It should find its way along the plane.
3. The desired effect is when the right hand is fully cocked - meaning fully bent by the wrist.
2. Second move - the shoulders:
1. When the club and left arms starts to align with the plane, the shoulders in turn pick up the weight of the club head and further flips it up by turning the shoulders fully until it pulls the waist with it.  In fact, you should not stop until this pulled feeling is felt by the waist. 
2. The desired effect, again, is the shoulders are fully twisted.
3. Third move - the waist:
1. When the waist has been pulled tightly, the downswing is started by the waist uncoiling.
2. The the rest follows, shoulders uncoils, hands hits the ball.
3. Please do not under estimate this move.  This could be Hogan's secret.  In his book, he did now elaborate on this.  He just mentioned about the plane changing the axis or slope when the ball is hit.  However,
1. this waist first move, not only changes the plane axis but ensures the lag (delayed hit) happens,
2. and it also corrects any tendency to hook the ball - it straightens the ball flight,
3. and, of course, provides a stronger hit resulting on more authoritative and longer ball flight.

1. Move One - Wind up
1. Set up the club by the ball with the club shaft perpendicular to the line of flight.
2. Set up with the right shoulder lower and the head behind the ball.
3. Set the grip with the pincer thumb and forefinger (to be used for aiming).
4. Use the "alive" grip.  Feel the right middle finger.  This finger will be the fulcrum that will "cock" the club.
5. Push the left shoulder towards the ball and around until it cannot go any longer. The right middle finger should be pulling the club up while the left hand is pushing down.
6. At this point, one would have felt the shoulders twisting the body and winding up to the top and the club fully in the "slot".
2. Move Two - Unwind
1. Unwind to the ball and just let it happen!
2. The lower body should be leading and will move the head a little forward of the ball.
3. The upper body untwist and scrapes the ball along the path - a visible divot created.
4. Follow through to a complete "C" finish,.

19OCT2013: I INCORPORATED THE HIPS AND IT WORKED PERFECTLY.  TO MY AMAZEMENT I READ THIS IN THE GOLF MAGAZINE - ALMOST A CARBON COPY OF MY NEW METHOD.

Butch Harmon tip: "If you had never played golf before and had some athleticism, I'd tell you two things: First, you swing on two posts - your legs.  Make your back-swing around the right post and your follow-through around the left post.  And second, you want to fold your right arm on the back-swing and fold your left arm on the through-swing.  Golf is that simple."

MY INTERPRETATION - HIPS/FEET-CENTRIC - 31OCT2013

1. Set-up
1. Set up the club by the ball with the club shaft perpendicular to the line of flight.  It is perpendicular for no other reason now... just a carry over from previous belief that the right hand brings it back up normally aligned to the right arm.  Now I do not know if this is necessary with the focus on the hips or foot.
2. Set the grip with the pincer thumb and forefinger (to be used for aiming) but the alive grip is very necessary and essential because the right middle fingers picks up the club head to the top and promotes automatic cocking.
3. The left arm is stiff straight at address and throughout the swing.  This promotes accuracy (less deviation to the target), creates a divot and prevents skulling the ball.
4. Other normal set-up routines apply
2. Hips/Feet
1. Back-swing:  Turn the left hip around the right leg and feeling the club reaching the top. The right hand middle finger is very actively involved here.  As soon as weight of the club reaches the top...
2. Downswing: Turn the right hips along the left leg and feeling the club head rip through the ball.  The finish should be automatic if the hips are the one in control.
3. All the time, the club head's centrifugal weight is sensed... thrown up and pulled down.
4. Note:  All the swing is done by the hips however, the feet can be the active initiator too - if one can do it.  The feet mostly is like Nicklaus way - just transfer of the weight by rolling of each foot.
5. 06NOV2013:  Something to prove... I seem to be able to hit the ball realistically better when I am thinking that I am hitting the ball with the club and by my right hip... when my body is already facing the target and basically hitting the ball "sideways".  Sideways, meaning my left arm are down and on my right side already; the right hip just pushing the stretched left arm towards the ball... and hopefully past it.
6. 07NOV2013:  The main worker in the back swing is the left arm (right arm is almost not needed).  It's movement is just like throwing the "cape" towards the back - this case, the club and extremely cocked (and extremely rigid straight). THE LEFT WRIST ACTIVELY AND EXTREMELY COCKS THE CLUB! 09FEB2014: BUT THE LEFT WRIST IS FIRM EVERY TIME ON UPSWING AND DOWNSWING. THE HANDS DO NOT HIT THE BALL... THE UPPER (FOR PITCHES OR CHIPS) OR LOWER (HIPS) BODY DOES. THE HANDS JUST HANGS ON FOR THE TRIP, SO TO SAY. This is true for all shots even chipping.  When the top is "loaded", the right hip is closed like the previous instruction.
7. 09FEB2014: CORRECTION ON NO. 6 above.  When the club is brought back, there must be an active connection to the HIPs (for full shot - upper torso, otherwise).  The HIPS must be felt to be actually bringing the club up so that there will be a connection to the hit.  A little hard to explain but it is necessary, otherwise, there will be that feeling of disconnection.  Again, the left wrist must be firm to ensure that the twisting body is doing the hitting.
3. 25NOV2013: Putting it all together.
1. After all the mechanics has been dealt with as all the above, the bottom line is, they must all be forgotten.
2. What should remain is at address, just the think of what you want the right hip to do to make the ball go the desired route and landing.
3. That is it...

