The Double Pull or the Essence of the Golf Swing

I finally got it all together.  In the process, I found out that some of the "truths" I have written before no longer are true while the other ones I have stitched together to embody the perfect golf swing.

Essentially, the perfect golf swing is indeed a pull motion but the pull is done by two body parts - one starting the swing and the other one accelerating it further.  What I mean is the upper body pulls the club towards the ball and the lower body then taking over and pulling it further to speed up the velocity.  It is a swing where the body feels the weight of the club being pulled towards the ball and at a given split second, transfers the pulling force to the lower body - until it goes around to the perfect finish at the top.  The swing is felt and the body reacts.

This reminds me of the billiard stroke.  In the process of learning it, one eventually forgets the cue and just executes the shot.  It is now possible to feel the golf shot and execute it without thinking.

So how should it be done?  Well right now, I have only practice the shot in my bedroom but it does not seem to be impossible to transfer to the real thing.  One thing I noticed is because I am trying to feel the club now, I felt that the upswing now has to be like a round-house kick motion where the weight of the club is thrown away like a launch of of satellite until it is felt to arrive at the top.  Then the pull action by the "mostly" upper body towards the ball starts - the weight of the club being felt all the time. Somewhere and sometime, the lower body and the hips turns around to launch the club head further along its way.  It is a two stage launch!

By the way, just to emphasize the technique - this is actually the implementation of the chip pulling spin action I have written about a couple of postings before.  But now that I have further made it a two pull action, that chip technique must now also be revised to ensure that the body now pulls the club - upper body first and the turning hips afterwards.  Of course, this is all done by feeling.

This new way must now find its way to all the shots - from putter to the driver.

IMPORTANT (April 9, 2015)

What was discovered here is the essence of the golf swing.  On chip and putts, the axis is the hands is while in a regular swing, the axis is the shoulder.  The pulling force is dependent on the individual.  The main point to remember is the golf swing is the fluid motion of bringing the club up pivoting along the axis with the body feeling the weight of the club.  When the desired moment is reached when the club has stopped its acceleration, the pull of the body is started and the club thrown towards the ball, letting the pulling force be as violent as desired towards the target and then the body closing up to the picture perfect finish.

We must remember that this is the whole objective in the Imperfect Golf Swing - to create this fluid motion of bringing the club up and feeling the weight of the club and pulling and throwing the club head along the ball towards the target and turning the body to the perfect finish at the top.  All the rest, the grip, the stance, etc. are dependent on the capability of the individual to execute this move.

This topic is copied in different postings to remind us of this fact.

Alive grip, important or essential?

Well let us go back first and explain what an alive grip is.  It is the grip where the right middle finger is used as a fulcrum to balance weight of the club as it is held during set-up.  It automatically also brings the club up at the time of the backswing.

In addition, let me relate what happened to me today at the driving range.  It is winter here and all my practice is done inside my bedroom.  I just found out how to impart a spin on my chips on my carpet which actually led to my thinking of how the golf swing really works.  What I found out is that the club is actually pulled to hit the ball - and in contrast - not hammering the ball.

To see if my bedroom discovery is correct I had to go to the driving range.  Although, I validated my pull discovery, I lost my way of bringing up the club.  I lost my skill to perform the takeaway - which I was doing in my bedroom just a couple of days ago.  Well, I let it go since I was not there for practice but just to prove my theory.

At home, I went back and read what I have been writing about recently and I found the topic on the alive grip.  I had forgotten - easy now since I am getting old - gripping my club at set-up with the alive grip.  I went in my bedroom and used the alive grip.  Well what a revelation!

Because of the pull technique of golf shot (with the alive grip), just turning the left shoulder in without starting the club with the right hand, is actually enough to make a complete turn automatically - the same every time! Could this be another Hogan secret?

Takeaway from this topic:  FROM NOW ON, ALWAYS USE THE ALIVE GRIP AT SET-UP! JUST TURN THE THE LEFT SHOULDER IN AT THE SAME TIME COCKING THE CLUB WITH THE RIGHT MIDDLE FINGER FOR THAT EVER REPEATING BACKSWING! Of course, do not forget the extreme grip that I wrote about in the previous recent postings.  It creates the divot.

IMPORTANT (April 9, 2015)

What was discovered here is the essence of the golf swing.  On chip and putts, the axis is the hands is while in a regular swing, the axis is the shoulder.  The pulling force is dependent on the individual.  The main point to remember is the golf swing is the fluid motion of bringing the club up pivoting along the axis with the body feeling the weight of the club.  When the desired moment is reached when the club has stopped its acceleration, the pull of the body is started and the club thrown towards the ball, letting the pulling force be as violent as desired towards the target and then the body closing up to the picture perfect finish.

We must remember that this is the whole objective in the Imperfect Golf Swing - to create this fluid motion of bringing the club up and feeling the weight of the club and pulling and throwing the club head along the ball towards the target and turning the body to the perfect finish at the top.  All the rest, the grip, the stance, etc. are dependent on the capability of the individual to execute this move.

This topic is copied in different postings to remind us of this fact.

How to Slide the Clubhead Under the Ball Effortlessly

The usual hit of the ball by the club makes the ball jump out. How does one slide the clubhead under the ball to impart maximum spin?

Let me just make this clear, when one is trying to hit the ball, which is 99% of the time, one is not trying to impart a spin on the ball intentionally.  However, there is the 1% of the time that one really wants to put extraordinary backspin on the ball to make it stop or reverse.

In order to do this, the club face must slide under the ball, with the club head entering beneath the ball from the left edge and sliding around the ball until it leaves contact on the right edge.  This movement cannot be done intentionally.  It can only be done by centrifugal force - meaning the club is pulled and the head allowed to slice through the ball by the reaction to the pull.

Let me demonstrate how to execute a short pitch with the intent of stopping the ball abruptly.

Take an open stance and hold the club with the extreme style grip explained in the previous chapter. Hold the club to the metal part (this is not essential). The clubface must be at least slightly open to facilitate the clean slicing entry under the ball.

Raise the club with the right hand in a roller coaster motion where it leaves the ball and arcs upwards until the shaft is at least almost parallel to the plane and the butt of the club almost pointing to the target.  When this position is reached, just pull the shaft towards the target until it passes through and around the ball.  A slow motion hit make one feel this slicing motion better.  This type of shot must be learned and experienced.  It feels like one is slicing the butter.

The rule to remember here is the club must be brought back up to the point where the shaft is parallel to the target line and the butt is pulled along that line.

IMPORTANT (April 9, 2015)

What was discovered here is the essence of the golf swing.  On chip and putts, the axis is the hands is while in a regular swing, the axis is the shoulder.  The pulling force is dependent on the individual.  The main point to remember is the golf swing is the fluid motion of bringing the club up pivoting along the axis with the body feeling the weight of the club.  When the desired moment is reached when the club has stopped its acceleration, the pull of the body is started and the club thrown towards the ball, letting the pulling force be as violent as desired towards the target and then the body closing up to the picture perfect finish.

We must remember that this is the whole objective in the Imperfect Golf Swing - to create this fluid motion of bringing the club up and feeling the weight of the club and pulling and throwing the club head along the ball towards the target and turning the body to the perfect finish at the top.  All the rest, the grip, the stance, etc. are dependent on the capability of the individual to execute this move.

This topic is copied in different postings to remind us of this fact.

Divots - a better explanation

Wonder why I cannot make a divot?  It is because I cannot delay the hit to the point where my body position will be in front of the ball.  If my body is in front of the ball when I turn around, the lowest part of the arc of my swing should be able to dig in and create the divot.

Now how do I delay the hit? Use a solid sky looking grip - like the chip grip described in the previous posting.  This grip will promote a bigger turn of the shoulders.  Bigger turn, enough time for the body to clear the ball before the hit.

Actually the bigger turn is not the real answer.  It is hard to put into words.  With the bigger turn, my feeling is as if I need to pull my body back to the ball - not just a turning feeling - but a physical pull back toward the ball... and of course, the turning around after that.

Well, after musing this big turn late hit scenario, what really happens by this type of grip - it actually promote a steeper plane and, therefore, it creates a divot or sort of digs in more. But wait, do not forget that the alive grip is essential, if not important!

Putts, Chips and Pitches - Always a Pull

Now say this again and again.  The golf swing, even though they are putts, chips, or pitches, must always be a pull motion on the forward swing. It is always a pull, stupid!