SUMMARY

This posting has started on the swing done by the shoulders.  It graduated to the hips.  But finally, it now has reached the feet.  I would say this is a vast improvement in such a short time.  Also, what is not stressed here although I know it since I am the one who writes is the takeaway.  The combination of the push of the left hip or roll of the left foot and the alive grip - the right hand middle fingers (just one for me because of my arthritic right finger close to the little finger) automatically pulling the club up makes for a simplified smooth but perfect and automatic takeaway.

Secret sauce

1. Why is the right hand thumb and forefinger pincer grip important in putting and chipping?  It is because it gives me the feeling of being able to aim the putter (or club) to the target.  The feeling is becomes like I am using of "off-set" putter or club and I feel like I am dragging the "head" of the club.  This feeling makes it easier to see the line - actively - meaning from putter to the target and not the other way around (target to putter head)
2. Why is it a must to keep the head behind the ball at the moment of impact?  The reason is it forces me to move the waist first before the turning of the shoulders to hit the ball... which is the correct golf swing.
3. Why is the club shaft at address suppose to be perpendicular to the ball direction and not parallel to the arm?  Because the club is pulled up with the right hand (or middle finger) first which automatically puts the shaft parallel to the arm at the point where the arm takes over carrying the club to the top.  It just makes the transition from the ball to the top automatic - a common problem solved by this method.
4. Why is the shoulders have to be twisted as much as possible?  One will notice that the twisting of the body has a direct effect to the divot.  It forces the lower body to move the head a tad to the left and delays the hit.

Grumblings

Rhythm

After all is said is done, rhythm is everything.  It is the glue that binds all the learned mechanics together.  Without it all is for naught.  When pieces of an artist creation are not glued together, they stay as pieces and not an art.

Take putting.  Bring back the putter with the right hand and swing forward with the shoulders.  Easy said but in practice, there is something off sometimes.  You feel it but cannot put your fingers on it.  You keep practicing to get the "feel" back.  It is rhythm that is missing.

What is rhythm in the golf sense of it then? This may be a personal thing for me.  To others, this can be automatic or inborn.  But golf rhythm is something I was not born with... I have to work hard for it.

Golf rhythm is the merging of the backswing to the forward swing in such a way that it is melded into one beautiful move... the one that delays the hit and creates the backspin, the one that makes the ball farther, the one that makes the hit sound ecstatic.