The right hand can start it on the back swing but the for the forward swing, it is always the body pulling.  It might be a very slight movement as in putts but it is still the body pulling.

In putting the middle finger pulls the putter away from the target like a arrow being pulled from the bow. The visualization is not only for putts but for all shots... up to the driver.

Now let us concentrate on chips and pitches...

It seems that standardizing the setup is important.  From now on the grip is going to be important. The left hand must be almost flat with the backhand almost facing the sky.  The right hand sits snugly on the left hand with the backhand also almost facing the sky.  They form one solid sky facing grips - with the left hand really more pronounced. The left hand in this position promotes a cutting shot, if desired, thus sending the ball higher with a lot of spin. Of course, it can also drag the ball and not cut - when you want the chip to run.  To go further in standardization, hold the club short with the middle right finger resting almost on the metal part of the club.

Alive Grip Revisited

Cradling the club with the right middle finger at setup is sometimes forgotten but actually it is very essential to the whole swing. When the whole weight of the club is cradled by the middle finger:

1. It can be the reminder that the swing is started fully by the right hand.
2. That a line can be imagined to be parallel to the target line.
3. That in putting, the imagined line can be like an arrow being pulled with the bow.
4. That the right hand pulls - but the forward energy is like a bounce back.  It is bounce from the coiled energy created initially by the right hand and continued by the shoulders.  There is no deliberate forward motion at all.
5. On putts, this can just be as subtle as the rebound from the left stiffened forearm muscles!

So what is the message?  That the forward motion is never a forward motion at all but it is a bounced motion.  And this motion is really initiated by a pull motion.

REMEMBER THIS ON PUTTING - very subtle muscle motions but the same as a full swing. Stiffen the left forearms and let the forward motion be a RECOIL motion.

The Golf Swing and the Divot

This is a very important topic and essential to learning the Complete Golf Swing.  So far what I thought I had been learning is already the complete golf swing but now I realized that it has to be complemented by how the divot is executed.

The divot is really the end part of the golf swing which is essentially a chip or a pitch if considered by itself and not part of the full swing.  Let me say this, if a golfer does not know how to stop or put spin to his chips or pitches, he will never know how to make a divot perfectly.

So how do one correctly make a chip or pitch stop abruptly?  Well it is the realization, the the chip or pitch is essential a "pull" of the club-head towards the ball.  The hands are pulled past the ball and the club-head allowed to rebound back to the ball.

How the hands play with the rebound is essentially a different matter.  On chips and pitches, the hands can make the ball roll further, stop on its tracks.

On full shots it can create a divot. AND THE MOVE CREATING A DIVOT IS THE FINISH OF THE GOLF SWING! It is the replacement to my "face the target" move.  It is the delayed hit!  IT IS THE SECRET OF THE PROS! It creates the spin that pulls the ball back.  It is the part of the swing that adds the distance to the hit. It replaces my right hip move.

The Caddie Tip - The Secret to My Swing

The caddie, I only know him as Jun 13, found something missing in my swing.  He noticed that I do not finish my swing. He demonstrated to turn the right hip at the end of my swing and face the target. At first at the driving range this was hard for me to execute.  However, the next time I went to the driving range, I started concentrating on cocking the club.  Cocking the club actually automatically forced me to unwind so that it was easy to just turn around my hips and finish as he suggested.  It worked.  When I played at Tagaytay Midlands with Vic Fernandez, Bong Obligacion and Joey Solis - I immediately found that confidence and played well from tee to green.  Of course, I still have the around-the-green problem so I did not really scored well.

If there is anything that I can call the secret to my swing, it should be the full cocking on every shot.  It actually twist my shoulders automatically and at the same time makes an automatic full.  When the downswing is automatically initiated, it is just a matter of twisting my right hips towards the target. I should remember that the right hips is really the game changer tip but I cannot execute it without the fully cocking left hand (and the ensuing shoulder twist).

The caddie also noticed my excessive waggle but I decided not to correct this as I am so attached to it already and it is not really a fault but maybe just a bad habit. He also showed me how to chip - making sure my weight is on my left foot and the ball position more on the right.  I have to practice this still as I really have not found out the right way to do this.