Grip 101 - Positioning

The hands must be ahead of the ball at address.  This is especially true for chips with stopping action.  The right hand grip should feel like the club is pinched but the hand is already cocked at address.  It is an unusual feeling where you know you have put the hands ahead of the position of the ball.  As a matter of fact, the club butt should be pointing left of the body while the eyes and ball position are on the center of the stance.

12Jul2013:  Something to experiment in the future.  Make the left hand responsible to the path of the ball (fade or draw) and the right hand for the trajectory.  Both should be accomplished by how the hands are positioned on the grip.

Finally the Secret

And I thought the secret to the backspin is the grip! What a mistake.  It helps and can be used with the secret but the secret is the flail with the left hand!  Yes the flail! Yes, it is the full cocking of the right and the left hand pulling and flailing the club underneath the ball.  The difference with the flail is where the fulcrum of the swing happens.  With the flail, the fulcrum is the hands.  On full shots and the putter, the fulcrum is the shoulders.  Like I said, the flail can work together with the Grip 101 and both should maximize the backspin.

One thing to remember is the flail back swing direction or height can vary - either steep to really pinch the ball to the ground or little lower (on chips) to make the ball run farther.

Another thing to remember is the flail is mostly used in chipping and short irons - when spin is needed.  Never with putting and, maybe, with the driver and long clubs too where you want the ball to roll farther but no spin at all.

03July2013: Another perspective to this.  Imagine Tiger Woods' way to blast the driver - full twisting backswing and a jerking forward swing, This is how to do it:

1. Start the cock very early with right hand.
2. Continue to twist the shoulder until it is felt by the body.
3. Now... feel your left hand in control of the club at the top
4. Hang on... and jerk the lower body around and pull everything connected to the left arm!
5. THAT IS IT!

Right wrist drags and cock (only), body unwinds (only)

The main purpose of this posting is for me to remember that the club goes only backwards and not forward.  The hit is just an unwinding of the body.  This is the essence of every shot, from putting, short game and the full shots. 09FEB2014: REMEMBER THE LEFT WRIST IS FIRM ALWAYS ESPECIALLY ON THE DOWNSWING BY THE HIPS.

The flip of the right wrist, in more detail, is done in the direction of the V formed by the right thumb and fore finger. 29Jun2012: Correction.  The V is not the key, it is just the right wrist flipping backward.  Let us put it this way, Hogan, who is a left handed player "cups" his left wrist while a right handed player "bends" his right wrist.

Essential motion of the right hand wrist

At address, while the putter head or club head is behind the ball, the initial motion is for the right wrist to flip backwards, essentially dragging the putter head or club head along the ground.  Somewhere along the plane, the right wrist cocks upwards up to the top.  Of course, in putting, the only motion is the putter being drag back... otherwise, chipping (somewhat), pitches (most) and full shots (definitely) will employ the full cocking.

29Jun2012:  Correction.  The V is not the key, it is just the right wrist flipping backward.  Let us put it this way, Hogan, who is a left handed player "cups" his left wrist while a right handed player "bends" his right wrist.

08JUN2012:  Full cocking is achieved when the left wrist freezes to support the centrifugal weight and the left hand is cocked fully like an L or a square tool. 29Jun2012: Correction. Once the right wrist achieves full "bending", the preceding statement may not be as important any more.

11JUN2012: Back swing is 99% left arm responsibility. The sequence is like this:

1. Left hand pad pushes down while the right fingers support the club like a fulcrum.  
2. The left hand continues up to an extreme cocking.  
3. What is the difference to using the right hand to bring the club up?  With the left hand  pushing down, it starts the twisting early and by the time the full cocking is achieved, the back is already turned facing the target.  
4. The feeling will be different because it will "force" you to turn around for the hit.
5. 29Jun2012: Correction. Once the right wrist achieves full "bending", the preceding statements may not be as important any more.

Putting

After getting the line, the putter head is brought back by cocking the right wrist backwards.  No forward motion is necessary.  The shoulders brings the putter back towards the ball and the hole.  29Jun2012: It is a positive thing that "cocking" was used here.  However, the term should be "bending."