The Swing Imagined As a Closing Door

I already have a good swing.  However, I have this problem of topping the ball.  I cannot seem to be able to naturally get a divot.  I always struggle with this, my club coming back behind the ball or topping the ball.  Never a consistent depth, so to say.

One of the things I work on is fully cocking the club with the left hand until it pulls my left shoulder. This works and the club really digs in but I tend not to do this full cocking every time.  Another thing is full cocking is really not needed in every shot.

One of the things I have been tinkering on is imagining the swing like a door. Bring the club up along the open door (ala Nicklaus) and at the top, just slam the door shut.  This means that the ball is hit while the body is already past the ball - which may be the correct way.  We will see. Time will tell.

Well, here it is, day 2.  This idea of a closing door has some merit but it does not feel natural to me. However, seeing a swing of Rory McIlroy on the TV commercial of Rolex watch, reminded me about his right hip being the engine of his swing. His right hip moves first and the upper body just follows.

To make the story short, if I bring up the club up to the point where the right forearm and biceps are fully anchored on my right side - like a door fully opened -  I can actually bring my right hip forward and around, the club is pulled in automatically with that NATURAL feeling.  In addition, the clubhead comes back to the ground on the same spot it was on setup.  What else can I ask for?  This discovery seems to be a natural progression to the one I was writing about in the previous posting - so this is how I should play right now - the Rory McIlroy's way.

Just remember, the important thing here is the upswing finishing with the right upper body (right side) feeling the arms (biceps) very tucked in on the right side and with a feeling of very well connection (like glued) to the body (and therefore, the right hip).  So when the right hip starts, I can feel my arm, the club and everything being pulled by it - and bang - big hit and divot!

Golf, Ready, Set, Go

What could be the best way to remember how the golf swing should be executed.  It should also be a reminder that is so simple enough that you can use it while you are playing golf... that is, if you are forgetting how to play golf while playing.  This situation has happened to all of us a lot of time.  What could we do to fix the problem?  Well this might be one way of doing it.  Just remember to say to yourself, "Golf ready, set, Go!"

Golf

On this topic, we should always remember the set-up.  Go through the correct grip, stance, etc.  Do not put too much emphasis on this topic.  I myself just want to make sure that my grip is solid, the left hand more on the neutral position.  I like to slightly drop my right shoulder and check my club angle in order to avoid skulling the ball (my tendency as a result of a flat swing).

Ready

Here I will be thinking first of starting the takeaway with the left hand on a steep trajectory - along the same alignment as the two feet, almost pointing the club upward - twelve o'clock when cocked (see Set below).  Pretty much, I imagine the golf plane to be steeper.  This word reminds me that the left arm takes the club up - along the same alignment of the two feet.

Set

Set to me means that I have to cock the club at the top - still with the left hand and wrist.  It is worthwhile to mention that the takeaway is all done with the left arm and left wrist/hand.  Also, the cocking is done almost pointing perpendicular - twelve o'clock -  to the ground as I tend to be flat on my plane.  Having a flat plane leads to skulling the balls.  Having a steeper plane promotes the divot.

It is also noteworthy to mention that the takeaway is a smooth pronating movement of the clubhead from the ball to the cocking at the top - very connected feeling... all orchestrated by the left hand (pronating along the steep plane).   THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE THE TAKEAWAY IS ALSO A PULLING FORCE.  THE LEFT HAND STARTS ON THE GRIP GOING UP AND SMOOTHLY PULLS THE CLUBHEAD UP UNTIL IT REACHES THE TOP - SOMETHING LIKE A SLING ACTION BUT SMOOTHLY DONE.

Go!

Go means "Go SPIN The Body!"  The forward swing is never done with the arms or the hands.  It is all the upper body spinning around and pulling the arms and the club up the picture perfect finish.  IT IS THE SPIN, STUPID! The force comes from the spin or turn and pulling action of the upper body - not the hips as envisioned before.  RORY DOES IT THIS WAY!

DO NOT FORGET

Everything in golf is a pulling action.  The TAKEAWAY is a good example - as explained above.  However, the golf hit although it is a pulling action is not particularly done by pulling but by spinning the body (a pull but not just a pull).  Also, since the main force is the pull, particular attention must be rendered on having a solid grip.

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.