Chipping and pitching

Employ the wrist action (above) with the cocking variable to the needed outcome - more cocking means higher trajectory and vice-versa. The shoulders (most often) creates the hit. 29Jun2012: It is a positive thing that "cocking" was used here.  However, the term should be "bending."

08JUN2012:  With an open stance, flip the club up with the right wrist until the elbow touches the right body side.  With a firm left wrist to support the club, the lower body (with the right hips supporting and touching the arms/hands) turns around and "throws" the ball to the target surface.  The same approach is employed on full shots. 29Jun2012: The term "flipping" should mean "bending."

13May2013:  Just like in putting, the right hand cocks but instead of the shoulder moving forward, just concentrate of moving the body around the left foot.

Full shots

The cocking is a two motion move.  As explained above, the wrist is swung backwards moving the club face along the ground... continuing upwards and at the same time the right wrists breaks upwards to a full cock pulling the body muscles tightly where the only recourse is to uncoil.  05JUL2012:  This is a refinement of the  previous sentence with the purpose of creating a consistent hitting position.  The wrist is swung backwards or rather, the club head is flipped backwards by the right wrist - hard enough to create a centrifugal dead weight at the top, which when pulled by the body downwards forces the left arm to pull the club grip towards the ball - which promotes consistency resulting in a solid and timely hit by the club head to the ball.

08JUN2012:  Full cocking is achieved when the left wrist freezes to support the centrifugal weight and the left hand is cocked fully like an L or a square tool. 25Jun2012:  Another way to achieve this full cock is when the right arm is fully "holstered" at the top - meaning the upper right arm muscles are taught to the fullest and the club is "cocked".

There is no hit done by the hands or the arms.  All the power is initiated and provided by the un-twisting of the body muscles.  08JUN2012: However, the left frozen wrist plays a big part to guide the club face to the ball and provides the extra kick. 11JUN2012:  Primary goal must be to complete the left hand cocking where the left wrist cocks the club backwards as far as it will go.

25Jun2012: The "dukot" is an essential part of the full swing.  It is the similar to what Hogan suggested in his book wherein the plane dips just before the downswing.  In essence, this is keeping the head behind the ball and starting the swing with the body weight pushed towards the ball.  The ultimate part of this is when the mental aspect is already "hit" oriented and the left side, arm, wrists are in full control - back swing and forward swing - all moving without consciously thinking about it (just result oriented). NOW IT IS TIME TO INGRAIN THE THE FUNDAMENTALS INTO MUSCLE MEMORY !  29JUN2112 CORRECTION: THE BACKWARD BENDING OF THE WRIST IS MORE IMPORTANT.

Again, to summarize.  The club is only brought back and the body untwisting provides the power. 29JUN2112 CORRECTION: THE BACKWARD BENDING OF THE WRIST IS MORE IMPORTANT.

13May2013:  Just like in putting, the right hand cocks but instead of the shoulder moving forward, just concentrate of moving the body around the left foot.  In addition, concentrate on flinging the clasped cocked hands rather that the club which should create an explosive hit.

Going with Feelings

After learning all the basics of the "Golf Pro System", one needs to supplant it by learning the feeling of the golf swing.  By feeling I mean not the mental side but the emotion side.  The Golf Pro System teaches the basics for the mind but this section will try to teach the basics of golf feel.

Tacky Takeaway

Tacky takeaway is the way a golfer feels the first moments of the golf swing.  It starts from the waggle up to the top of the back swing.  After the waggle, the club head is rested on the ground for a split second. From there, the right hand middle fingers flips the club head up while the left shoulder takes over to the top.  It is a one fluid motion, a tacky feeling where the club head is raised by the right hand fingers and somewhere along the way, the left shoulder takes over in one fluid motion and hurls the club head to the top.  One cannot say when the hand-off from right to left is made; one just feels it.

The Loosey Goosey Upper Torso

Everything connected to the spine that one can described as the upper torso of the body must be connected to  the lower body like they are independent a just connected by ball bearings at the spine.  The lower body can just hurl it but it cannot stop it from centrifugally finishing the swing. 

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.